North Cotabato

North Cotabato, officially known as Cotabato Province, is a landlocked province in the SOCCSKSARGEN region of Mindanao. Its capital is Kidapawan City, a key urban center situated at the foot of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak. The province is composed of 17 municipalities and 1 component city, with a diverse population consisting of Indigenous Peoples (IP), Muslim communities, and Christian settlers.

Strategically located, North Cotabato serves as a vital transit and trade corridor between Region XI (Davao Region), Region XII, and BARMM. It boasts fertile valleys, vast plains, and upland ecosystems, making it one of Mindanao’s most productive agri-industrial provinces. Despite occasional security and peace concerns in select areas, the province is making steady progress in infrastructure, education, and local governance.

North Cotabato has also been a focal point for peacebuilding and development initiatives, especially in former conflict-affected and geographically isolated areas. With strong local government collaboration and active civil society engagement, the province is gradually transforming its rural economy while addressing long-standing socioeconomic challenges.

Agricultural Sector

Agriculture remains the economic backbone of North Cotabato, employing a majority of the population. The province is a leading producer of rubber, corn, rice, banana, coconut, cacao, coffee, and oil palm. Large areas of productive farmland are found in Kabacan, Midsayap, Matalam, Tulunan, and Makilala.

North Cotabato is known as the “Rubber Capital of the Philippines,” and its rice and corn granaries play a key role in regional food security. Agribusiness ventures, such as banana and oil palm plantations, co-exist with smallholder farming. The provincial government and the Department of Agriculture support local farmers through production inputs, irrigation, farm mechanization, postharvest facilities, and the promotion of organic and diversified farming systems.

Fisheries Sector

Although landlocked, North Cotabato has an active inland fisheries sector, primarily through aquaculture and fishpond operations. Tilapia, catfish, and native species are raised in small-scale ponds, rivers, and reservoirs, especially in areas like M’lang, Kabacan, and Midsayap. Some municipalities also engage in integrated farming, combining rice fields with fish production (rice-fish culture).

Fisherfolk cooperatives and associations benefit from support by LGUs and BFAR, including access to fingerlings, feeds, and training. While the fisheries sector is not as prominent as agriculture, it plays a key role in household nutrition and alternative income, particularly in lowland barangays near rivers and lakes.

Poverty Situation

North Cotabato is classified as a 1st class province, yet many barangays—especially in upland, remote, and IP-populated areas—continue to struggle with poverty. Factors such as limited market access, poor road conditions, intermittent peace and order issues, and climate-related risks contribute to rural deprivation.

Government data indicates moderate to high poverty incidence in select municipalities such as Magpet, Antipas, and Arakan. The national and local governments are addressing this through infrastructure projects, cash transfer programs, health and education access, and rural enterprise development. Poverty reduction is gradually improving, though disparities remain between well-connected lowland zones and marginalized highland communities.

Project Profile

DA

The Department of Agriculture’s SAAD Program in North Cotabato targets marginalized farming households, especially in conflict-affected and upland barangays. The program delivers seeds, livestock, farm tools, and capacity-building aimed at increasing productivity and food security.

