Filipino Farmers: Kiko Says P20 Rice Not Sustainable
3 min read
APRIL 23,2025
MANILA, Philippines – Former Senator and long-time agriculture advocate Kiko Pangilinan expressed concern on Wednesday over the sustainability of the government’s plan to sell P20 per kilo rice across the country, saying it’s only feasible if Filipino farmers receive more robust support to improve their rice yields.
The Department of Agriculture recently announced a pilot rollout of P20 rice in select areas of the Visayas, aiming for nationwide availability by the end of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028. The initiative stems from one of Marcos’ campaign promises in 2022, though he later clarified it as an “aspiration” rather than a guaranteed target.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said rice at P20 per kilo, which was one of his campaign promises, will soon become a reality. WAY BACK 2022
But according to Pangilinan, without tackling the root causes behind low productivity and insufficient support for farmers, the program may not go far.
“Obviously, hindi marami ang makikinabang diyan,” he said in an interview. “The key is still to increase farmers’ yield. Rice prices stay high because supply is lacking.”
Rice Price Drop Needs More Than Just a Pilot Program
Pangilinan, who served as food security czar during President Benigno Aquino III’s administration, said that while some Filipinos will benefit from the initial rollout, it is ultimately just a stop-gap measure. What’s needed, he emphasized, is a long-term solution to ensure food security and farmer welfare in the Philippines.
“Why are our farmers not productive? Why are their harvests low? Why isn’t the government giving enough support for them to grow enough rice?” Pangilinan asked. “That’s still the real key.”
Filipino Farmers-Competitive Pricing and Cutting Out the Middlemen
While affordable rice is essential to Filipino families, Pangilinan warned that the P20 per kilo rice price point is not financially sustainable in the long term. He suggests a more realistic target price, such as P30 to P45 per kilo, could still benefit consumers without putting farmers at a loss.
“We can’t afford P60 per kilo either—that’s too high. But bringing it down to a reasonable range will still make a difference. What matters most is ensuring that the government buys directly from farmers at competitive prices.”
He emphasized that cutting out middlemen—who often manipulate prices to their advantage—can significantly reduce rice costs while ensuring fair compensation for farmers. By purchasing directly, the government can offer rice at more affordable prices and save money in the long run compared to sourcing from commercial traders.
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Crack Down on Price-Gouging Traders
In addition to increasing farmer support and reforming the supply chain, Pangilinan called for stricter action against unscrupulous rice traders who exploit the system.
“These traders buy rice at very low prices from our farmers and then sell it at a much higher price,” he said. “That’s economic sabotage. They should be charged and made an example of. Remember, economic sabotage is a non-bailable offense.”
By cracking down on these exploitative practices, Pangilinan believes the government can protect both consumers and farmers while working toward a more sustainable rice economy.
Takeaway: While the idea of P20 per kilo rice is appealing, sustainable rice pricing in the Philippines depends on addressing low yield, inadequate support for rice farmers, and inefficiencies in the supply chain. True food security won’t come from temporary price drops but from empowering farmers and ensuring a fair system from field to table.
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