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.
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.
“Nakatulong ito para mapataas iyong horsepower rating ng ating bansa na ngayon ay humahabol na doon sa level almost 3 horsepower rating ng mga (It helped increase the horsepower rating of our country that now follows the level of almost 3 horsepower rating of) the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries,” he told the integrated state media.
As of Feb. 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 Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) data.
The level of farm mechanization measures the degree of agricultural modernization in a country.
“Bagamat iyong Japan, China nasa level ng 6, 7 pero (Although Japan and China are in the level of 6 and 7, but) we’re at least at par na doon sa ating mga (with) ASEAN neighbors. So, ito yung malaking bagay (it’s a huge thing),” de Mesa said.
The Marcos administration seeks 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), closer to the 4 hp/ha target mechanization in the Philippines.
To date, the PHilMech has distributed 30,092 units of farm production machinery, including rice combine harvesters and four-wheel tractors.
Other government interventions to help farmers include the distribution of 98 million kilograms of free seedlings for rice, corn, and high-value crops.
More than PHP23 billion worth of fertilizer aid has also been granted to farmers, helping them boost local production.
“Namahagi tayo through fertilizer discount voucher natin from July 2022 hanggang ngayon na 2025. 5.66 million farmers iyong nabahaginan natin ng libreng pataba (We have distributed through our fertilizer discount voucher from July 2022 until 2025. 5.66 million farmers have accessed this free fertilizer),” de Mesa said.
Besides these, 4,775 rice processing systems, post-harvest, and processing facilities were also given to 4,465 farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs).
Drones for precision seeding were also granted to the sector, de Mesa added.
In terms of insurance, almost 12 million Filipino farmers have benefited from policy payments from 2022 to early 2025.
“Nasa 11.7 million farmers na iyong nagkaroon ng (Around 11.7 million farmers secured access to) insurance payments worth PHP390 billion,” de Mesa said.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) covered losses incurred in almost 5 million hectares for rice production, 1.63 million hectares in corn, almost 6 million heads of poultry and livestock, and 1.65 million hectares for high-value crops. (PNA)