The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Monday that thousands of farmers across the country are set to benefit as Planters Products Inc. (PPI) re-enters the fertilizer trade after a 43-year hiatus.

Since its last importation in 1982, PPI, one of the DA’s agro-chemical trading and marketing partners, has re-entered the fertilizer industry with 120,000 bags of 14-14-14 inorganic fertilizer imported from Vietnam.

The 14-14-14 fertilizer, composed of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, is expected to boost crop yields, improve soil health, and reduce production costs for Filipino farmers.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said PPI’s return supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goals of food security and agricultural modernization.

“At six bags per hectare, this initial volume can support about 20,000 hectares of rice fields and benefit around 20,000 farmers nationwide,” Tiu Laurel said.

He added that the fertilizer promotes robust leaf growth, root development, grain formation, and improved resistance to pests and diseases.

Meanwhile, PPI Chief Operations Officer Roberto Antonio thanked the DA for its continued support, saying the company’s revival “reaffirms PPI’s legacy of providing affordable, high-quality fertilizers and farm inputs” essential to sustainable farming and national food security.

“Under Secretary Tiu Laurel’s leadership, PPI is once again a steadfast partner in nation-building and farmer empowerment,” Antonio said. (PNA)