THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is planning the construction of a urea plant on Semirara Island in Antique, using coal as the feedstock for processing into fertilizer.

It would be the Philippines’ first urea facility if the plans are realized.

The project is expected to boost fertilizer security as global prices remain elevated due to high fuel costs and supply disruptions linked to the war in the Middle East.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Roger V. Navarro said the proposal has the President’s support.

“The government is planning to construct a manufacturing plant for fertilizer. This has been approved by the President during one of the cabinet meetings, and we are  seeking funding for the study,” he said at a briefing on Tuesday.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel V. de Mesa said the DA is applying for a $1-million project preparation grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to fund technical and financial feasibility studies.

“We will be working with the ADB,” he said. “We have submitted the draft terms of reference, and are expecting the approval of the grant, which is about $1 million.”

Mr. De Mesa said the project preparation grant is expected to be approved within two weeks.

Mr. Navarro said the feasibility study is targeted for completion by August or September, and if timelines hold, construction could begin by year’s end.

“We can break ground by maybe November or December and by 2027 we’ll be able to put up our own urea fertilizer plant,” he said.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. is set to visit Brunei this week to discuss possible fertilizer supply arrangements, Mr. Navarro said.

He said the talks are part of regional coordination which seeks to improve cooperation on fertilizer supply within Southeast Asia. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said its free toll program for cargo vehicles hauling farm goods could generate P152 million in savings per month for the nearly 1,200 truckers currently registered for the scheme.

“We estimate the overall economic impact could reach over P150 million, and this will grow further if more truckers enroll in the program,” Agriculture Undersecretary for Agro-Marine Industrial Systems Arrey A. Perez said at a briefing on Tuesday.

The DA said truckers could save between P1,500 and P3,000 per trip from northern Luzon to Metro Manila, and as much as P6,000 for longer routes between northern and southern Luzon.

The toll exemption, which took effect on April 20, applies to DA-accredited cargo vehicles and will run for one month. It covers all major tollways on Luzon. Toll road operators had agreed to waive the charges.

The DA said it is aiming to accredit at least 4,000 vehicles, which would haul about 16,000 metric tons of agricultural goods daily.

“Our target is really to capture a large number of agricultural trucks. Because if there’s no scale, then this program we’re implementing won’t have any impact,” Mr. Perez said.

The DA estimated the number of vehicles transporting farm goods nationwide at 20,000 units. The Food Lane Program for produce haulers was launched during the pandemic.

Eligible vehicles include Classes 1, 2, and 3 carrying agricultural seeds and crops, livestock and fishery products, fertilizer and pesticide, as well as farm machinery.

Participating trucks must have a radio frequency identification tag and a DA accreditation certificate, which can be obtained through the Food Lane portal on the department’s website.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel V. de Mesa said the program could also benefit farmers by encouraging more frequent deliveries.

“If those costs are waived, truckers’ expenses will go down. And when costs decrease, they will have a better chance of buying from our production areas,” he said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel