Agusan Del Sur

Agusan del Sur is located in the Caraga Region of Mindanao, bordered by Agusan del Norte to the north, Surigao del Sur to the east, Davao del Norte to the south, and Bukidnon to the west. With a land area of 8,965.10 square kilometers, Agusan del Sur is characterized by dense forests, river systems, and mountainous terrain. The province is home to the Agusan River, the longest river in Mindanao, which is central to its agricultural and fishing activities.

The province consists of 13 municipalities, 1 city, and 305 barangays, with Bunawan as the capital. Agusan del Sur has a population of 711,000 (2020 Census), primarily composed of Cebuano-speaking people, along with Manobo and other indigenous communities residing in the uplands. Agusan del Sur’s economy is primarily driven by agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and mining, although the province remains one of the more economically challenged areas in the region.

Despite its rich natural resources, Agusan del Sur faces several challenges, including poor infrastructure, low agricultural productivity, poverty, and vulnerability to flooding and natural disasters. The provincial government, along with national agencies, is working on improving the livelihoods of rural communities, promoting sustainable land use, and enhancing economic opportunities for its people.

Agricultural Sector

Agriculture plays a significant role in the economy of Agusan del Sur, with rice, coconut, corn, and high-value crops being the major agricultural products.

Major Agricultural Products

  • Rice – The province is one of the top rice producers in the Caraga region, with most rice farms located in the lowland areas along the Agusan River.
  • Coconut – Coconut farming is widespread, with large plantations producing copra for export and local processing.
  • Corn – Grown for both food consumption and livestock feed.
  • High-value crops – Bananas, pineapples, cassava, and vegetables are cultivated for local markets.
  • Livestock and poultry – Native pigs, chickens, and cattle are raised for food and income generation.

The agricultural sector is impacted by soil degradation, limited access to modern farming techniques, and lack of irrigation infrastructure in some areas. However, agricultural extension services and sustainable farming projects are being implemented to improve yields and farming practices.

Fisheries Sector

The fisheries sector of Agusan del Sur is largely centered on inland fisheries, particularly along the Agusan River and the numerous lakes and smaller rivers that feed into it.

Key Fisheries Activities

  • Aquaculture – Fish farming in ponds and rivers, with species such as tilapia, bangus (milkfish), and catfish.
  • Freshwater fishing – The Agusan River is a major source of fish, with local fishermen utilizing traditional and modern fishing techniques.
  • Integrated farming systems – Combining fish culture with rice farming to increase productivity and ensure food security.

The fisheries sector in Agusan del Sur is vital for local food security and income but faces challenges such as overfishing, poor fishing practices, and pollution. Government programs aim to boost fish production and improve sustainable fishing practices across the province.

Poverty Situation

Agusan del Sur has a poverty incidence of 39.4% (2021 data), making it one of the provinces with the highest poverty rates in the region. The rural areas, which are highly dependent on agriculture and fisheries, continue to struggle with low incomes, limited access to basic services, and poor infrastructure.

Efforts to address poverty focus on improving agricultural productivity, expanding market access, promoting alternative livelihoods, and investing in education and healthcare. Social development programs are also being implemented to increase the resilience of rural communities to natural disasters and other risks.

Project Profile

BFAR

The BFAR-SAAD program in Agusan del Sur focuses on enhancing the fisheries sector and supporting small-scale fishers through:

