Manila, Aug. 19 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to conduct a study on the palay (unhusked rice) varieties that will match consumers' preferences.

This came after Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the DA to address the reported low farmgate prices of wet palay in some areas due to the shifting preference of the Filipino market.

In a press briefing Monday, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said they will include the quality of imported rice varieties in the study, as it gains a growing demand in the Philippines.

"Pag-aralan mabuti kung paano. Una kung ano iyong pinakamagandang variety na itanim talaga to match iyong mga (We need to carefully study the way. First, on what is the best varie...