Communities in municipalities like Magpet, Antipas, and President Roxas have benefited from vegetable gardening kits, native chicken dispersal, and corn production support. SAAD also strengthens farmers’ organizations to manage group enterprises and sustain their projects. The program has created meaningful improvements in both household food supply and small-scale income generation.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023AlamadaBaoIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Post Harvest Equipment SupportBao Integrated Farmers Association10625,750.00
2023AlamadaBaoCarabao ProductionSitio Bangi Farmer's Association1045,000.00
2023AlamadaDadoInorganic Upland Rice Seeds ProductionUpper Valley-dulao Farmers Association10385,500.00
2023AlamadaDadoCarabao ProductionBadak United Farmers Association1045,000.00
2023AlamadaParuayanNative Goat ProductionForestguard Farmers Association1080,000.00
2023AleosanCawilihanCarabao ProductionCawilihan Farmers Association1045,000.00
2023AleosanSan MateoSilage Making Production with Equipment SupportAleosan Raising Multipurpose Cooperative15370,250.00
2023AleosanSan MateoSupport to Dairy ProductionAleosan Raising Multipurpose Cooperative15320,250.00
2023AleosanUpper MingadingNative Goat ProductionNalpan Multipurpose Cooperative1080,000.00
2023AntipasCanaanIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Post Harvest Equipment SupportCanaan Farmers Association15389,250.00
2023AntipasMalangagNative Goat ProductionGalilee Rural Improvement Club (ric)1080,000.00
2023AntipasMalireHorse ProductionMalire Multi-sectoral Farmers Association1045,000.00
2023ArakanKabalantianInorganic Upland Rice Seeds ProductionKabalantian Sustainable Agriculture Association10385,500.00
2023ArakanLanao KuranHorse ProductionBarangay Agricultural Fishiries Farmers Organization1045,000.00
2023ArakanMakalangotNative Goat ProductionMakalangot Farmers Association1080,000.00
2023ArakanMeocanIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Post Harvest Equipment SupportPurok 2 Upper Meocan Farmers Association15389,250.00
2023BanisilanBusaonHorse ProductionKisabao Bangsamoro Farmers Association1045,000.00
2023BanisilanCarugmananIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Post Harvest Equipment SupportLower Carugman Farmers Assoiciation15389,250.00
2023BanisilanPantarInorganic Upland Rice Seeds ProductionMoroland Farmers Association10385,500.00
2023BanisilanThailandNative Goat ProductionThailand Resettled Indigenous People (trip)1080,000.00
2023MagpetDatu CeloIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Post Harvest Equipment SupportDatu Celo Farmers Association15389,250.00
2023MagpetDel PilarNative Goat ProductionDel Pilar Farmers Association1080,000.00
2023MagpetManobisaHorse ProductionManobisa Indigenous Farmers Association1045,000.00
2023MatalamKabulacanEgg ProductionRice Farmers Association Of New Tigbauan1050,000.00
2023MatalamKidamaMeat Processing with Equipment SupportKadtabanga Moro Farmers Associations1578,975.00
2023MatalamLampayanCarabao ProductionLampayan Indigenous Farmers Association1045,000.00
2023MatalamTaguranaoNative Goat ProductionLangka Integrated Farmers Association1080,000.00
2023PigkawayanKimarayangIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Post Harvest Equipment SupportPambansang Manalon Mag-uuma Magbaba-ol Magsasaka Ng Pilipinas (p4mp) Kimarayag Chapter15389,250.00
2023PigkawayanMaluaoNative Goat ProductionMalu-au Upland And Lowland Farmers Association1080,000.00
