Quezon city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. disclosed on Tuesday that he has directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure the faster delivery of farm inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides nationwide. In an open forum at the 2026 National Irrigation Administration (NIA) - National Confederation of Irrigators Association (NCIA) General Assembly at the NIA Headquarters in Diliman, Quezon City, Marcos pledged to expedite the delivery of farm inputs to prevent delays in planting and crop losses, which are often caused by centralized procurement and distribution systems.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized the need for early procurement of inputs to ensure their availability when planting seasons commence. The President noted that imported inputs often experience significant delays before reaching farming communities. Farmers from Mindanao and the Visayas expressed relief at this directive, highlighting that previous delays had resulted in wastage of inputs and missed planting windows.
Marcos underscored the necessity of procuring and storing fertilizers and pesticides in advance of planting seasons to avoid shortages. Additionally, he highlighted the role of mechanization, technical assistance, and digital tools in monitoring irrigation and input requirements. The President believes that these measures will enhance productivity, minimize wastage, and better allocate resources to farmers.
In addressing stakeholder feedback, Marcos stressed the importance of listening to farmers and irrigators to improve agricultural services. He acknowledged that understanding the complaints and solutions from these groups allows the government to act more effectively. NCIA president Remy Albano expressed gratitude to Marcos for supporting over 1.3 million farmers across 11,813 irrigators associations, citing government-provided machinery, harvest facilities, rice processing systems, and solar-powered irrigation pumps as key factors in improving farmers' livelihoods.
During the forum, several irrigators highlighted ongoing issues such as delayed delivery of farm inputs and challenges in communal irrigation management. Marcos asserted that these concerns underscore the need for close coordination with irrigators and the use of technology for improved planning and distribution. He assured farmers that national agencies, including NIA and the DA, would continue to offer support through initiatives like the rehabilitation of irrigation systems and the development of new infrastructure for enhanced local water management.
Marcos concluded by emphasizing the importance of open dialogue with farmers to achieve agriculture and food security in the Philippines. He urged irrigators to keep sharing their experiences and concerns to enable the government to address them promptly and efficiently.
