DA issues guidelines for fertilizer discount

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued the implementing guidelines for the distribution of P5.85 billion worth of fertilizer discount vouchers for rice farmers under the National Rice Program (NRP).

In a memorandum order issued by Agriculture Secretary William Dar, the DA said the discount vouchers would be distributed in selected rice-producing municipalities and provinces for this year’s cropping seasons.

“This activity aims to ensure the timely availability of the needed fertilizer for rice production in the targeted areas through the distribution of fertilizer discount vouchers,” the DA said.

Under the project, the fertilizer discount vouchers shall be used by the farmer beneficiaries to claim the fertilizers at accredited merchants.

The discount voucher shall have a value equivalent to P1,131 per hectare for areas planted with inbred seeds, and P2,262 per hectare for hybrid.

According to the DA, the discount vouchers are one-time use only and may be claimed at any accredited fertilizer merchants in their preferred area.

With a total budget of P5.85 billion, the fertilizer discount voucher program is targeted to cover 2.9 million hectares of rice land. Of the total, P2.59 billion will be alloted for areas planted with hybrid seeds targeted at a total of 1.1 million hectares.

In contrast, P3.3 billion is allocated for inbred seeds, with a targeted area of 1.83 million hectares.

“The DA recognizes the importance of fertilizer application in order to fully maximize the yield potential of a crop or plant. Thus, fertilizer distribution has been one of the activities supported in recent years by the DA Banner Programs to aid farmers in increasing farm productivity and their income, the DA said.

“However, with the challenges posted by pandemic on prices and logistics, the Department of Agriculture has continued to find innovative ways to provide access to fertilizers to its farmers, one of which is the distribution of the fertilizer discount vouchers,” it said.

The fertilizer vouchers aim to aid rice farmers in the country amid the continued rise in fertilizer prices.

Latest data from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) showed that the average retail price of prilled urea registered at P2,522.51 per 50-kilo bag as of Feb. 28 to March 4.

This is more than double the P1,080.48 per 50-kilo bag price in the same period last year.

Fertilizer prices in the international market have been rising since May last year mainly due to larger demand from countries, as well as higher freight cost.