The Philippines remains on track to maintain food security in the coming months despite global uncertainties caused by the conflict in the Middle East, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Tuesday.
Addressing concerns over potential spikes in food prices during a forum organized by the Makati Business Club, Laurel emphasized that current harvests will help stabilize supplies.
“As of the moment, I think for the next six to 12 months, we’re kind of okay,” he said, noting that rice harvesting has reached its peak and will continue until May.
These harvests, planted using fertilizers purchased at previous prices, are expected to sustain rice supply until September.
Laurel also highlighted that other staple crops remain stable. Corn supplies are sufficient, sugar imports are proving beneficial despite being slightly higher than initially needed, and coconut production is adequate.
However, Laurel acknowledged challenges for the upcoming planting season due to rising fertilizer costs, which recently jumped to P2,200 per bag.
To address this, the Department of Agriculture is exploring technological alternatives, including biofertilizers and advanced Japanese nanotechnology-based liquid fertilizers.
“We are now creating six or seven different protocols for our farmers to use as an alternative to urea and nitrogen-based fertilizers,” he said.
The government has secured 84 percent of the department’s fertilizer requirements, while ongoing discussions with suppliers aim to ensure timely delivery and prevent potential defaults.
Laurel added that government subsidies cover only about 20 percent of farmers’ fertilizer needs, leaving the majority to be provided by the farmers themselves.
