Agusan Del Norte

Agusan del Norte is a province located in the Caraga Region of Mindanao. It is bordered by Agusan del Sur to the south, the Diwata Mountain Range to the east, and Surigao del Norte to the west. With a land area of 2,798.3 square kilometers, Agusan del Norte is characterized by its flat plains, river systems, and mountainous terrain. The province is crisscrossed by the Agusan River, the longest river in the region, which plays a significant role in its agricultural activities.

Agusan del Norte is composed of 10 municipalities and 1 city, with Butuan City as the capital and a key urban hub in the region. The province is home to a population of 364,000 (2020 Census), primarily consisting of Cebuano-speaking people, with Mamanwa, Manobo, and other indigenous communities living in the upland areas. The province is economically driven by agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, with growing contributions from mining and trade.

While Agusan del Norte boasts rich natural resources and fertile lands, it faces challenges like poor infrastructure, poverty in rural areas, and vulnerability to natural disasters such as flooding and typhoons. The provincial government is working to address these issues by focusing on agricultural development, sustainable land management, and poverty reduction.

Agricultural Sector

Agriculture is the main economic driver in Agusan del Norte, with rice, coconut, corn, and high-value crops being the most prominent products.

Major Agricultural Products

  • Rice – The province is one of the top producers of rice in the Caraga Region.
  • Coconut – Agusan del Norte is known for its large coconut plantations, providing copra for domestic and international markets.
  • Corn – Used primarily for food and animal feed.
  • High-value crops – Including pineapple, banana, and cassava for both local consumption and export.
  • Livestock and poultry – Cattle, swine, and poultry are raised to support local food security and income.

While agriculture is crucial to the province’s economy, it faces challenges such as land conversion, inadequate irrigation systems, and limited access to technology for small-scale farmers. Efforts to improve agricultural infrastructure and provide modern farming techniques are ongoing.

Fisheries Sector

Agusan del Norte has an extensive fisheries sector, particularly focused on inland fishing and aquaculture, due to its proximity to rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.

Key Fisheries Activities

  • Inland aquaculture – Fish farming in ponds and rivers, particularly tilapia and bangus (milkfish).
  • River and lake fishing – The Agusan River and Lake Mainit support fishing communities with a variety of freshwater species.
  • Small-scale coastal fishing – The province’s coastal areas, including Butuan Bay, are home to small-scale fishing activities.

The fisheries sector provides income to many rural households, but it faces issues such as overfishing, pollution, and the lack of sustainable fishing practices. Ongoing support focuses on aquaculture expansion and the promotion of sustainable fisheries management.

Poverty Situation

Agusan del Norte faces significant challenges in poverty reduction, with a poverty incidence of 31.4% based on 2021 data. Many of the rural communities depend on agriculture and fisheries for their livelihood, but low farm productivity, limited access to education and healthcare, and infrastructure gaps hinder economic growth.

To address these issues, the provincial government is focusing on improving infrastructure, diversifying livelihoods, and empowering local communities through skills training and financial support programs.

Project Profile

DA

The SAAD program in Agusan del Norte focuses on improving the livelihoods of marginalized agricultural communities through the provision of:

  • Rice and corn seeds, fertilizers, and farm equipment to increase productivity.
  • High-value crops – Support for pineapple, banana, and cassava production through technology and market access.
  • Livestock distribution – Providing goats, swine, and native chickens to support food security and livelihood diversification.
  • Training and capacity building on sustainable farming and organic agriculture.

The DA-SAAD program aims to help rural farmers increase income and ensure food security by addressing the challenges they face in traditional agricultural practices.

    Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
    2023Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangBanana ProductionBalangbalang Farmers Organization (bafo)251,438,750.00
    2023Remedios T. RomualdezSan AntonioAbaca ProductionSan Antonio Farmers Organization (safo)251,488,800.00
    2024Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangBanana + Egg ProductionBalangbalang Farmers Organization (bafo)251,789,860.00
    2024Remedios T. RomualdezSan AntonioAbaca ProductionSan Antonio Farmers Organization (safo)241,795,990.00
    2025Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangBanana + Egg Production and Marketing ProjectBalangbalang Farmers Organization (bafo)252,726,210.00
    2025Remedios T. RomualdezSan AntonioAbaca Production and Marketing ProjectSan Antonio Farmers Organization (safo)24858,500.00
    2026Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangSupport to Banana + Egg Production and Marketing ProjectBalangbalang Farmers Organization (bafo)361,271,800.00
    2026Remedios T. RomualdezSan AntonioSupport to Abaca Production and Marketing ProjectSan Antonio Farmers Organization (safo)271,083,000.00

