Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday highlighted significant gains as the Philippines achieved an eight-year high in Agriculture, Fishery, and Forestry (AFF) growth at 3.1 percent in 2025. This marks the most substantial increase since the 4.2 percent growth recorded in 2017.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that this achievement reflects the ongoing government support for local production and the value chain. He remarked that the 2025 agricultural performance is both encouraging and instructive, providing insights into effective strategies and areas requiring further refinement.

Palay production saw a 3.5 percent increase, while corn grew by 3.4 percent, and sugar experienced a remarkable 56 percent growth last year, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Other commodities, including coffee and cacao, also demonstrated positive growth.

Tiu Laurel highlighted the necessity of appropriate investments to maintain these gains, especially in light of challenges such as extreme weather, animal diseases, and plant pests. These factors have previously led to weak growth or outright contractions in the AFF sector.

He stated that lessons learned are being utilized to improve programs and accelerate investments in smarter, climate-resilient, and more productive agriculture. For the upcoming year, the DA has secured funding to enhance infrastructure such as farm-to-market roads, cold storage facilities, and drying systems, as well as provide financial support to farmers and fishers. Additionally, efforts will focus on managing and controlling avian influenza and African swine fever.