Ifugao

Ifugao is a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), located in the northern part of Luzon. It is bordered by Mountain Province to the north, Isabela to the east, Nueva Vizcaya to the south, and Benguet to the west. With a total land area of 2,628.21 square kilometers, Ifugao is known for its rugged mountains, deep valleys, and forested landscapes.

The province consists of 11 municipalities and 175 barangays, with Lagawe as the capital. Ifugao is home to the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of the province’s rich cultural heritage. The province is predominantly inhabited by the Ifugao people, an indigenous group known for their ancient rice cultivation techniques, craftsmanship, and vibrant traditions.

The economy of Ifugao revolves around agriculture, handicrafts, and tourism. Rice farming, particularly heirloom rice production, plays a significant role in the province’s identity and livelihood. The tourism sector is also a major contributor, attracting visitors to its terraces, waterfalls, and cultural festivals. However, challenges such as land degradation, climate change, and limited infrastructure continue to affect development in the province.

Agricultural Sector

Agriculture remains the backbone of Ifugao’s economy, with rice farming as the dominant industry.

Major Agricultural Products

  • Heirloom Rice – Indigenous rice varieties such as Tinawon are cultivated using traditional methods.
  • Corn – Grown in upland areas as a staple and livestock feed.
  • High-value crops – Coffee, bananas, citrus fruits, and root crops are produced for local consumption and trade.
  • Vegetables – Cabbage, beans, and eggplant are cultivated in some highland areas.
  • Livestock – Farmers raise cattle, pigs, and native chickens for additional income.

Ifugao’s traditional rice farming system, passed down through generations, faces challenges such as youth migration, irrigation problems, and declining interest in farming. Government support focuses on agricultural modernization and organic farming promotion to sustain productivity.

Fisheries Sector

Ifugao’s fisheries sector is small but growing, primarily consisting of inland aquaculture and river fishing.

Key Fisheries Activities

  • Freshwater fish farming – Tilapia and carp are raised in small fishponds and tanks.
  • Integrated farming systems – Fish culture is combined with rice farming in some areas.
  • River and stream fishing – Some communities rely on traditional fishing methods for subsistence.

Despite its potential, the province’s fisheries sector is limited due to the mountainous terrain and lack of large water bodies. Government programs are working to expand fish production and improve aquaculture techniques.

Poverty Situation

As of 2021, Benguet had a poverty incidence of 2.4%, the lowest in the Cordillera region. This is due to its strong agricultural economy, trade networks, and access to urban markets like Baguio City. However, rural farming communities still struggle with fluctuating vegetable prices, natural disasters, and transportation costs.

Project Profile

DA

The SAAD program in Ifugao prioritized the preservation of traditional agricultural practices in Ifugao while promoting sustainable farming techniques and enhancing market access for farmers. The program’s integrated livelihood projects, encompassing highland vegetables like cabbage, cucumber, carrot, sweet peas, beans, bell pepper, squash, and tomato, were designed to provide both immediate and long-term benefits.

      Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
      2024AsipuloCamandagHighland Vegetable ProductionCamandag Farmers Association30691,920.00
      2024AsipuloPulaHighland Vegetable ProductionPula Farmer's Association30595,320.00
      2024HingyonMompoliaHighland Vegetable ProductionMompolia Small-scale Farmer's Organization30637,720.00
      2024HingyonPiwongHighland Vegetable ProductionEl Paso Farmers Organization30638,820.00
      2024TinocBinablayanHighland Vegetable ProductionPulyang Farmers And Fisherfolks Organization30668,920.00
      2024TinocGumhangHighland Vegetable ProductionGumhang Agricultural Livelihood Association30716,620.00
      2025AsipuloCamandagHighland Vegetable (Tomato, Squash, Beans, Bell Pepper, Cucumber)30625,422.00
      2025AsipuloPulaHighland (Tomato, Bell Pepper, Cabbage, Squash) Vegetable and Table Egg ProductionPula Farmer's Association30768,050.00
      2025HingyonMompoliaHighland Vegetable (Tomato, Bell Pepper, Beans, Cucumber) and Swine ProductionMompolia Small-scale Farmer's Organization30389,400.00
      2025HingyonPiwongTomato and Bell Pepper and Swine ProductionEl Paso Farmers Organization30442,900.00
      2025TinocBinablayanTomato, Carrot, Sweet Peas and Table Egg ProductionPulyang Farmers And Fisherfolks Organization30768,050.00
      2025TinocGumhangHighland Vegetable (Tomato, Cabbage, Carrots, Cucumber) and Broiler ProductionGumhang Agricultural Livelihood Association30615,372.00

