DA steps up crackdown on fake, illegal farm inputs

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is stepping up its crackdown on counterfeit, unregistered, adulterated and illegally manufactured farm inputs after authorities seized at least 778 bags of fertilizer worth about P748,150 in two operations in Nueva Ecija.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. directed the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to intensify market surveillance and enforcement against agricultural inputs being sold outside regulatory requirements, including those offered through online marketplaces and physical stores.

“Fertilizer is an investment for our farmers. When fake or substandard products are sold to them, it is not just their money that is lost. Their harvest and livelihood are at stake,” Laurel said.

READ: DA makes P210.9-M farm aid available amid Luis, Maymay, Neneng

He also directed the FPA to pursue those allegedly involved in the production and distribution of illegal agricultural inputs.

“We will protect our farmers and legitimate businesses. We are directing the FPA to intensify market surveillance and enforcement against counterfeit, unregistered, adulterated, and illegally manufactured agricultural inputs,” he said.

Over 700 fertilizer bags seized

The enforcement action stemmed from a July 15 entrapment operation conducted by the Philippine National Police-Talavera Municipal Police Station, with technical assistance from the FPA Regional Field Unit III.

The operation followed a complaint from ROVA Manufacturing over the alleged sale of counterfeit fertilizer products.

Authorities documented 260 bags during the Talavera operation before being led to a suspected unregistered warehouse and manufacturing facility in Barangay Sta. Monica, Rizal, where they found another 518 bags of fertilizer products.

The two operations yielded a combined 778 bags valued at P748,150, according to the DA.

At the Sta. Monica facility, authorities recorded 74 bags of ROVA Carlly Grow, 113 bags of PLANTA and 331 bags of King Harvest. The products reportedly carried the same FPA Registration No. 1-1LF-9147.

The FPA subsequently issued Stop Sale, Stop Use, Stop Move and Hold orders covering the products while the investigation and related legal and administrative proceedings continue.

FPA Executive Director Glenn DC. Estrada said the agency would continue pursuing products that could affect farmers and legitimate agricultural businesses.

“We are serious in our campaign against the proliferation of these adulterated and unregistered products that hurt not only legitimate businesses but also our farmers and overall farm productivity,” Estrada said.

READ: 5 fertilizer firms suspended, face probe for violations

The DA said the FPA is expected to strengthen intelligence-led inspections, increase monitoring of digital sales channels and coordinate with the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and local governments to identify and shut down illicit operations.

“The broader enforcement push comes as the agriculture sector seeks to improve productivity while keeping input markets reliable. For farmers, the risk is not merely paying for a questionable product. An ineffective or improperly manufactured fertilizer can waste scarce capital, disrupt production, and ultimately hurt yields,” the DA said.

The department said the enforcement campaign is intended to protect farmers from potential losses from ineffective or substandard inputs while ensuring that legitimate manufacturers and dealers are not disadvantaged by operators that bypass regulatory requirements.

The DA stressed that the case remains under investigation and subject to due process, with responsibility to be determined through the appropriate legal and administrative proceedings. /jpv