DA launches nationwide survey of farmers amid probe into farm input issues
Manila – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered a nationwide survey of farmer-beneficiaries as the Department of Agriculture (DA) intensifies its investigation into reports of substandard seeds, questionable fertilizer grades, and unreliable farm machinery distributed under government programs.
In a statement Thursday, Tiu Laurel said the agency is taking the reports seriously, even though regular audits have not found irregularities across existing agricultural programs.
The planned ground survey aims to gather verified information directly from beneficiaries and determine the actual conditions surrounding the implementation of DA assistance programs.
The region-by-region survey will cover farmers and groups that received farm machinery, post-harvest facilities, seeds, and fertilizers distributed by the DA and its attached agencies.
“We want to hear from the actual beneficiaries,” Tiu Laurel said, adding that any issues involving defective equipment or poor after-sales service are expected to surface during the survey.
He assured the public that the department would act on any problems identified through the assessment.
“We are not sweeping anything under the rug. If there are shortcomings or wrongdoings, we will address them,” he said.
The agriculture chief also warned that suppliers providing poor services or violating contractual agreements could face penalties, including blacklisting from future government projects.
Tiu Laurel earlier acknowledged an isolated case involving the breakdown of a Chinese-brand combine harvester, which is currently under review.
However, he rejected claims that the government had favored a single supplier for farm machinery, noting that equipment procurement includes various global brands such as Kubota, Yanmar, as well as rice processing technologies from Bühler Group and Satake Corporation.
Meanwhile, the DA has begun implementing Intervention Monitoring Cards (IMCs) as part of an improved system designed to enhance transparency and accountability in distributing fertilizer assistance.
The program will be piloted this year in Southern Leyte, with a nationwide rollout planned in 2027 if the system proves effective.
NPO News Team | Philippines News Agency – PR
