Philippine Agriculture Achieves Eight-Year High with 3.1% Growth in 2025
The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Friday that the Philippines has reached a significant milestone, with the Agriculture, Fishery, and Forestry (AFF) sector growing by 3.1 percent in 2025. This marks the highest annual expansion since 2017, when the sector recorded a 4.2 percent growth rate.
Government Support Drives Record Performance
In an official statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that this achievement underscores the government's ongoing commitment to bolstering local production and enhancing the agricultural value chain. He described the 2025 results as both encouraging and instructive, providing valuable insights into effective strategies and areas needing improvement.
"The 2025 performance of agriculture is both encouraging and instructive — it tells us what is working and where we need to sharpen our approach," Tiu Laurel stated.
Key Commodities Show Strong Production Gains
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, several major crops experienced substantial growth in 2025:
- Palay production increased by 3.5 percent.
- Corn production rose by 3.4 percent.
- Sugar production surged by an impressive 56 percent.
Additionally, positive growth was reported in other agricultural commodities, including coffee and cacao, contributing to the sector's overall robust performance.
Addressing Challenges and Sustaining Growth
Secretary Tiu Laurel highlighted the importance of targeted investments to maintain this positive trajectory, especially in light of persistent threats such as extreme weather events, animal diseases, and plant pests. These challenges have historically led to weak growth or outright contractions in the AFF sector in previous years.
"We are using these lessons to fine-tune our programs and accelerate investments in smarter, climate-resilient, and more productive agriculture," he explained.
Future Initiatives and Funding Allocations
Looking ahead to 2026, the Department of Agriculture has secured funding to support several key initiatives aimed at further strengthening the sector. These include:
- Boosting the construction of farm-to-market roads to improve connectivity.
- Developing cold storage facilities and drying systems to reduce post-harvest losses.
- Providing financial support to farmers and fishers.
- Enhancing management and control measures for avian influenza and African swine fever.
These efforts are designed to build on the 2025 gains and ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of Philippine agriculture.