  • Tilapia and bangus fingerling distribution to promote sustainable aquaculture.
  • Fishpond construction, rehabilitation, and fisheries infrastructure to support aquaculture development.
  • Aquaculture training on fish health management, water quality improvement, and sustainable fishing practices.
  • Fishing gear and equipment to improve harvest management and reduce post-harvest losses.
    Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
    2023BunawanConsueloTilapia Culture in PondGuava Upland Livelihood Association17101,773.00
    2023BunawanConsueloTilapia Culture in PondKalingayan Farmers Fishpond Livelihood Association15101,773.00
    2023EsperanzaGuadalupeTilapia Culture in PondGuadalupe United Farmers Association22101,773.00
    2023EsperanzaOroTilapia Culture in PondCanal Oro Farmers Association23101,773.00
    2023EsperanzaOroTilapia Culture in Bamboo Cage (10m x 10m x 2.5m)Canal Oro Farmers Association (cofa)15205,470.00
    2023EsperanzaTandang SoraTilapia Culture in PondTandang Sora Organic Farmers Association24101,773.00
    2023La PazValentinaTilapia Culture in PondSangurda Usad Farmers Association22101,773.00
    2023LoretoKasapaTilapia Culture in PondIndigenous Peoples Farmers Association Of Loreto16101,733.00
    2023LoretoPoblacionTilapia Culture in PondBantay Danao Loreto Association13101,733.00
    2023Prosperidad (Capital)AuroraTilapia Culture in PondCamacawan Farmers Association16101,733.00
    2023Prosperidad (Capital)Poblacion (Bahbah)Tilapia Culture in PondPuting Buhangin Fisherfolk And Farmers Association23101,733.00
    2023RosarioBayugan 3Tilapia Culture in PondBuenasuerte Farmers Association20101,773.00
    2023RosarioBayugan 3Tilapia Culture in PondBayugan 3 Upland Diversified Farmers Association15101,773.00
    2023RosarioSanta CruzTilapia Culture in PondAnoling Farmers Association19101,773.00
    2023San LuisDon AlejandroTilapia Culture in PondMonte Verde Farmers Association19101,733.00
    2023San LuisMahayahayTilapia Culture in Bamboo Cage (10m x 10m x 2.5m)Tagbulakan Farmers Association21101,773.00
    2023San LuisSanta InesTilapia Culture in PondCamansi Farmers Association23101,733.00
    2023SibagatIlihanTilapia Culture in PondIlihan Farmers Association16101,773.00
    2023SibagatNew TubigonTilapia Culture in PondNew Tubigon Fisherfolk Association20101,773.00
    2023TalacogonZilloviaTilapia Culture in PondTalacogon Farmers & Fisherfolk Association15101,773.00
    2023TalacogonZilloviaTilapia Culture in PondHugpong Mag-uuma Zilovia Farmers Association16101,773.00
    2023TalacogonZilloviaTilapia Culture in PondAgipawa Farmers Irrigators Association20101,733.00
    2023TrentoNew VisayasTilapia Culture in PondNew Visayas Usad Farmers Association16101,773.00
    2023VeruelaDon MateoTilapia Culture in PondTag-anahaw Solar Dryer Farmers Association16101,773.00
    2024BunawanConsueloTilapia Culture in PondGuava Upland Livelihood Association17110,000.00
    2024BunawanConsueloTilapia Culture in PondKalingayan Farmers Fishpond Livelihood Association15110,000.00
    2024EsperanzaGuadalupeTilapia Culture in PondGuadalupe United Farmers Association22110,000.00
    2024EsperanzaOroTilapia Culture in PondCanal Oro Farmers Association (cofa)23110,000.00
    2024EsperanzaOroTilapia Culture in Bamboo CageCanal Oro Farmers Association15110,000.00
    2024EsperanzaTandang SoraTilapia Culture in PondTandang Sora Organic Farmers Association24110,000.00
    2024La PazValentinaTilapia Culture in PondSangurda Usad Farmers Association24110,000.00
    2024LoretoKasapaTilapia Culture in PondIndigenous Peoples Farmers Association Of Loreto16110,000.00
    2024LoretoPoblacionTilapia Culture in PondBantay Danao Loreto Association13110,000.00
    2024Prosperidad (Capital)AuroraTilapia Culture in PondCamacawan Farmers Association16110,000.00
