Description
Underweight fertilizers poses a serious threat to the livelihoods of Filipino farmers and fishers, who rely on accurate product weight and nutrient content to sustain crop yields and aquatic productivity. When fertilizer bags are intentionally short of their labeled weight, farmers and fishers pay more for less, resulting in reduced harvests, increased production costs, and long-term soil nutrient depletion. This malfeasance undermines government support programs, distorts market, and erodes trust in the agricultural input industry. Poor policy enforcement, lack of consistent monitoring, and inadequate awareness among farmers and fishers allow the practice to persist. Strengthening regulatory enforcement, enhancing monitoring mechanisms, and implementing stiff penalties are essential to protect stakeholders and promote food security.
