Mountain Province

Mountain Province is located in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in northern Luzon. It is bordered by the provinces of Ifugao to the east, Kalinga to the north, Abra to the west, and Benguet to the south. Covering 2,884.99 square kilometers, Mountain Province is characterized by its rugged mountains, deep valleys, and rich biodiversity. The province is home to the famous Hanging Coffins of Echo Valley, which are part of its unique cultural heritage.

The province consists of 10 municipalities and 125 barangays, with Bontoc as the capital. Home to a population of 115,227 (2020 Census), Mountain Province is predominantly inhabited by the Bontoc, Kankanaey, and other indigenous groups. Agriculture remains the main economic activity, with rice terraces, vegetable farming, and livestock raising being integral to the province’s livelihood. The cool climate, coupled with rich soil, supports highland crops, while tourism continues to grow, attracting visitors to the scenic beauty of the province and its indigenous heritage.

Farming has been the primary source of income of residents in the Mountain Province and is the second top producer of the region for white potatoes and with 9.8% of the regional production, cabbage with 6.25% and carrots with 4.6%. SAAD Program’s farmer beneficiaries belong to the indigenous Bontok, Kankanaey, and Applai, as well as barangay units identified as ELCAC.

Despite its natural resources, Mountain Province faces challenges such as limited infrastructure, landslide-prone areas, and climate change-related risks. Rural communities struggle with access to basic services, and there is a growing need for sustainable development initiatives that balance agriculture, culture, and the environment.

Agricultural Sector

Mountain Province is primarily an agricultural province, with farming as the main source of livelihood for many of its residents.

Major Agricultural Products

  • Rice – Rice terraces, especially in Bontoc and Bauko, are central to the province’s agricultural heritage.
  • Highland vegetables – Cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and lettuce are widely cultivated for local consumption and commercial markets.
  • Fruit crops – Bananas, oranges, and pineapples are produced in some lowland areas.
  • Root crops – Sweet potatoes, taro, and yam are grown for food security and market supply.
  • Livestock – Native pigs, goats, and poultry are raised to complement agricultural production.

Mountain Province’s agriculture is characterized by smallholder family farms, with many farmers still practicing traditional farming techniques. Challenges such as soil erosion, lack of access to modern farming tools, and poor road infrastructure hinder agricultural development, particularly in remote areas.

Fisheries Sector

While Mountain Province does not have a coastal fisheries sector, it has a growing inland fisheries industry, primarily focused on freshwater fish farming.

Key Fisheries Activities

  • Aquaculture – Small-scale fish farming in ponds and rivers, focusing on tilapia and carp.
  • River fishing – Local communities rely on traditional fishing methods in the province’s rivers and streams.
  • Aquaponics – Some areas experiment with integrating fish farming and vegetable production in a sustainable farming system.

Although the fisheries sector is not as prominent as agriculture, the province is receiving increasing support to expand aquaculture and improve sustainable fish production in line with local resources.

Poverty Situation

Mountain Province has a poverty incidence of 14.7% among families (2021 data), with many rural families facing limited access to services and income-generating opportunities. Agriculture, while central to the economy, often struggles due to land degradation, low farm productivity, and lack of market access. Efforts to improve infrastructure, promote sustainable farming practices, and develop tourism aim to alleviate poverty and provide alternative sources of income.

Project Profile

DA

The DA-SAAD program in Mountain Province provides support to small-scale farmers by addressing their needs for:

