Philippine scientists did not endorse 'super fertiliser' for ailing farming industry

A photo of Rodel Maghirang, a scientist known for his work in organic agriculture in the Philippines, was shared on Facebook on August 2 (archived link).

It accompanied a lengthy caption that claims he and national scientist Emil Javier -- who specializes in plant breeding and genetics -- launched a product called "Super Seed Organic Fertilizer" (archived link).

The scientists "brought a breakthrough solution to the agriculture industry," the post said.

"This product not only promises to revolutionize agricultural activities but also attracts the attention of leading experts, providing farmers with practical and effective solutions to increase crop productivity."

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Screenshot of false Facebook post taken on August 15, 2024

Similar claims were also shared here and here. The product has also been promoted here and here by an imposter page for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a leading broadsheet (archived link).

The posts shared a link to a website where the farm product could purportedly be purchased at a discounted price. The site also claimed the fertiliser met the requirements set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), as shown below:

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A screenshot of the product being sold online

About a quarter of the Philippines' labour force works in the agriculture sector, but it accounts for less than 10 percent of the economy, according to official figures (archived link).

Poor yields, high costs, insufficient investment in irrigation and machinery, lack of access to cold storage facilities and farm-to-market roads, and crop-destroying typhoons have long plagued the sector.

Unregistered product

Rodel Maghirang told AFP on August 14: "I did not endorse that product nor have any knowledge of it."

Similarly, the National Academy of Science and Technology said on August 1 that Emil Javier has never endorsed the product (archived link).

AFP found what appeared to be fabricated customer reviews on the product's website.

The buyers' names are those of Philippine nationalists who lived in the 19th century including Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, Marcelo del Pilar (archived here, here, here). 

A review of the government's database of registered organic soil amendment (OSA) products found only 15 organic fertiliser brands approved for use in the archipelago nation (archived link).

"Super Seed Fertilizer" was not one of them as of August 15, 2024.

Jenina Cusay, a research specialist with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards, confirmed that the product was not listed in its registry.

Unregistered products that had not undergone proper regulatory checks "pose a threat on the soil, animal health, and human health", Cusay told AFP on August 13.