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January 26, 2026 | 12:00am
FPA said it is committed to developing a “robust” regulatory framework that would facilitate online sale of the key planting inputs once proper safeguards, licensing mechanisms, traceability systems and enforcement controls are in place.
Philstar.com / File
MANILA, Philippines — The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) is not closing its doors on allowing the online sale of fertilizer and pesticide products, pointing out that it is already developing the necessary regulations over the distribution method.
FPA said it is committed to developing a “robust” regulatory framework that would facilitate online sale of the key planting inputs once proper safeguards, licensing mechanisms, traceability systems and enforcement controls are in place.
Until such systems are established, FPA pointed out that online selling of fertilizers and pesticides would remain unauthorized.
The agency attached to the Department of Agriculture issued the clarificatory statement after it revoked its previous circular allowing the online sale of fertilizers and pesticides.
In revoking its previous rules, FPA explained that it does not issue licenses or permits authorizing online selling of fertilizer and pesticides in various online platforms.
FPA added that it only temporarily allowed the online selling of the planting inputs during the COVID pandemic since physical stores were closed and logistics were hampered.
However, since 2020, FPA observed the proliferation of unregistered imported fertilizers and pesticides online, which it argued pose risks to farmers, consumers and the environment.
“Products sold online are often untraceable and may be counterfeit, substandard, improperly labeled or chemically unsafe,” FPA executive director Glenn Estrada said.
“These risks are heightened in specialized farming systems, such as hydroponics, where precise product composition is critical to crop safety and productivity,” Estrada added.
The unlicensed imported agricultural inputs sold online are automatically considered smuggled since they do not possess proper registration and import clearance, Estrada said.
Furthermore, Estrada said fertilizers and pesticides sold online pass through multiple unregulated distribution channels that may lead to improper handling of the agricultural inputs.
“The protection of farmers, consumers and the environment remains our priority,” Estrada said.
A quick search on ecommerce platforms like Shopee would yield hundreds of fertilizer and pesticide being sold online.
Some of the sellers even post their product registration numbers with the FPA.
One of the sellers seen by The STAR even sells complete fertilizer or Triple 14, one of the most common fertilizer items, at just P49 per kilo.
But some sellers and even buyers welcomed the development, highlighting that the FPA’s action is better for the protection of farmers and could help curb the sale of unregistered agricultural inputs online.
However, former agriculture undersecretary and Monetary Board member Bruce Tolentino said the FPA’s regulatory decision will reduce farmers’ access to fertilizers and pesticides. — Brix Lelis
