Agricultural/Aquaculture/Fishery Machinery/Equipment

Among the 42,020 barangays in the country as of 31 December 2022, thresher is the machinery observed to be the most available in the barangay. Threshers were present in 19,583 (46.6%) barangays or nearly half of all barangays covered in the 2022 Census of Agricultural and Fisheries (CAF). The province of Ilocos Sur had the highest percentage (88.7%) of occurrence with 681 out of 768 barangays reporting the availability of threshers in 2023. Transplanter was the second most available machinery, being present in 17,813 barangays (42.4%), followed by rice mill, present in 12,376 barangays (29.5%). (Figure 1 and Table 1)

On the other hand, pasteurizer used in milk or juice processing was the least available machinery/equipment, found in only 511 barangays (1.2%), followed closely by rubber sheeters, present in 541 barangays (1.3%). (Figure 1 and Table 1)

The presence of rice mill and corn mill in barangays slightly decreased by 6.3 percent from 16,476 barangays in 2013 to 15,436 barangays in 2023. (Figure 3)

On the other hand, the availability in barangays of feed mill for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture grew significantly by 35.1 percent during the same period. (Figure 3)
 

Agricultural/Aquaculture/Fishery Facilities

Traditional fish landing center was the most common agricultural/aquaculture/fishery facility in barangays. This was found in 9,130 barangays in the country (21.7%). This was followed by layer farm, present in 5,080 barangays (12.1%), and nursery/greenhouse/ screenhouse/net house facility, present in 4,402 barangays (10.5%). (Figure 4 and Table 2)

Between 2013 and 2023, there has been considerable growth in the presence of agricultural/aquaculture/fishery facilities across barangays. This expansion is particularly pronounced for fish landing center, which significantly grew by 159.2 percent. Leyte posted the highest increase, with the presence of traditional fish landing center rising by 259 barangays (340.8%), from 76 barangays in 2013 to 335 barangays in 2023. Similarly, an increase in facilities to improve volume of poultry and fishery species was observed, particularly, poultry layer farm and aquaculture hatchery which surged by 77.7 percent. (Figure 5)

Further, moderate shifts were noted in facilities that support livestock and poultry producers. Specifically, breeding and multiplier farm decreased by 14.7 percent, whereas slaughterhouse had an increase of 11.6 percent. In addition, a decline was observed in the number of barangays with nursery/ greenhouse/ screenhouse/net house facility, which dropped by 37.3 percent. (Figure 5)
                                                                                 
In 2023, most agricultural/fisheries storage/processing facilities were located in rural barangays. However, cold storage facilities were present in 487 urban barangays, accounting for 48.1 percent of the total 1,012 barangays with such facilities. (Figure 6)

Input Stores/Sellers

As of 2023, store/seller of feeds for livestock and poultry were widely available in the Philippines with 22,727 barangays (54.1%) having stores offering these inputs, particularly in Leyte, where 843 barangays (57.1%) had the presence of such stores. Additionally, fertilizer store/seller was present in 11,730 barangays (27.9%), while pesticide store/seller was found in approximately a quarter of all barangays, totaling 10,469 barangays (24.9%). (Figure 7 and Table 3)

Over the past decade, access to essential agricultural inputs and supplies improved with significant growth of number of barangays with store/seller of fertilizers (increased by 46.1%), pesticides (increased by 69.8%), seeds/seedlings (increased by 51.7%), and veterinary medicines (increased by 66.1%). (Figure 8)

Service Providers

In terms of agricultural services, rental service of farm machinery/equipment and veterinary and para-veterinary service, grew after 10 years, rising by 22.3 percent and 13.0 percent, respectively. (Figure 9)

By urban-rural classification, majority of agricultural services were concentrated in rural barangays in 2023. However, it is notable that approximately one in every four (28.8%) of the 7,521 barangays with veterinary or para-veterinary service was classified as urban barangays. (Figure 10)

Credit Assistance

Individual money lender emerged as the primary providers of financial credit assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in 2023, operating in 20,020 barangays, representing nearly half (47.6%) of all barangays. Microfinance institution followed as a distant second, present in 4,265 barangays, accounting for 10.1 percent. (Figure 11 and Table 4b)

On the other hand, the local government unit (LGU) was the largest provider of in-kind credit assistance to farmers and fisherfolk, supporting 15,181 barangays (36.1%). Farmers’/fishermen's organization and cooperative/association followed with presence in 11,348 (27.0%) and 8,399 (20.0%) barangays respectively, indicating their significant role in rural credit assistance. (Figure 12 and Table 4c)

Extension Services

From 01 January to 31 December 2022, extension services for both farmers and fisherfolks were most commonly provided by LGU. Specifically, LGU had extension services for farmers in 20,965 barangays (49.9%) and fisherfolks in 6,456 barangays (15.6%). Farmers/fishermen’s organization was the second largest provider, offering services to farmers in 12,626 barangays (30.0%) and fisherfolks in 3,470 barangays (8.3%). National Government Agency/Institution also played significant role, directly serving farmers in 8,962 barangays (21.3%) and fisherfolks in 2,365 barangays (5.8%). (Figure 13, Tables 5 and 6)

The most frequently offered extension services to farmers and fisherfolks across various providers were training/technology/technical assistance and the provision of inputs and supplies. (Tables A and B)

Communal Garden

Various initiatives to establish communal vegetable gardens or farms have been launched in recent years, particularly in response to the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID19) pandemic and for the promotion of food security. From 01 January to 31 December 2022, “Gulayan sa Paaralan” was the most widespread communal vegetable gardens or farms, present in 28,082 barangays (66.8%). Following closely was the “Gulayan sa Barangay”, present in 26,663 barangays (63.5%). (Figure 14 and table 7)

The results are based on the conduct of the 2022 CAF interviews among incumbent barangay officials from 04 September to 24 October 2023.

CLAIRE DENNIS S. MAPA, PhD
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General