Manila: Millions of Filipino farmers have benefited from the continuous agricultural production support of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported, citing extensive assistance through seedlings, machinery, fertilizer subsidies, and crop insurance.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said these efforts have translated into higher mechanization levels of rice farms in the country. The increased mechanization has helped the country's horsepower rating approach the levels seen in other ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries.
As of February 16, the country's mechanization level reached 2.78 horsepower per hectare (hp/ha), improving from 2.68 in 2022 and 2.31 in 2013, based on data from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech). The mechanization level is a measure of agricultural modernization.
Although countries like Japan and China have higher mechanization levels of 6 to 7 horsepower per hectare, the Philippines is making progress towards the ASEAN standard. The Marcos administration aims to elevate the country's mechanization level to 3.40 hp/ha under the amended Rice Tariffication Law through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), moving closer to the 4 hp/ha target for the Philippines.
To date, PHilMech has distributed 30,092 units of farm production machinery, including rice combine harvesters and four-wheel tractors. Other government interventions include distributing 98 million kilograms of free seedlings for rice, corn, and high-value crops, and providing over PHP23 billion worth of fertilizer aid to boost local production.
The DA has distributed fertilizer discount vouchers since July 2022, benefiting 5.66 million farmers. Additionally, 4,775 rice processing systems, post-harvest, and processing facilities have been given to 4,465 farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs). Drones for precision seeding have also been provided.
In terms of insurance, almost 12 million Filipino farmers have benefited from policy payments from 2022 to early 2025. The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has covered losses for almost 5 million hectares of rice production, 1.63 million hectares of corn, nearly 6 million heads of poultry and livestock, and 1.65 million hectares of high-value crops.
