‘Fake corn seeds in Kalinga?’ DA-CAR orders field inspections to address allegations

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) has asked Syngenta technicians to conduct field inspections in Kalinga to address concerns over reports of alleged “fake or repacked” hybrid corn seeds being distributed to farmers.

In its September 18, 2026 advisory, DA-CAR said it received reports regarding online posts alleging that counterfeit or altered sacks of yellow corn seeds were being distributed to farmers in Kalinga under the agency’s agricultural programs.

In response, DA-CAR personnel held a dialogue in Paracelis, Mountain Province, with representatives of seed company Syngenta and officials from concerned municipalities to clarify the reports.

The agency said that before any planting materials and farm inputs, including seeds, are distributed, they undergo standard quality control procedures in coordination with the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and quality standards.

Distribution proceeds only after the required quality checks have been completed.

According to Syngenta, the sacks questioned in the reports were not repacked but had been re-stitched following mandatory seed sampling and quality testing procedures.

To further address concerns raised by corn farmers and growers, Syngenta technicians were asked to conduct field visits in affected areas, including Tabuk City and Rizal, Kalinga.

DA-CAR also urged farmers to coordinate directly with their local agriculture officers or DA-RFO CAR field representatives regarding concerns about the quality or authenticity of seeds they receive.

“We encourage farmers to coordinate directly with their local Agriculture Officer or the DA-RFO CAR field representative regarding any concerns about seed quality,” DA-CAR said.

The agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring that only quality agricultural inputs are provided to support the production and livelihood of Cordilleran farmers.