CAMIGUIN (PIA) — “The star of our economy has been agriculture. After shrinking by 4.5 percent, agriculture, forestry, and fishing made a remarkable recovery, growing by 12.6 percent,” said Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo in his 2025 State of the Province Address on January 6.
He added that the improvement in the sector underscores the resilience of the farmers and fisherfolk and the positive impact of the initiatives and interventions that the local government is implementing in the province.
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.
“Sauna, July 2022, sakit kaayo kay niabot pud lage ang sakit nga ASF, then nakwaan ko’g duha ka anay dayon isa ka baktin. Pasalamat ko sa sentineling program nga nakadawat ko’g isa ka baboy, nahimo na siya’g anay, nakabaligya na ko’g pito dayon nabinlan og upat,” said Nicky Acle, one of the beneficiaries of the sentinel program.
(In July 2022, it was very difficult because the ASF disease arrived, and I lost two sows and one piglet. I am grateful for the sentineling program because I received one pig, which has now become a sow. I was able to sell seven piglets and still have four left.)
He said the program helped them start over and continuously care for the pigs.
In the meantime, the province is nearing completion of the swine multiplier farm, with plans to disperse swine scheduled for late 2025. Additionally, fully operational chicken and goat farms have already benefited local farmers, with plans to add a beef cattle multiplier farm this year, funded by a Department of Agriculture (DA) grant.
Fisheries and organic agriculture resilience
“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.
Looking ahead, 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.
The governor also highlighted the implementation of the Kadiwa program, which helps farmers and entrepreneurs in selling their produce directly to the consumers.
“Ang pinaka-importante nga na-feel nako as a farmer, ang Kadiwa program naghatag kanamo’g access to direct market without any cost of any transportation. Considering nga naa mi’y link directly as a local producer sa among tanom, kining sagingan, lakatan. Direct ko didto sa consumer gyud, walay middlemen per se,” said Roldan Chan, a farmer from Camiguin.
(The most important thing I’ve felt as a farmer is that the Kadiwa program has given us access to a direct market without any transportation costs. Considering that we now have a direct link as local producers of our crops—like bananas, particularly lakatan—I can sell directly to the consumers without any middlemen.)
Youth engagement and community growth
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.
The agricultural growth 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.
“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,” Romualdo said.
The governor called for continued collaboration, ensuring that Camiguin’s agricultural momentum paves the way for sustainable growth and prosperity for all its residents. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
