THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it would conduct a nationwide ground survey of farm beneficiaries regarding allegations of substandard seeds, low-quality fertilizers and defective machinery distributed through its programs.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he was taking farmer groups’ complaints seriously even if no irregularities have been uncovered in audits.
“We want to hear from actual beneficiaries. If there is a problem in after-sales service or a defect in the equipment, that would appear in the survey,” Tiu Laurel said, noting that the DA cannot rely on unsubstantiated claims amid graft and corruption allegations.
The survey will cover recipients of machinery, postharvest facilities, seeds and fertilizers from the DA and its attached agencies such as the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization. Farmers and cooperatives will be asked about equipment performance, availability of spare parts, after-sales service and overall satisfaction.
Tiu Laurel refuted claims that the DA’s procurement processes favored a single supplier since machinery distributed through its programs were sourced from several global brands like Kubota and Yanmar, and rice processing technologies from the Buhler Group and Satake.
However, he acknowledged reports of isolated machine breakdowns, including a combine harvester from a Chinese brand. The reports will be reviewed and the DA will impose penalties or blacklist suppliers with weak service networks and contract violations, Tiu Laurel said.
As for the seeds and fertilizers, he said the DA had an improved system using intervention monitoring cards instead of a voucher system.
The enhanced system ensures transparency and accountability in seed and fertilizer assistance, Tiu Laurel noted, adding that the DA will pilot the system in Southern Leyte this year with plans for a nationwide rollout in 2027 if national-level implementation proves feasible.
The DA’s Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority conducted a separate investigation before the order for a nationwide ground survey, Tiu Laurel said. Two fertilizer firms in Region 13 (Caraga Region) were found violating rules and would be sued, he added.
The ground survey will be completed this month with a formal report to be submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Congressional oversight committees after Holy Week.
“We are not sweeping anything under the rug,” said Tiu Laurel. “If there are shortcomings or wrongdoings, we will address them.”
