By Kenneth Marcos Agri Specialist Inc. has donated 200,000 kilos of Bio N, an Azospirillum-based microbial
biofertilizer valued at P720 million, to the National Confederation of Irrigators
Association (NCIA) in a move seen as a major boost to sustainable farming and food
security amid global fertilizer supply risks.
The donation, formally recognized during the 2026 NIA–NCIA General Assembly
attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., can replace an estimated 400,000 bags
of imported urea, significantly lowering production costs for Filipino farmers nationwide.
According to the certificate of donation, the biofertilizer package is intended to help uplift
farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen food security, and promote environmentally sound and
cost-efficient crop production, in line with the administration’s agricultural modernization
agenda.
National Irrigation Administrator Eduardo “Eddie” G. Guillen said the donation
underscores the growing collaboration between government, the academe, and the
private sector in addressing long-standing challenges in Philippine agriculture.
“Ang irigasyon ay hindi lamang patubig. Ito ay seguridad sa pagkain, katatagan ng
kabuhayan, at dignidad ng ating mga magsasaka,” Guillen said, noting that Bio N can
help raise yields while reducing farmers’ dependence on costly chemical fertilizers.
Guillen added that the biofertilizer initiative complements the government’s broader
push for modern irrigation, climate resilience, and data-driven farm management,
including the rollout of the NIA Command Center, which allows real-time monitoring of
dams and irrigation systems.
President Marcos, in his address, welcomed the donation and reiterated the
government’s commitment to lowering farmers’ production costs while expanding
access to modern technologies.
“Malaking tulong ang patabang ito sa pagpapalaganap ng makabagong paraan ng
pagsasaka,” the President said, stressing that innovations developed through
partnerships with universities and the private sector are critical in improving farm
productivity and ensuring affordable food for Filipino families.
Marcos also emphasized that food security remains a top priority of his administration,
citing substantial investments in irrigation, farm mechanization, post-harvest facilities,
and digital monitoring systems to protect crops against climate-related risks.
The Bio N donation comes as farmer groups warn of renewed volatility in global fertilizer
markets, driven by geopolitical tensions, export restrictions, and supply disruptions
abroad.
In a separate letter addressed to President Marcos, the NCIA urged the government to
accelerate the nationwide adoption of locally developed biofertilizers such as Bio N,
citing the Philippines’ heavy reliance on imported urea and the growing risk of price
spikes linked to global conflicts and energy supply instability.
The NCIA letter pointed to the country’s own scientific breakthroughs in biofertilizer
development through the University of the Philippines Los Baños, noting that Bio N has
been field-tested for decades and can replace 30 to 50 percent of chemical nitrogen
requirements for rice and corn while improving yields and soil health.
NCIA President Remy Albano said Filipino farmers stand to benefit from policies that
prioritize local technologies over imported inputs, especially at a time when external
shocks can quickly drive up costs.
The irrigators’ group also called for stronger policy support to integrate biofertilizers into
government fertilizer programs and voucher systems, arguing that such measures
would reduce dependence on volatile international markets and improve long-term food
sovereignty.
For Marcos, the convergence of irrigation development, sustainable inputs, and farmer
empowerment reflects the administration’s broader vision for agriculture.
“Ang lakas ng sektor ng agrikultura ay nakasalalay sa ating mga magsasaka,” the
President said. “Kayo ang katuwang ng pamahalaan sa pagbuo ng mga solusyon.”