      BFAR

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

      • Fingerling distribution for tilapia and carp production
      • Establishment of community fishponds and hatcheries
      • Training on aquaculture management and post-harvest techniques
      • Provision of fishing gear and technical support
      Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
      2023BombonSan Jose (Pob.)Tilapia Culture in PondBombon Fishpond Operators Association571,450,744.00
      2023BuhiSanta IsabelFishing Gear and ParaphernaliaBuhi Indigenous People Farmers And Fishermen Association191,286,680.00
      2023CabusaoPandanFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Samahang Mangingisda Ng Pandan42972,552.00
      2023CamaliganTarosananFishing Gear and ParaphernaliaTeam Camaligan Hanap-buhay Association201,100,980.00
      2023GainzaCagbungaFishing Gear and ParaphernaliaCagbunga Fisherfolk Association201,286,680.00
      2023GarchitorenaMansangatFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Mansangat Farmers And Fishermen Association20421,940.00
      2023GoaGimagaTilapia Culture in PondGoa Fisherfolk And Farmers Association651,078,976.00
      2023LibmananTinalmud NuevoFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Punto Asul Fisherfolk Association30560,940.00
      2023SagñayNatoFishing Gear (Bottom Set Gillnet)Sikap Parapangke Association50934,900.00
      2023San FernandoCotmoFishing Gear and ParaphernaliaSan Fernando Fisherfolk Association351,336,179.00
      2023SirumaPinitanSeaweed CultureSamahan Ng Mga Mangingisda Ng Pinitan (smp), Inc34984,000.00
      2023TigaonSan AntonioTilapia Culture in PondTigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association521,450,744.00
      2024BombonSan Jose (Pob.)Tilapia and Catfish Culture in PondBombon Fishpond Operator Association431,408,548.00
      2024BuhiSanta IsabelTilapia Culture in Modified CageBuhi Indigenous Peoples Farmers And Fishermen Agriculture Cooperative18766,000.00
      2024CabusaoPandanFishing Gear and ParaphernaliaSamahang Mangingisda Ng Pandan421,802,200.00
      2024CamaliganTarosananFishing Gear and ParaphernaliaTeam Camaligan Hanap-buhay Association20130,000.00
      2024GainzaCagbungaFishing Gear (Freshwater Gillnet)Cagbunga Fisherfolk Association19185,000.00
      2024GarchitorenaMansangatMotorized boat (22 footer)Mansangat Farmers And Fisherfolk Association17868,000.00
      2024GoaGimagaTilapia Culture in PondGoa Fisherfolk And Farmers Association62848,894.00
      2024LibmananTinalmud NuevoMotorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and ParaphernaliaPunto Asul Fisherfolk Organization30868,000.00
      2024SagñayNatoFishing Gear and ParaphernaliaSikap Parapangke Association501,232,885.00
      2024San FernandoCotmoMotorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and ParaphernaliaSan Fernando Coastal Fisherfolk Association28868,000.00
      2024SirumaPinitanFishing Gear (Crab Entangling Net and Crab/Squid Pot) in Support to Seaweed CultureSamahan Ng Mga Mangigisda Ng Pinitan (smp), Inc30808,404.00
      2024TigaonSan AntonioTilapia Culture in PondTigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association33848,894.00
      2025BombonSan Jose (Pob.)Catfish Culture in PondBombon Fishpond Operators Association451,272,050.00
      2025BuhiSanta IsabelTilapia Culture in 1900 sqm Modified Cage in Support to Fishing Gear and ParaphernaliaBuhi Indigenous Peoples Farmers Fisherfolk Agriculture Cooperative191,861,380.00
      2025CabusaoPandanNon-motorized boat (30 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and ParaphernaliaSamahang Mangingisda Ng Pandan421,499,500.00
      2025CamaliganTarosananFishing Gear and ParaphernaliaTeam Camaligan Hanapbuhay Association19500,605.00
      2025GainzaCagbungaFishing Gear (Freshwater Gillnet)Cagbunga Fisherfolk Association21302,200.00
      2025GarchitorenaMansangatMotorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and ParaphernaliaMansangat Farmers And Fishermen Association20324,000.00
      2025GoaGimagaTilapia Culture in PondGoa Fisherfolks And Farmers Association631,813,380.00
      2025LibmananTinalmud NuevoMotorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and ParaphernaliaPunto Azul Fisherfolk Organization301,435,080.00
      2025SagñayNatoMilkfish Culture in PondSikap Parapangke Association461,654,550.00
      2025San FernandoPinamasaganMotorized boat (22 footer) in Support to Fishing Gear and ParaphernaliaSan Fernando Fisherfolk Association291,227,408.00
      2025SirumaPinitanSeaweed CultureSamahan Ng Mangingisda Ng Pinitan Inc.34210,000.00
      2025TigaonSan AntonioTilapia Culture in PondTigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association421,644,130.00