Japanese government turns over 26,135 MT of fertilizer for farmers under rice program

ILOILO CITY -- The Japanese government yesterday turned over more than 25,000 metric tons (MT) of fertilizer to the Philippine government.

The 26,135-MT ammonium sulphate fertilizer, worth ¥480 million (P262.77 million), were provided as a grant by the Japanese government under the 31^st Japanese Assistance for Food Security Project for Underprivileged Farmers or the Japan 2KR Program.

Larry P. Nacionales, director of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas, said the fertilizers will be mainly sold to rice farmers who are using certified seeds and good seeds in areas covered by the state’s Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (rice program) in Western Visayas.

Under an agreement signed last March, the government shall monetize the ammonium sulphate fertilizers through sale in the local market.

The estimated P162-million proceeds would be tapped by the government, particularly the DA and National Economic and Development Authority, to fund social, and agricultural and fishery development projects.

The fertilizer’s supplier was Mitsubishi Corp., which won the supply tender held in Japan last July 10. The tender was conducted by the Japan International Cooperation System, the procurement management agent for the program.

The consignee of the fertilizer was Agrotech Agricultural Products, Inc., which was represented by its vice-president and national sales manager, Daniel G. Oñate.

The fertilizer shipment, which arrived in Iloilo last Oct. 2, was the second of four shipments delivered by Mitsubishi. The first shipment was delivered to Davao on Sept. 9 while the third and fourth shipments would be delivered to Subic within this month and December. -- F. A. L. Angelo

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Japanese government turns over 26,135 MT of fertilizer for farmers under rice program