In a promising development for the agricultural sector, the Caraga region reported a significant increase in rice production for the year 2024, according to the Department of Agriculture in Caraga (DA-13). The region’s rice output reached 574,093 metric tons, marking a rise from the 531,431 metric tons recorded in 2023. This growth is credited to the adoption of advanced agricultural inputs such as hybrid seeds, high-quality inbred seeds, fertilizers, and soil ameliorants.
Alongside rice, corn production in Caraga also saw an uptick, with 2024 figures showing 138,614 metric tons compared to 134,471 metric tons the previous year. The yield per hectare for rice improved to 3.48 metric tons from 3.33 metric tons, while corn yields increased to 3.83 metric tons from 3.64 metric tons.
In the livestock sector, only swine production showed growth, increasing to 112,237 heads from 107,071 in 2023. However, production of carabaos, cattle, and goats declined, attributed to adverse weather conditions. On a positive note, chicken production soared to 2,845,057 heads from 2,172,109 the previous year.
Looking ahead, DA-13 Regional Director Arlan Mangelen announced that the agency has allocated PHP2.5 billion to support farmers in 2025. Mangelen emphasized the importance of strategic program implementation to drive agricultural development forward. In 2024, the agency provided support to 59,761 farmers and 1,332 farmers’ groups, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the region’s agricultural productivity.