Palay (unmilled rice) INQUIRER file photo The National Food Authority (NFA) increased its palay (unmilled rice) purchases by more than 400 percent in September, although it fell short of its target procurement due to good harvest and competitive buy

MANILA, Philippines Severe Tropical Storm Kristine will hurt the countrys total palay production as the Department of Agriculture (DA) awaits reports on damage to the sector, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday. Unfortunately, the effe