    2024Prosperidad (Capital)Poblacion (Bahbah)Tilapia Culture in PondPuting Buhangin Fisherfolk And Farmers Association22110,000.00
    2024RosarioBayugan 3Tilapia Culture in PondBuenasuerte Farmers Association24110,000.00
    2024RosarioBayugan 3Tilapia Culture in PondBayugan 3 Upland Diversified Farmers Association14110,000.00
    2024RosarioSanta CruzTilapia Culture in PondAnoling Farmers Association19110,000.00
    2024San LuisDon AlejandroTilapia Culture in PondMonte Verde Farmers Association19110,000.00
    2024San LuisMahayahayTilapia Culture in Bamboo CageTagbulakan Farmers Association21148,000.00
    2024San LuisSanta InesTilapia Culture in PondCamansi Farmers Association23110,000.00
    2024SibagatIlihanTilapia Culture in PondIlihan Farmers Association16110,000.00
    2024SibagatNew TubigonTilapia Culture in PondNew Tubigon Fisherfolk Association20110,000.00
    2024TalacogonZilloviaTilapia Culture in PondTalacogon Farmers & Fisherfolk Association15110,000.00
    2024TalacogonZilloviaTilapia Culture in PondHugpong Mag-uuma Zilovia Farmers Association16110,000.00
    2024TalacogonZilloviaTilapia Culture in PondAgipawa Farmers Irrigators Association20110,000.00
    2024TrentoNew VisayasTilapia Culture in PondNew Visayas Usad Farmers Association20110,000.00
    2024VeruelaDon MateoTilapia Culture in PondTag-anahaw Solar Dryer Farmers Association15110,000.00
    2025BunawanConsueloTilapia Culture in PondGuava Upland Livelihood Association17175,000.00
    2025BunawanConsueloTilapia Culture in PondKalingayan Farmers Fishpond Livelihood Association15175,000.00
    2025EsperanzaGuadalupeTilapia Culture in PondGuadalupe United Farmers Association22175,000.00
    2025EsperanzaOroTilapia Culture in PondCanal Oro Farmers Association (cofa) - Fishpond14175,000.00
    2025EsperanzaOroTilapia Culture in PondCanal Oro Farmers Association15255,000.00
    2025EsperanzaTandang SoraTilapia Culture in PondTandang Sora Organic Farmers Association24175,000.00
    2025La PazValentinaTilapia Culture in PondSangurda Usad Farmers Association18175,000.00
    2025LoretoKasapaTilapia Culture in PondIndigenous Peoples Farmers Association Of Loreto16175,000.00
    2025LoretoPoblacionTilapia Culture in PondBantay Danao Loreto Association15175,000.00
    2025Prosperidad (Capital)AuroraTilapia Culture in PondCamacawan Farmers Association16175,000.00
    2025Prosperidad (Capital)SalvacionTilapia Culture in PondPuting Buhangin Fisherfolk And Farmers Association22175,000.00
    2025RosarioBayugan 3Tilapia Culture in PondBuenasuerte Farmers Association24175,000.00
    2025RosarioBayugan 3Tilapia Culture in PondBayugan 3 Upland Diversified Farmers Association15175,000.00
    2025RosarioSanta CruzTilapia Culture in PondAnoling Farmers Association20175,000.00
    2025San LuisDon AlejandroTilapia Culture in PondMonte Verde Farmers Association23175,000.00
    2025San LuisMahayahayTilapia Culture in PondTagbulakan Farmers Association21175,000.00
    2025San LuisSanta InesTilapia Culture in PondCamansi Farmers Association23175,000.00
    2025SibagatIlihanTilapia Culture in PondIlihan Farmers Association16175,000.00
    2025SibagatNew TubigonTilapia Culture in PondNew Tubigon Fisherfolk Association20175,000.00
    2025TalacogonZilloviaTilapia Culture in PondHugpong Mag-uuma Zilovia Farmers Association16175,000.00
    2025TalacogonZilloviaTilapia Culture in PondTalacogon Farmers & Fisherfolk Association15175,000.00
    2025TalacogonZilloviaTilapia Culture in PondAgipawa Farmers Irrigators Association20175,000.00
    2025TrentoNew VisayasTilapia Culture in PondNew Visayas Usad Farmers Association16175,000.00
    2025VeruelaDon MateoTilapia Culture in PondTag-anahaw Solar Dryer Farmers Association15175,000.00