The Department of Agriculture (DA) is stepping up its fight against counterfeit and unregistered farm inputs after authorities seized at least 778 bags of fertilizer worth P748,150 from two sites in Nueva Ecija.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to strengthen market surveillance and enforcement, including monitoring physical stores and online marketplaces where questionable agricultural products may be sold.

“Fertilizer is an investment for our farmers. When fake or substandard products are sold to them, it is not just their money that is lost. Their harvest and livelihood are at stake,” Tiu Laurel said.

The case started with a 15 July entrapment operation by the Philippine National Police-Talavera Municipal Police Station, with technical assistance from FPA Regional Field Unit III, following a complaint from ROVA Manufacturing over alleged counterfeit fertilizer sales.

The operation led authorities to a suspected unregistered warehouse and manufacturing facility in Barangay Sta. Monica, Rizal, where additional fertilizer products were found and inventoried.

Authorities documented 260 bags during the Talavera operation and another 518 bags at the Sta. Monica facility. The latter included 74 bags of ROVA Carlly Grow, 113 bags of PLANTA and 331 bags of King Harvest, all reportedly carrying the same FPA Registration No. 1-1LF-9147.

The FPA issued Stop Sale, Stop Use, Stop Move and Hold orders covering the products while investigations and legal proceedings continue.

“We are serious in our campaign against the proliferation of these adulterated and unregistered products that hurt not only legitimate businesses but also our farmers and overall farm productivity,” FPA Executive Director Glenn DC. Estrada said.

Tiu Laurel said the FPA will work with the police, National Bureau of Investigation and local governments to identify and shut down illegal operations.

The DA stressed that the case remains under investigation and that liability will be determined through due process.