Farmers surveyed on quality of farm aid

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it ordered a comprehensive survey of farmers to gauge the quality of aid distributed by the government following complaints from dissatisfied beneficiaries service.

The survey will cover recipients of machinery, post-harvest facilities, seed, and fertilizer distributed by the DA and its agencies, including the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.

Farmers and cooperatives will be asked about equipment performance, spare parts availability, after-sales service, and overall satisfaction with the products received.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the investigation was prompted by complaints from a farmers’ group, though he noted that regular audits have not turned up systemic irregularities.

“If there are shortcomings or wrongdoings, we will address them,” Mr. Laurel said.

The DA’s Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority is currently preparing legal proceedings against two fertilizer companies in the Caraga Region.

Mr. Laurel also rejected claims that procurement favored a single supplier, pointing out that farm machinery has been obtained from various international brands such as Kubota and Yanmar, while rice processing equipment came from Buhler Group and Satake.

He acknowledged reports regarding isolated equipment failures, including a Chinese-brand combine harvester mentioned in reports, adding that each incident would undergo review.

The investigation is scheduled to conclude by the end of March, with an official report to be presented to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Congressional agriculture oversight committees.

The DA also intends to test Intervention Monitoring Cards for fertilizer assistance in Southern Leyte this year, with the possibility of expanding the program nationwide in 2027 if it clears trials.

Mr. Laurel said the cards would provide a more transparent and accountable mechanism for delivering fertilizer assistance, though he rejected proposals for a voucher-based seed system.

In a briefing on Wednesday, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and Spokesman Arnel V. de Mesa said that the investigation will cover all regions, commodities, programs, subjects, and procurement activities.

“What the Secretary doesn’t want is anecdotal evidence. There’s one or two complaints. What the Secretary wants to know is whether this is widespread or if it’s really just sporadic,” Mr. de Mesa said.

In February, the Federation of Free Farmers and MAGSASAKA Party-List issued a joint statement reporting that beneficiaries had flagged issues with inferior inputs and equipment, such as seed with poor germination rates, inappropriate fertilizer varieties, and machinery with inadequate after-sales service.

The groups added that numerous government-funded rice mills and processing facilities have been left idle or underused because recipients lack sufficient operating funds or the capacity to manage them. — Pierce Oel A. Montalvo