Benguet

Benguet is a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), situated in the northern part of Luzon. It is bordered by Mountain Province to the north, Ifugao to the east, Nueva Vizcaya to the southeast, Pangasinan to the south, and La Union and Ilocos Sur to the west. Covering 2,769.08 square kilometers, Benguet is characterized by highland plateaus, deep valleys, and mountain ranges, including Mt. Pulag, the second-highest peak in the Philippines, it is also known for its high-altitude agricultural areas, particularly for vegetable production. It is located in the central part of CAR with a cool climate and fertile soil.

.The province is composed of 13 municipalities and 140 barangays, with La Trinidad as its capital. Benguet is home to a population of 460,683 (2020 Census), consisting mainly of Ibalois, Kankana-eys, and Ilocanos. The cool climate, fertile soil, and extensive highland terrains make Benguet the leading vegetable-producing province in the Philippines, earning it the title “Salad Bowl of the Philippines”. Apart from agriculture, Benguet has a rich mining history, with gold and copper deposits supporting the province’s economy.

Benguet’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, with vegetable farming, coffee production, and livestock raising as primary industries. The province is also a key tourism hub, attracting visitors with its scenic landscapes, strawberry farms, and cultural heritage sites. However, land erosion, climate change, and urban expansion pose challenges to its agricultural sustainability.

Agricultural Sector

Benguet is the leading vegetable-producing province in the Philippines, supplying 80% of the country’s highland vegetables. Farming is done in La Trinidad, Atok, Buguias, Kabayan, and Mankayan, where the cool climate allows year-round production.

Major Crops
  • Leafy Vegetables – Lettuce, cabbage, pechay, and celery
  • Root Crops – Carrots, potatoes, radish, and sayote
  • Fruits – Strawberries (Benguet is the country’s top strawberry producer)
  • Cut Flowers – Chrysanthemums and roses for local and export markets

Benguet farmers rely on greenhouses and drip irrigation systems to maintain productivity. The Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) in La Trinidad is the largest vegetable trading hub in the country, connecting farmers to markets nationwide.

Fisheries Sector

Since Benguet is landlocked, its fisheries sector is limited to inland and aquaculture fishing. Fisherfolk engage in:

  • Freshwater fish farming (tilapia, carp, catfish)
  • Trout farming (introduced in cold rivers in Bakun and Kabayan)
  • Small-scale backyard fishponds

The provincial government, along with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), supports fisherfolk with fingerlings, feeds, and technical assistance to improve local fish production.

Poverty Situation

Ifugao has a poverty incidence of 17.3% among families (2021 data), making it one of the more vulnerable provinces in CAR. Limited road networks, climate-related disasters, and lack of alternative livelihoods contribute to economic challenges. Efforts to promote tourism, agribusiness, and cultural industries aim to reduce poverty levels in the province.

Project Profile

DA

Under SAAD, the Department of Agriculture provides direct support to marginalized farmers in Benguet through:

  • Vegetable and root crop production projects (seedlings, fertilizers, and farm inputs)
  • Livestock distribution (chicken and goats for livelihood diversification)
  • Farm mechanization programs (plows, irrigation pumps, and post-harvest equipment)
  • Training on organic farming and agribusiness
Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2024KibunganBadeoRevival of Ubi, Coffee, and Ginger ProductionBadeo Te-eng Organization30766,120.00
2024KibunganLuboHighland Vegetable ProductionLubo Farmers Agriculture Cooperative30642,020.00
2024SablanBalluayHighland Vegetable ProductionBoyboy Farmers Association30751,920.00
2024SablanKamogHighland Vegetable ProductionKamog Sablan Multi-purpose Cooperative30494,970.00
2024TublayBasilHighland Vegetable ProductionBasil Aduyon Multipurpose Cooperative30793,770.00
2024TublayTublay CentralHighland Vegetable ProductionTublay Central Aduyon Farmers Association30727,720.00
2025KibunganBadeoUbe, Coffee, Ginger and Swine ProductionBadeo Te-eng Organization30597,050.00
2025KibunganLuboHighland Vegetable (Bell Pepper and Sayote) ProductionLubo Farmers Agriculture Cooperative30656,781.71
2025SablanBalluayHighland Vegetable (Beans and Tomato) and Table Egg Production BalluayBoyboy Farmers Association30740,300.00
2025SablanKamogHighland Vegetable (Beans, Ampalaya, Sitao, and Cucumber) ProductionKamog Sablan Multi-purpose Cooperative30822,118.80
2025TublayBasilHighland Vegetable Production (Bell Pepper, Tomato, Beans, Cucumber)Basil Aduyon Multipurpose Cooperative30879,118.93
2025TublayTublay CentralHighland Vegetable Production (Beans, Bell Pepper, Cucumber)Tublay Central Aduyon Farmers Association30891,008.93

BFAR

SAAD initiatives under BFAR focus on strengthening Benguet’s inland fisheries through:

  • Fingerling dispersal for tilapia and carp farming
  • Technical training on sustainable aquaculture
  • Construction of fishponds and hatcheries
  • Provision of fish feeds and post-harvest tools
Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023SablanBanengbengTilapia Culture in PondFisherfolk Ofsablan Highlands (fish)17575,000.00
2023TublayAmbongdolanTilapia Culture in PondAmbongdolan Fisherfolk Association (afa)25287,500.00
2023TublayDaclanTilapia Culture in PondFisherfolk Organization Of Daclan (food)18287,500.00
2024KibunganPalinaTilapia Culture in PondPalina Nigay Indigenous Fisherfolk Association18184,740.00
2024KibunganPalinaTilapia Culture in PondPalina Person With Disabilities Association2161,580.00
2024SablanBanengbengTilapia Culture in PondFisherfolk Ofsablan Highlands (fish)17566,536.00
2024TublayAmbongdolanTilapia Culture in PondAmbongdolan Fisherfolk Association25338,690.00
2024TublayDaclanTilapia Culture in PondFisherfolk Organization Of Daclan18227,846.00
2025KibunganPalinaTilapia Culture in PondPalina Nigay Indigenous Fisherfolk Association1862,620.00
2025KibunganPalinaTilapia Culture in PondPalina Person With Disabilities Association21313,100.00
2025SablanBanengbengTilapia Culture in PondFisherfolk Of Sablan Highlands (fish)16413,292.00
2025TublayAmbongdolanTilapia Culture in PondAmbongdolan Fisherfolk Association25280,537.60
2025TublayDaclanTilapia Culture in PondFisherfolk Organization Of Daclan15132,754.40
2026KibunganPalinaTilapia Culture in PondPalina Nigay Indigenous Fisherfolk Association17331,650.00
2026KibunganPalinaTilapia Culture in PondPalina Person With Disabilities Association1666,330.00
2026SablanBanengbengTilapia Culture in PondFisherfolk Of Sablan Highlands (fish)15437,778.00
2026TublayAmbongdolanTilapia Culture in PondAmbongdolan Fisherfolk Association25297,158.40
2026TublayDaclanTilapia Culture in PondFisherfolk Organization Of Daclan15140,619.60