THE Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives said the planned SRP should be reasonable and not too low.

FFC made the reaction in response to the plan of the Agriculture Department to impose a suggested retail price on rice.

According to the group, while the low SRP would not immediately impact farmers, there is a possibility that the consequences will affect them during the next harvest.

"Although, right now, hindi maaapektuhan ang farmers, pagdating sa next harvest season babawi ang mga trader," explained Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives National Manager Raul Montemayor said.

"Yung farmer ang kawawa. Babawiin ng mga trader yung loses nila by buying palay at a low price," he added.

Meanwhile, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), noted that an SRP can affect the rice importation.

"Ang daigdigang presyo ng bigas eh talagang mataas," said SINAG President Rosendo So. 

"Itong February kasi, more or less, majority ng nasa merkado niyan is sabihin natin aabot ng 50% to 60% eh yung imported na nandoon sa merkado,” they added.