Philippines: Agri dep’t sets eligibility rules for biofertilizer distribution program
Business World
2023.05.01
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has determined the criteria for farmers eligible to receive biofertilizer grants, adding that the volume to be distributed is equivalent to at least two bags of inorganic urea fertilizer.
In a memorandum order dated April 27, the program covers the 2023-2024 rice crop. It is designed to complement the use of inorganic fertilizer, the supply of which has tightened after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia is the world’s leading fertilizer producer but has been hampered from exporting by sanctions.
“The quantity of biofertilizer to be distributed or received by the farmer-beneficiary will be based on the area to be planted that was provided with seed under the seed assistance program,” the DA said.
The Palace has said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who is also the secretary of Agriculture, wants to increase biofertilizers to reduce dependence on imported fertilizer.
“High prices of inputs, especially fertilizer pose a great threat to our rice production. To conquer this threat, the use of alternative inputs such as biofertilizer can be done to mitigate the impacts,” according to a DA memo.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has determined the criteria for farmers eligible to receive biofertilizer grants, adding that the volume to be distributed is equivalent to at least two bags of inorganic urea fertilizer.
In a memorandum order dated April 27, the program covers the 2023-2024 rice crop. It is designed to complement the use of inorganic fertilizer, the supply of which has tightened after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia is the world’s leading fertilizer producer but has been hampered from exporting by sanctions.
“The quantity of biofertilizer to be distributed or received by the farmer-beneficiary will be based on the area to be planted that was provided with seed under the seed assistance program,” the DA said.
The Palace has said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who is also the secretary of Agriculture, wants to increase biofertilizers to reduce dependence on imported fertilizer.
“High prices of inputs, especially fertilizer pose a great threat to our rice production. To conquer this threat, the use of alternative inputs such as biofertilizer can be done to mitigate the impacts,” according to a DA memo.
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