Peru: PCM and Midagri coordinate measures to address rice crisis

Photo: Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Peru

Photo: Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Peru

13:54 | Lima, May. 28.

The Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM), in coordination with the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), convened a multisectoral dialogue roundtable to address rice producers' demands and advance the drafting of an urgency decree that will establish extraordinary economic measures in response to the sector’s crisis.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Executive Branch, regional governors, and rice producer organizations from various regions across Peru amid the ongoing strike affecting the sector.

Measures

Agrarian Development and Irrigation Minister Felipe Meza announced that the upcoming urgency decree will include the exceptional purchase of rice directly from family farming producers.

The government official specified that more than S/100 million (above US$29 million) is expected to be allocated for this measure, with the aim of directly benefiting small-scale farmers while bypassing intermediaries.

The Cabinet member added that Midagri will be in charge of validating the producer registries.

Meanwhile, Deputy Territorial Governance Minister Francisco Gavidia announced that a Supreme Decree will be signed in the coming days to strengthen the oversight role of the National Institute for the Defense of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property (Indecopi) and the Supervisory Agency for Investment in Energy and Mining (Osinergmin) in response to potential distortions in the fuel price market.

In turn, the Midagri head indicated that the urgency decree will include the transfer of S/50 million (about US$14.65 million) to regional governments for the cleaning and maintenance of irrigation canals through executing units and water users' boards, as a preventive measure against Global El Niño.

Additionally, he noted that biofertilizer units will be implemented.

The extraction and use of guano from islands will also be promoted to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers such as urea.

(END) NDP/ETA/RMCH/MVB

Published: 5/28/2026