    BFAR

    Under the BFAR-SAAD program, Agusan del Norte receives support to develop its inland fisheries sector through:

    • Tilapia and bangus fingerling distribution – For sustainable fish farming.
    • Aquaculture training – To improve farming practices, water quality management, and fish health.
    • Fisheries infrastructure – Support for the construction and rehabilitation of fishponds and fish cages.
    • Fishing gear and equipment – Distribution of tools to assist in sustainable fishing practices and harvest management.
    Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
    2023Las NievesManingalaoTilapia Culture in Bamboo Cage (10m x 10m x 4m)Maningalao Freshwater Fishpond Operators Association20868,616.00
    2023Las NievesManingalaoPost- Harvest Equipment/MaterialsManingalao Super Mom's Association25101,833.00
    2023Las NievesRosarioPond Based-Tilapia HatcheryRosario Agrarian Reform Cooperatve28261,671.00
    2023Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangTilapia Culture in PondDalicanan Fisherfolk Association16101,833.00
    2023Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangPond Based-Tilapia HatcheryBalangbalang Hatchery Operators Association23261,671.00
    2023Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangPost-Harvest Equipment/MaterialsBalangbalang Pass-on Livestock Raisers Organization13101,883.00
    2023Remedios T. RomualdezSan AntonioTilapia Culture in PondSan Antonio Fisherfolk Organization22101,833.00
    2023Remedios T. RomualdezTagbongabongTilapia Culture in PondMag-uuma Sa Tagbongabong Association26101,833.00
    2024Las NievesManingalaoPost-Harvest Equipment/MaterialsManingalao Super Mom's Association25101,833.00
    2024Las NievesManingalaoTilapia Culture in Bamboo CageManingalao Freshwater Fishpond Operators Association20868,616.00
    2024Las NievesRosarioTilapia Culture in PondRosario Agrarian Reform Cooperatve28261,671.00
    2024Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangTilapia Culture in PondBalangbalang Hatchery Operators Association23261,671.00
    2024Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangPost-Harvest Equipment/MaterialsBalangbalang Pass-on Livestock Raisers Organization13101,883.00
    2024Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangTilapia Culture in PondDalicanan Fisherfolk Association16101,833.00
    2024Remedios T. RomualdezSan AntonioTilapia Culture in PondSan Antonio Fisherfolk Organization22101,833.00
    2024Remedios T. RomualdezTagbongabongTilapia Culture in PondMag-uuma Sa Tagbongabong Association26101,833.00
    2025JabongaSan JoseFishing Gear (Shallow Payao)San Jose Farmers And Fisherfolks Association191,108,455.00
    2025JabongaSan VicenteFishing Gear (Shallow Payao)Bolo-bolo Farmers And Fisherfolk Association (boffa)261,545,000.00
    2025Las NievesManingalaoPost-Harvest Equipment/MaterialsManingalao Super Mom's Association25100,000.00
    2025Las NievesManingalaoTilapia Culture in Bamboo Cage (10m x 10m x 4m)Maningalao Freshwater Fishpond Operators Association15185,000.00
    2025Las NievesRosarioPond Based-Tilapia HatcheryRosario Agrarian Reform Cooperative28185,000.00
    2025Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangPost-Harvest Equipment/MaterialsBalangbalang Pass-on Livestock Raisers Organization17100,000.00
    2025Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangPond Based-Tilapia HatcheryBalangbalang Hatchery Operators Association21125,000.00
    2025Remedios T. RomualdezBalangbalangTilapia Culture in PondDalicanan Fisherfolk Association23115,000.00
    2025Remedios T. RomualdezSan AntonioTilapia Culture in PondSan Antonio Fisherfolk Organization20115,000.00
    2025Remedios T. RomualdezTagbongabongTilapia Culture in PondMag-uuma Sa Tagbongabong Association25115,000.00
    2025SantiagoTagbuyacanTilapia Culture in Bamboo Cage (10m x 10m)Tagbuyacan Fisherfolks Association25515,000.00
    2025TubayPoblacion 1Fishing Gear (Shallow Payao)Poblacion 1 Centro Fisherfolks Organization251,488,000.00