The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered a nationwide ground survey of farmer-beneficiaries to verify complaints about allegedly substandard seeds, questionable fertilizer quality, and unreliable farm machinery distributed through government programs.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the survey aims to gather direct feedback from farmers and cooperatives about the equipment and supplies they received, including machinery performance, availability of spare parts, after-sales service, and overall satisfaction.
The DA said the move is part of a deeper investigation following complaints from farmer groups and allegations of corruption. Tiu Laurel stressed that the agency needs verified data from actual beneficiaries and cannot rely solely on unconfirmed complaints.
Even before the survey begins, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority has already investigated two fertilizer companies in the Caraga region and is preparing legal action for alleged violations.
The survey will cover recipients of machinery, post-harvest facilities, seeds, and fertilizers distributed by the DA and its attached agencies, including the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.
Tiu Laurel said the review will also examine reports of equipment breakdowns and supplier performance. Companies that fail to meet contract obligations or provide poor service could face penalties or possible blacklisting.
The agriculture chief aims to complete the probe within March and submit a formal report to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and congressional agriculture oversight committees after Holy Week.
Aside from the investigation, the DA is also improving how fertilizer assistance is delivered. The agency has introduced an Intervention Monitoring Card system to track distribution more transparently. A pilot test will be conducted in Southern Leyte this year, with a nationwide rollout planned in 2027 if the system proves effective.
For farmers and rural communities, the survey could help identify problems in government farm aid programs and ensure that equipment, seeds, and fertilizers being distributed are reliable and properly supported. The results may lead to stronger monitoring, better suppliers, and more accountable use of public funds intended to support agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods.
