General Guidelines on the Provision of Fertilizer Subsidy under the National Corn Program (NCP)

May 20, 2021

DA MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 36, S. 2021

 

In 2020, the average yield for yellow and white corn is 4.18 MT/Ha and 1.89 MT/Ha (PSA), respectively. This shows that many corn areas did not reach its optimum yield of more than 5 MT/Ha for both yellow corn and white corn.

To increase the yield, optimum fertilizer rate should be applied and based on the result of the Site Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) trials in the region.

Based on the SSNM trials in the different regions, increasing the fertilizer application by 21 kg/ha Nitrogen, 14 kg/ha Phosphorous, and 29 kg/ha Potassium on SSNM treated farms in Isabela, Nueva Ecija, and Bukidnon attained a 1.00 t/ha increase in yield compared to Farmer's Fertilizer Practice (FFP). Moreover, despite the increase in the application of fertilizer there is a proportional increase on production cost and increase the profit by 1.5 times following the SSNM recommendation due to a higher yield (Ocampo, et al., 2015).

Moreover, cassava has a national average yield of 11.91 MT/Ha (PSA, 2020), However, there are farmers who have lower yields than the national average due to low application of fertilizers.

Hence, to improve our local corn and cassava production and increase income of farmers, provision of additional fertilizer to farmers within the cluster is imperative.

A. Goal

To enhance the yield and income of corn and cassava farmers at the end of each cropping season.

B. General Implementing Guidelines

1. The Regional Corn Program of the DA Regional Field Office (DA-RFO), shall procure the interventions following the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184).

2. Distribution of fertilizers to farmer beneficiaries shall be based on the active corn and cassava clusters.

3. Priority shall be given to corn or cassava clusters with the following attributes:

• Shall have an active farmer association or farmer cooperative duly registered at Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)/Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and other registering bodies or agencies;

• Currently engaged in corn and cassava farming with a minimum production area of 75 hectares;

• At least 75% of its members are registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA);

• The farmer-beneficiary must have an average yield less than 5 MT/Ha and 10 MT/Ha for corn and cassava, respectively; and

• Letter of Intent to avail of the program with endorsement coming from the Local Government Unit (LGU) or Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO).

4. The corn and cassava cluster shall identify the farmer-beneficiaries of fertilizer. Each farmer-beneficiary shall receive the kind and amount of fertilizer determined by the Regional Corn Program; and

5. The direct intervention for farmer beneficiaries shall include one or combination of urea, complete, ammonium phosphate, muriate of potash, organic fertilizer, and other FPA-registered fertilizers.

C. Roles and Responsibilities

I. National Corn Program (NCP)

1. Oversee the proper implementation on the distribution of fertilizers in the different DA-RFOs.

2. Conduct regular monitoring and assessment and provide periodic reports to higher management.

II. DA Regional Corn Program

1. Determine the kind and amount of fertilizer per farmer-beneficiary and procure the needed fertilizers following the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184).

2. Provide support to corn and cassava clusters in the positioning and distribution of fertilizers.

3. Submit periodic reports or updates on the implementation of the project to NCP.

III. Local Government Unit

1. The Municipal/City Local Government Unit (MLGU/CLGU), through the office of the Municipal/City Agriculturist (MA/CA), shall endorse to DA-RFO the corn and cassava cluster(s) that complied with the requirements under Item B, No. 3 of this guideline.

2. Facilitate the positioning and ensure proper distribution of fertilizers to the cluster beneficiaries.

3. Provide progress reports and consolidated Acknowledgement Receipts and/or Client Satisfaction Feedback (CSF) forms.

4. Provides technical assistance on the proper utilization of fertilizers.

IV. Cluster

1. Submit to MLGU/CLGU the letter of intent, profile of the cluster and other pertinent documents stated in item B, No. 3, and the list of corn and cassava farmer-members who will be the recipients of fertilizers allocated to the cluster.

2. Responsible for the distribution of fertilizers to qualified farmer member beneficiaries.

3. Provide reports and other pertinent documents (e.g., acknowledgement receipts, master list of recipients, CSF forms) on the status of fertilizer distribution and utilization to MLGU/CLGU.

4. Allow DA-RFO and MLGU/CLGU to visit the project area in order to assess the performance of corn and cassava production.

D. Supplemental Guidelines

DA-RFOs are hereby authorized to formulate and issue supplemental guidelines approved by the Regional Executive Director to address the flexibility and suitability to local situations. Any deviation from the general implementing guidelines is subject to the written approval from the National Corn Program Director.

E. Effectivity

This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately upon approval and shall remain valid until revoked by subsequent written orders.

Done this 20th day of May 2021.

(SGD.) WILLIAM D. DAR, PhDSecretary