2023PigkawayanNew PanayCarabao ProductionBagong Pag-asa Credit Cooperative1045,000.00
2023PikitBalaticanCarabao ProductionSitio Quarry Free Farmers Association1045,000.00
2023PikitCalawagIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Post Harvest Equipment SupportSunshine Vegetable Farming Slp Association15389,250.00
2023PikitKolambogNative Goat ProductionKolambog Ric Association1080,000.00
2023President RoxasKisupaanNative Goat ProductionKisupaan Farmers Association1080,000.00
2023President RoxasKisupaanSilage Making ProductionKisupaan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries' Organization (kiarbo)15370,250.00
2023President RoxasSalatIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Post Harvest Equipment SupportSalat Farmers Association15389,250.00
2023President RoxasTuaelHorse ProductionBarangay Tuael Peacekeeping Farmers Association1045,000.00
2023TulunanBanayalMeat Processing with Equipment SupportTuwid Banayal Association1078,975.00
2023TulunanBituanCarabao ProductionBituan Farmer's Association1045,000.00
2023TulunanMaybulaIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Post Harvest Equipment SupportSitio Sabaan Peace And Development Farmers Association (sspdfa)15389,250.00
2023TulunanNew CulasiNative Goat ProductionNew Culasi Irrigator's Farmers Association1080,000.00
2024AlamadaBaoIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Livestock ProductionBao Integrated Farmers Association301,047,250.00
2024AlamadaDadoIntegrated Corn Production with Post Harvest Equipment Support, Vegetable and Livestock ProductionBadak United Farmers Association301,465,100.00
2024AlamadaDadoLayer Chicken ProductionUpper Valley-dulao Farmers Association20288,610.00
2024AleosanMalapangMallard Duck ProductionMalapang Ric Workers Association20350,000.00
2024AntipasMalatadLayer Chicken ProductionMalatab Womens Association20298,610.00
2024ArakanGanatanIntegrated Coffee Production with Vegetable ProductionGanatan Farmers Association20333,000.00
2024ArakanMakalangotMallard Duck ProductionMakalangot Farmers Association20365,250.00
2024ArakanMeocanLayer Chicken ProductionPurok Ii Upper Meocan Farmers Association20298,610.00
2024BanisilanBusaonIntegrated Corn Production with Post Harvest Equipment Support, Vegetable and Livestock ProductionKisabao Bangsamoro Farmers Association301,449,850.00
2024BanisilanCarugmananIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Livestock ProductionLower Carugmanan Farmers Association301,047,250.00
2024MagpetManobisaIntegrated Lakatan Production with Vegetable ProductionManobisa Indigenous Farmers Association20423,500.00
2024MagpetPoblacionMallard Duck ProductionRural Improvement Club Of Magpet20350,000.00
2024MatalamNew PandanMallard Duck ProductionNew Paradise Farmers Association20350,000.00
2024PigkawayanKimarayangIntegrated Corn Production with Vegetable Production and Livestock ProductionPambansang Manalonn, Mag-uuma, Magbabaol, Magsasaka Ng Pilipinas (p4mp) Kimarayag Chapter301,015,000.00
2024PikitTakipanLayer Chicken ProductionTakepan Gardener's Association20273,360.00
2024President RoxasIdaomanMallard Duck ProductionIdaoman Rural Improvement Club20365,250.00
2024TulunanMaybulaIntegrated Corn Production with Post Harvest Equipment Support, Vegetable and Livestock ProductionSitio Sabaan Peace And Development Farmers Association301,470,100.00
2025AlamadaBaoCorn Production with Post Harvest Equipment SupportBao Integrated Farmers Association301,233,583.33
