FPA ensures fertilizer quality oversight throughout Leyte

Written by : Claudette Mae C. Terciño | Published: 5 May 2024

April 30, 2024 | LEYTE - To uphold quality standards in the fertilizer market, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) - Eastern Visayas, together with Deputy Executive Director for Fertilizer, Dr. Myer G. Mula, conducted a series of inspections and assessments of fertilizer dealers and distributors across the province of Leyte on April 22 to 23, 2024.

The activity aimed to verify compliance with weight standards among fertilizers sold by dealers, warehouse owners, and distributors. Five dealers and three distributors were visited during the operation, covering the areas of Naval, Biliran, Ormoc, Baybay, Abuyog, and Tacloban in Leyte.

A total of 213 out of 912 fertilizer bags from different brands and grades were found to weigh less than the standard 50 kg net weight per bag. This finding underscores the crucial role of such inspections in ensuring fairness and transparency in the market and safeguarding the interests of farmers who depend on accurately measured fertilizers for their agricultural activities.

A plant inspection on one of the fertilizer companies was also conducted as a response to operations and product quality issues. Dr. Mula emphasized the need to ensure product integrity through spot checking, putting batch/lot no. and expiration dates, and improving the overall packaging of their product.

The FPA's dedication to through inspections and enforcing regulations is vital for building trust and assurance among agricultural stakeholders. By tackling concerns like underweight fertilizers and product quality, the FPA significantly contributes to fairness and transparency in the sector, thereby supporting the sustainable growth of agriculture. ###

  Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Online ISSN: 2815-1674
  Published by the FPA Information and Communications Team