CAMIGUIN is actively inspiring young people to embrace agriculture through rural farm schools and the Young Farmers Challenge Program.
Last year, 13 young agri-entrepreneurs received livelihood grants, and the province is launching its own version of the program to further support innovative agricultural ventures.
Notably, Camiguin’s agricultural growth contributed to a decline in poverty incidence in the province, dropping to 9.4 percent in 2024, down from 17.9 percent six years ago. Subsistence incidence reached an all-time low of 1.6 percent.
“With our growth momentum and the initiatives we are implementing, we are confident that we can expand the sector within the next three years. By harnessing innovation and inspiring and empowering younger generations to take the lead, we can create a future where agriculture not only grows but flourishes as a source of prosperity and pride for Camiguin,” Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo said in his 2025 State of the Province Address on Jan. 6.
The governor called for continued collaboration, ensuring that Camiguin’s agricultural momentum paves the way for sustainable growth and prosperity for all its residents.
The agricultural growth in the province contributed to a decline in poverty incidence, which dropped to 9.4 percent in 2024, down from 17.9 percent six years ago. Subsistence incidence reached an all-time low of 1.6 percent.
One of the province’s significant achievements was its battle against African swine fever (ASF). All five municipalities declared themselves ASF-free by October 2024, awaiting national confirmation. Initiated in 2023, the sentinel pig program proved instrumental, distributing over 900 pigs to 150 beneficiaries. This initiative not only prevented ASF outbreaks but also jumpstarted swine repopulation, yielding 537 piglets by year’s end.
Efforts to lower pork prices have also borne fruit. From a high of P300 per kilo in 2023, liveweight prices dropped to as low as P180 per kilo, providing relief to consumers and farmers alike.
“For fisheries, the Provincial Agriculture Department continues to support the inland fishery extension programs of our municipal governments by conducting training sessions on good aquaculture practices, assessing the condition of backyard fishponds and providing fingerlings to stock these fishponds. In April last year, we distributed 52,000 tilapia fingerlings to 40 beneficiaries from Catarman, Guinsiliban, Mahinog and Mambajao,” Romualdo said.
Moving forward, he directed local departments to collaborate on marine fisheries and mariculture initiatives. These efforts aim to maximize the potential of Camiguin’s marine resources, including the cultivation of high-value aquaculture products like seaweed and shellfish.
To boost organic farming, the Provincial Agriculture Department provided seeds, organic fertilizers and technical training to farmers with promising results. For instance, organic fertilizers produced in the rehabilitated provincial facility significantly boosted vegetable yields in demo farms.
Lanzones farming also thrived, despite El Niño’s challenges. The total area planted with lanzones expanded from 844 hectares in 2023 to over 1,041 hectares in 2024, nearly doubling production to 4,820 metric tons.
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