The Role of Agriculture in the Philippines

Philippines, one of the world’s largest archipelagos, still faces persistent rural poverty despite having an active agriculture industry; however, this trend appears to be improving.

Young people around the world are showing increased interest in farming, with Filipino farmers’ average age increasing over time. This report explores programs aimed at engaging next-generation agriculturalists.

Farming

As one of the main economic sectors, agriculture represents 29% of Philippine labor force. Rice, corn and coconut are major agricultural crops exported worldwide; coffee beans, mangoes, tobacco leaves and abaca plants (a type of banana-like plant) also feature in export markets. Production for export can also be supplemented through livestock farming and commercial fishing operations in this sector of Philippine production.

Agriculture in Zambia is characterized by small farms. Land is often passed down from one generation to the next, restricting access to modern techniques like high-grade seeds and fertilisers as well as mechanization. Large agri-businesses have also established large plantations farms specialized in rubber, oil palm or cacao production.

Many small farms are situated in rural areas where poverty is rampant. Their struggle has become the focus of advocacy campaigns like Pamilyang Filipino Farmer Movement, which works to support family farming through community-based cooperatives and other initiatives.

Kiday Community Farmers’ Association in Quezon Province is an example of such an organic and agroecology farming cooperative, practicing organic and agroecology farming using communal plots as well as private gardens. Supported by a non-profit entity with partnerships to local government units and the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute. Members receive training on food processing, market networks and disaster risk management including El Nino preparedness. KCFA members undergo food processing training courses while disaster risk management training is also offered through this organization despite limited funding sources.

Fisheries

Agriculture is a vital sector of Philippine economy, providing food security and economic sustainability for its people. It includes crop cultivation and livestock raising by both small-scale local farmers who specialize in organic fruits and vegetables to large-scale producers of grains, rice, coconut, coffee, tobacco, abaca (banana-like plants). Furthermore, agriculture employs around 25% of 49.7 million labor force.

The Philippine government is committed to ensuring sustainable fisheries that meet growing demands for seafood. To this end, laws are being implemented against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; however these efforts can often be hindered by limited access to credit or large port development projects that displace smaller-scale fishermen.

Philippine agriculture boasts an enduring legacy of reform, from colonial-era programs initiated during colonialism through independence, martial law and People Power Revolution in 1986. Agrarian reform is an essential element of development as it leads to modern farming techniques and increased efficiency within agribusiness enterprises. Land reform remains an integral component of land policy that should not be neglected.

The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is the government agency charged with developing, improving, managing and exporting fisheries resources in the country. Furthermore, fishery exports are monitored. Agriculturist profession is overseen by Professional Regulation Commission while all agriculturists must pass an Agricultural Competency Examination prior to becoming professional agriculturists.

Livestock

The agricultural sector provides employment to roughly 25 percent of the country’s population and contributes significantly to both the economy and food supply. With sustained economic expansion and rising per capita income expected to lead to more food demand and consequently spur greater mechanization and productivity improvement within agriculture, as well as improving market access which allows farmers to increase earnings while improving rural household livelihoods.

However, agriculture remains plagued by numerous challenges that make its sustainability impossible. Natural disasters and environmental degradation continue to threaten agricultural production and food security; furthermore COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc with food production, distribution, African Swine Fever affected hog farmers; while low agricultural productivity holds back food production particularly in rice and corn crops.

Apart from labor force issues and market access concerns, agriculture faces numerous other hurdles related to labor and input costs for feeds and disease treatments; this has negatively impacted their profit margins as well as costs of meat, milk, eggs and other animal products. Furthermore, inadequate farm mechanization and irrigation, low agricultural technology adoption rates, poor extension services provisioning and incomplete implementation of Agrarian Reform programs all inhibit industry growth.

With increasing domestic demand for animal products, livestock production can be increased through proper support – particularly when it comes to innovation and technology.

Forestry

Philippines agriculture relies heavily on four subsectors that work together to ensure food security and economic sustainability: farming, fisheries, livestock and forestry. Together they have contributed significantly to its gross domestic product since 1985.

However, Indonesia’s natural forests have been severely reduced over the past several years by land conversion, illegal logging and fires, leading to the loss of commercial non-timber forest products such as rattan, bamboo and latexes as well as medicinal plants that provide non-timber products and medicinal uses. Wild game such as pigs, deer and monkeys provide essential protein sources for upland communities.

Forestry has expanded beyond timber production to produce paper, veneers, plywood and pulp products. Furthermore, government initiatives have established community forestry to aid upland livelihoods through sustainable forest management; however, its success remains to be proven.

There are also a number of institutions conducting extensive forestry research in the Philippines. These include the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), University of the Philippines and 31 schools offering courses at technician, baccalaureate and graduate degree levels in forestry. PCARRD serves as the central leadership in setting national priorities that align with those set by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Departments of Agriculture and DENR sectoral priorities and DENR Department priorities.