Manila, Jan. 1 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) will focus on ensuring fair palay prices, expanding the PHP20-per-kilo rice program and fast-tracking farm-to-market roads (FMRs) construction as its top priorities in 2026.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said these measures are crucial to sustaining rice production, keeping food affordable and improving farmers' access to markets.

"The most urgent task is maintaining fair palay prices to keep rice farming profitable and secure our staple supply," Tiu Laurel said in a press release on Thursday.

To support farmers, the DA will continue the National Food Authority's procurement at PHP17 per kilo for wet palay and PHP21 per kilo for dry palay.

The agency has also coordi...