Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Wednesday that strategic budgetary support and intensified government actions have contributed to a significant full-year growth in the Philippines' agri-fisheries sector, marking the highest increase in five years.
According to Philippines News Agency, recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveals a 2.6 percent year-on-year growth, equivalent to PHP1.77 trillion. This milestone is attributed to ongoing investments in the agriculture sector, which aim to transition the government's focus from mere reaction to fostering resilience. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that these investments are laying the groundwork for a smarter, climate-resilient agriculture through the development of infrastructure such as cold storage, drying facilities, silos, upgraded rice processing systems, greenhouses, and smart irrigation systems.
DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa highlighted the role of enhanced budget support in last year's production growth. He expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Congress for recognizing the sector's importance, noting that the increased funds have been effectively channeled into project implementation at the grassroots level. Initiatives aimed at mitigating food inflation pressures have included the provision of production inputs and the use of improved varieties of palay seedlings to reduce post-harvest losses.
The poultry subsector experienced the highest growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, valued at PHP78.18 billion, with an annual growth rate of 9.1 percent. Fisheries followed with a 4 percent rise at PHP66.13 billion, and livestock increased by 1 percent to PHP68.42 billion. The hog sector's recovery and growth were bolstered by reduced flooding and government measures such as biosecurity and vaccination programs against African swine fever (ASF), which led to a significant decrease in ASF-affected barangays from 98 to eight.
Despite these gains, the crops sector experienced a contraction of 2.5 percent, amounting to PHP274.30 billion. Assistant Secretary de Mesa stressed the importance of not only securing a reasonable budget but also executing programs effectively and timely to sustain growth in the sector. He expressed optimism for continued growth in 2026, emphasizing the need for resources, innovation, technology, and robust research and development to further strengthen the country's agriculture sector.