2025AlamadaDadoIntegrated Corn Production with Post Harvest Equipment Support and Livestock ProductionBadak United Farmers Association301,085,250.00
2025AlamadaDadoLayer Chicken ProductionUpper Valley-dulao Farmers Association20313,250.00
2025AleosanMalapangMallard Duck ProductionMalapang Rural Improvement Club20280,750.00
2025AntipasMalatadLayer Chicken ProductionMalatab Womens Association20313,250.00
2025ArakanGanatanCoffee ProductionGanatan Farmers Association20468,750.00
2025ArakanMakalangotMallard Duck ProductionMakalangot Farmers Association20280,750.00
2025ArakanMeocanLayer Chicken ProductionPurok Ii Upper Meocan Farmers Association20313,250.00
2025BanisilanBusaonIntegrated Corn Production with Post Harvest Equipment Support and Livestock ProductionKisabao Bangsamoro Farmers Association301,085,250.00
2025BanisilanCarugmananCorn Production with Post Harvest Equipment SupportLower Carugmanan Farmers Association301,233,583.33
2025MagpetManobisaLakatan ProductionManobisa Indigenous Farmers Association20352,750.00
2025MagpetPoblacionMallard Duck ProductionRural Improvement Club20280,750.00
2025MatalamNew PandanMallard Duck ProductionNew Paradise Farmers Association20280,750.00
2025PigkawayanKimarayangCorn Production with Post Harvest Equipment SupportPambansang Manalonn, Mag-uuma, Mag-baba-ol,magsasaka Ng Pilipinas (p4mp)301,233,583.33
2025PikitTakipanLayer Chicken ProductionTakepan Gardener's Association20313,250.00
2025President RoxasIdaomanMallard Duck ProductionIdaoman Rural Improvement Club20280,750.00
2025TulunanMaybulaIntegrated Corn Production with Post Harvest Equipment Support and Livestock ProductionSitio Sabaan Peace And Development Farmers Association301,085,250.00
2026AlamadaBaoCorn Production with Post Harvest Equipment SupportBao Integrated Farmers Association30978,100.00
2026AlamadaDadoCorn Production with Post Harvest Equipment SupportBadak United Farmers Association30978,100.00
2026AlamadaDadoLayer Chicken ProductionUpper Valley-dulao Farmers Association201,164,750.00
2026AleosanMalapangCorn Production with Post Harvest Equipment SupportMalapang Rural Improvement Club20961,000.00
2026AntipasMalatadLayer Chicken ProductionMalatab Womens Association201,164,750.00
2026ArakanGanatanCoffee ProductionGanatan Farmers Association20491,600.00
2026ArakanMakalangotMallard Duck ProductionMakalangot Farmers Association20329,000.00
2026ArakanMeocanLayer Chicken ProductionPurok Ii Upper Meocan Farmers Association201,164,750.00
2026BanisilanBusaonCorn Production with Post Harvest Equipment SupportKisabao Bangsamoro Farmers Association3063,100.00
2026BanisilanCarugmananCorn Production with Post Harvest Equipment SupportLower Carugmanan Farmers Association30483,100.00
2026MagpetManobisaLakatan ProductionManobisa Indigenous Farmers Association20422,600.00
2026MagpetPoblacionMallard Duck ProductionRural Improvement Club Of Magpet20329,000.00
2026MatalamNew PandanMallard Duck ProductionNew Paradise Farmers Association20329,000.00
2026PigkawayanKimarayangCorn Production with Post Harvest Equipment SupportPambansang Manalonn, Mag-uuma, Mag-baba-ol,magsasaka Ng Pilipinas (p4mp)30978,100.00
2026PikitTakipanLayer Chicken ProductionTakepan Gardener's Association201,164,750.00
2026President RoxasIdaomanMallard Duck ProductionIdaoman Rural Improvement Club20329,000.00
2026TulunanMaybulaCorn Production with Post Harvest Equipment SupportSitio Sabaan Peace And Development Farmers Association30978,100.00

