SAN JOSE, Antique – The National Food Authority reminded rice dealers anew to renew their licenses this month until June to avoid penalties.

The NFA noted that for this month, businessmen from the towns of Anini-y, Tobias Fornier and Hamtic can renew their licenses while those from the towns of Valderrama and San Remegio can renew their licenses on June.

Said businessmen can renew their licenses either at NFA Provincial Office here or at Culasi Grains Center at Brgy. Caridad, Culasi.

NFA Antique Manager Hedy Jardeleza said the palay procurement in the province is ongoing.

For this year, Antique targets to procure P175,000 bags of palay with a total cost of P153.17 million, including incentive fees.

To date, the NFA purchased a total of 9,776 bags costing a total amount of P8.35 million.

The report noted that Culasi delivered the highest volume of palay to NFA.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture moved its rice self-sufficiency target from 2013 to 2014. The DA, however, expressed optimism that the country can start exporting rice by next year.*PIA