Philippines Agriculture Department intensifies fight against counterfeit farm inputs

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture is escalating efforts to eliminate counterfeit, unregistered, and adulterated farm inputs from the Philippine market, following significant seizures of illegal products in Nueva Ecija province.

Authorities confiscated approximately 778 bags of substandard fertilizer valued at roughly P748,150 during two recent enforcement operations in the agricultural region. The haul underscores widespread distribution of fake farming supplies that threaten crop productivity and farmer incomes across the country.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has instructed the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to intensify crackdown operations, signaling a renewed commitment to protecting farmers from fraudulent agricultural products. The move addresses growing concerns over counterfeit inputs entering the supply chain, which compromise soil quality and reduce harvest yields.

The department has not specified additional details regarding the timeline or scope of the expanded enforcement campaign. Officials emphasized that combating illegal farm inputs remains a priority in safeguarding agricultural productivity and ensuring farmer welfare across the region.