April 23, 2009

Philippine corn farmers have sought the support from the government to protect and uplift the corn industry at the 6th Philippine National Corn Congress.

Among the resolutions include the request for the Philippine government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Tariff Commission, to suspend the free tariff extended to feed wheat importation.

The corn farmers said the shortfall in corn production had forced the government to declare free tariff on feed wheat.

While another resolution requests the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to grant the Philippine Maize Federation Inc. (PhilMaize) an application to set up corn farmers' cooperative banks.

Their third resolution seeks to reconsider and approve the motion of the PhilMaize to increase the support price of corn at P13 per kilogram.

Organisers explained that this resolution is addressed to the DA and the National Food Authority (NFA).

They also requested the national government through the DA to increase the support fund for corn in preparation for the implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) in 2010.