Bukidnon is tops in farm output—PSA

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has identified Bukidnon as the country’s top contributor to the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector in 2023, accounting for 7 percent of the national gross value added (GVA). 

Nueva Ecija followed with a 4.6 percent share, while Pangasinan ranked third at 3.8 percent.

Also making it to the top 10 contributors were Pampanga (3.7 percent), Isabela (3.3 percent), Negros Occidental (3.1 percent), Davao del Norte (2.8 percent), Batangas (2.8 percent), Iloilo (2.7 percent), and Quezon (2.5 percent).

The sector’s total GVA in 2023 reached P1.80 trillion, reflecting a modest 1.2 percent increase from P1.78 trillion in 2022. The top 10 provinces collectively contributed around 36.5 percent of this total.

Among all provinces, Rizal posted the fastest economic growth in the sector at 19.9 percent, followed by Negros Oriental with 15.8 percent and Batanes at 14.7 percent.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing remained the primary economic driver in 39 provinces. Maguindanao del Sur had the highest sectoral share at 53.4 percent, closely followed by Sulu (53.2 percent) and Bukidnon (49.8 percent).

To enhance economic data tracking at the local level, the PSA has expanded its compilation of Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) across all regions. 

The agency aims to fully institutionalize the PPA system by 2025, ensuring annual monitoring of economic performance in all provinces and highly urbanized cities.