BFAR

The BFAR-SAAD component in North Cotabato supports inland fisherfolk in need of livelihood enhancement. Interventions include fingerlings, fish feed, tilapia cage materials, and basic aquaculture training.

The program often works in tandem with LGUs and local fisherfolk associations to ensure project sustainability. Target beneficiaries are usually located in inland lowland barangays with potential for aquaculture, including areas in Kabacan, M’lang, and Carmen. BFAR-SAAD has helped establish backyard-level fishpond enterprises and boosted fish availability in household diets.

Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2023AlamadaDadoTilapia Culture in PondDado Fisherfolk & Farmers Association301,185,998.00
2023AleosanSan MateoTilapia Culture in PondAleosan Fisherfolk Association281,185,998.00
2023AntipasMalatadTilapia Culture in PondAntipas Small Inland Fisherfolk Association Inc.301,185,998.00
2023ArakanBadiangonPond-Based Tilapia HatcheryBadiangon Centro Farmers And Fisherfolks Association301,299,504.00
2023BanisilanSolamaTilapia Culture in PondSalama Fisherfolk Association301,185,998.00
2023MagpetDolesPond-Based Tilapia HatcheryDoles Tilapia Hatchery Association301,299,504.00
2023MatalamKibiaPond-Based Tilapia HatcheryNorth Spring Fisherfolk Association301,299,504.00
2023PigkawayanMidpapan IiTilapia Culture in PondPigcawayan Fisherfolk Association301,185,998.00
2023PikitNalapaanPond-Based Tilapia HatcherySamahan Ng Magsasakang Tri People And Christian, Inc.301,299,504.00
2023President RoxasTuaelTilapia Culture in PondPres. Roxas Fisherfolks And Integrated Farming Association301,185,998.00
2023TulunanMinapanTilapia Culture in PondBumikamay Cluster Fisherfolks Association301,185,998.00
2024AlamadaDadoTilapia Culture in PondDado Farmers And Fisherfolk Asssociation301,118,000.00
2024AleosanSan MateoTilapia Culture in PondAleosan Fisherfolk Association281,118,000.00
2024AntipasMalatadTilapia Culture in PondAntipas Small Inland Fihserfolk Association, Inc.301,118,000.00
2024ArakanBadiangonPond-Based Tilapia HatcheryBadiangon Centro Farmers And Fisherfolk Association301,048,000.00
2024BanisilanSolamaTilapia Culture in PondSalama Fisherfolks Association301,118,000.00
2024MagpetDolesPond-Based Tilapia HatcheryDoles Tilapia Hatchery Association301,048,000.00
2024MatalamKibiaPond-Based Tilapia HatcheryNorth Spring Fisherfolk Association301,048,000.00
2024PigkawayanMidpapan IiTilapia Culture in PondPigcawayan Fisherfolk Association301,118,000.00
2024PikitNalapaanPond-Based Tilapia HatcherySamahan Ng Magsasakang Tri People And Christian, Inc.301,030,000.00
2024President RoxasTuaelTilapia Culture in PondPresident Roxas Fisherfolks Intergrated Farming Association301,118,000.00
2024TulunanMinapanTilapia Culture in PondBumikamay Cluster Fisherfolks Association301,118,000.00
2025AlamadaDadoTIlapia Culture in PondDado Farmers And Fisherfolk Association301,166,000.00
2025AleosanSan MateoTilapia Culture in PondAleosan Integrated Fisherfolk Association281,166,000.00
2025AntipasMalatadTilapia Culture in PondAntipas Small Inland Fisherfolk Association301,167,000.00
2025ArakanBadiangonPond-Based Tilapia HatcheryBadiangon Centro Farmers And Fisherfolk Association30985,000.00
2025BanisilanSolamaTilapia Culture in PondSalama Fisherfolk Association301,166,000.00
2025MagpetDolesPond-Based Tilapia HatcheryDoles Tilapia Hatchery Association30985,000.00
2025MatalamKibiaPond-Based Tilapia HatcheryNorth Spring Fisherfolk Association30986,000.00
2025PigkawayanMidpapan ITilapia Culture in PondPigcawayan Fisherfolk Association301,166,000.00
2025PikitNalapaanPond-Based Tilapia HatcherySamahan Ng Magsasakang Tri People And Christian, Inc.30985,000.00
2025President RoxasTuaelTilapia Culture in PondPresident Roxas Fisherfolk And Integrated Association301,166,000.00
2025TulunanMinapanTilapia Culture in PondBumikamay Cluster Fisherfolk Association301,166,000.00
2026AlamadaDadoTilapia Culture in Pond ( 600 sq. meter )Dado Farmers And Fisherfolk Association301,156,000.00
2026AleosanSan MateoTilapia Culture in PondAleosan Integrated Fisherfolk Association301,156,000.00
2026AntipasMalatadTilapia Culture in Pond ( 600 sq. meter )Antipas Small Inland Fisherfolk Association Inc.301,156,000.00
2026ArakanBadiangonVillage Type Tilapia HatcheryBadiangon Centro Farmers And Fisherfolk Association30792,000.00
2026BanisilanSolamaTilapia Culture in PondSalama Fisherfolk Association301,156,000.00
2026MagpetDolesVillage Type Tilapia HatcheryDoles Tilapia Hatchery Association30792,000.00
2026MatalamKibiaVillage type Tilapia HatcheryNorth Spring Fisherfolk Association30792,000.00
2026PigkawayanMidpapan IiTilapia Culture in PondPigcawayan Fisherfolk Association291,156,000.00
2026PikitNalapaanVillage Type Tilapia HatcherySamahan Ng Magsasakang Tri People And Christian, Inc.30792,000.00
2026President RoxasTuaelTilapia Culture in Pond ( 600 sq. meter )President Roxas Fisherfolk & Integrated Farming Association301,156,000.00
2026TulunanMinapanTilapia Culture in Pond ( 600 sq. meter )Bumikamay Cluster Fisherfolk Association301,156,000.00