The Department of Agriculture is expanding the use of organic fertilizers made from chicken manure and other biodegradable materials, supported by processing facilities being developed in Batangas and Nueva Ecija.
The initiative comes as farmers grapple with elevated prices of synthetic fertilizers, which have eroded margins and discouraged optimal input use. By contrast, organic alternatives are being positioned as both a cost-saving measure and a way to restore soil health—an issue widely seen as a drag on yields.
Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro on Wednesday, April 30, during a courtesy call by the Katarungan farmers and fisherfolk group, told the farmers and fishermen that at the center of the DA strategy to help farmers is a push to reduce dependence on costly farm inputs while rebuilding productivity.
During the meeting, Navarro outlined before the Katarungan group how the DA is recalibrating its programs to address long-standing inefficiencies in Philippine agriculture.
Navarro also pointed to efforts to reshape consumption patterns while widening market opportunities for producers. Among these is the promotion of a 50:50 mix of rice and corn grits as a more affordable and nutritious staple for Filipino households.
The proposal, he said, is designed to ease pressure on rice demand—often a politically sensitive commodity—while creating more stable demand for domestically produced corn.
On the supply side, Navarro said the Philippines is expecting donations of corn seeds from nearby countries. Selected farmer groups may be tapped as pilot beneficiaries, tasked with propagating improved varieties that could raise yields without requiring significant upfront investment.
Targeted interventions are likewise being extended to the coconut sector. Navarro encouraged a shift toward coconut oil over palm oil, citing both health benefits and the potential to strengthen local industry demand. He added that some coconut farmers may receive salt inputs to support production, reflecting a more commodity-specific approach to assistance.
Navarro also urged cooperatives to sharpen their business focus. Rather than managing multiple ventures, he said groups could improve efficiency and returns by specializing in services such as tractors and farm machinery—areas that directly support productivity and reduce labor constraints.
The Katarungan Group, a DA partner under the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation Program, used the meeting to also raise concerns from its members and follow up on pending support requests nationwide.
“These initiatives are part of the broader agenda of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to pursue a more integrated and cost-efficient approach that delivers tangible gains for farmers and fisherfolk,” Navarro said.