  • High-value crop production support (seeds, fertilizers, and tools for vegetables and fruits)
  • Rice farming – Improved irrigation, mechanization, and post-harvest facilities for traditional rice terraces.
  • Livestock distribution – Goats, swine, and poultry for household consumption and income generation.
  • Training and capacity building – Focus on sustainable farming techniques, organic farming, and agribusiness.
Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
2024BarligFiangtinSwine ProductionFiangtin-barlig Farmers And Irrigators Association, Inc.301,105,310.00
2024BarligGawana (Pob.)Swine ProductionBarlig Women's Development Association, Inc.30897,240.00
2024BesaoBanguitanCoffee and Highland Vegetables ProductionAssociation Of Farmers And Fisherfolks Of Banguitan30591,720.00
2024BesaoLacmaanCoffee and Highland Vegetables ProductionAssociation Of Lacmaan Small Farmers And Fisherfolk, Inc.30569,020.00
2024ParacelisBananaoOyster Mushroom ProductionAkeg Farmers Association30545,420.00
2024ParacelisPoblacionTable Egg ProductionAmolong Farmer's Agriculture Cooperative30919,690.00
2024SabanganBao-AnganSquash Production and ProcessingUnified Family Credit Cooperative30509,520.00
2024SabanganCapinitanCoffee and Chayote Tops ProductionCapinitan Ug-ugbo Farmers Association30448,970.00
2024SadangaDemangSwine ProductionSukiyap Fisher Folk And Farmer's Organization30775,000.00
2024SadangaPoblacionSwine ProductionKalinglingay Fisherfolks And Farmers Organization30813,600.00
2024SagadaAntadaoChayote ProductionAntadao Farmers And Fisherfolks Association30568,350.00
2024SagadaTaccongHighland Vegetable ProductionSumika Taccong Farmers Organization30563,290.00
2025BarligFiangtinSwine FatteningFiangtin-barlig Farmers And Irrigators Association Incorporated30415,856.90
2025BarligGawana (Pob.)Swine FatteningBarlig Women's Development Association Inc.30415,856.90
2025BesaoBanguitanCoffee and Vegetable ProductionAssociation Of Farmers & Fisherfolk Of Banguitan30624,825.00
2025BesaoLacmaanCoffee and Highland Vegetables ProductionAssociation Of Lacmaan Small Scale Farmers And Fisherfolk, Inc,30874,825.00
2025ParacelisBananaoOyster Mushroom and Vermicompost ProductionAkeg Farmers Association30492,250.00
2025ParacelisPoblacionCommunal Table Egg ProductionAmolong Farmer's Agriculture Cooperative30407,446.00
2025SabanganBao-AnganSquash Production and ProcessingUnified Family Credit Cooperative30498,490.00
2025SabanganCapinitanCoffee and Chayote Tops ProductionCapinitan Ug-ugbo Farmers Association30569,100.00
2025SadangaBelwangSwine FatteningEver-wang Farmers & Fisherfolks Organization30383,614.00
2025SadangaDemangIntegrated Swine Fattening and Fruit Trees ProductionSukiyap Fisher Folk And Farmer's Organization30383,614.00
2025SagadaAntadaoChayote and Swine ProductionAntadao Farmers And Fisherfolks Organization30811,750.00
2025SagadaTaccongBell Pepper, Cucumber, Cabbage and Swine ProductionSumika Taccong Farmers Organization30762,650.00

BFAR

BFAR-SAAD initiatives aim to strengthen the province’s inland fisheries by providing:

  • Fishpond construction and rehabilitation – Support for small-scale fish farming operations.
  • Fish seed dispersal – Distribution of tilapia and carp fingerlings for aquaculture development.
  • Training on aquaculture management – Guidance on sustainable fish farming practices and water management.
  • Fishing gear provision – Tools and equipment to support local fishers in improving production.
    Year CoveredMunicipalityBarangayProjectAssociationMembersInput Amount
    2023BarligGawana (Pob.)Tilapia Culture in PondBarlig Farmers' &fisherfolks' Association Incorporated68604,167.00
    2023BesaoKin-Iway (Pob.)Tilapia Culture in PondGolinsan Farmers' &fisherfolk's Association Incorporated49604,167.00
    2023ParacelisPoblacionTilapia Culture in PondParacelis "uggadiw"farmers' &fisherfolks' Association Incorporated63604,167.00
    2023SabanganGayangTilapia Culture in PondUgugbo Farmers And Irrigators Association Inc.52604,167.00
    2023SadangaPoblacionTilapia Culture in PondAdawshat Integrated Farmers &fisherfolk Association72604,167.00
    2023SagadaPoblacion (Patay)Tilapia Culture in PondPide Ulnos Kabiyagan Organization82604,167.00
    2024BarligChupacTilapia Culture in PondBarlig Farmer's & Fisherfolks' Association23570,860.00
    2024BesaoBanguitanTilapia Culture in PondGolinsan Fisherfolk & Farmers Association Incorporated23285,430.00
    2024ParacelisPoblacionTilapia Culture in PondParacelis "uggadiw" Farmers And Fisherfolk Association Inc23285,430.00
    2024SabanganGayangTilapia Culture in PondUg-ugbo Farmers Irrigators Association Inc.23285,430.00
    2024SadangaBelwangTilapia Culture in PondAdawshat Sadanga Integrated Farmers And Fisherfolk Association23285,430.00
    2024SagadaMadongoTilapia Culture in PondMadongo Farmers And Fisherfolk Organization899,280.00
    2024SagadaPideTilapia Culture in PondPide Ulnos Kabiagan Organization15186,150.00
    2025BarligChupacTilapia Culture in PondBarlig Farmer's & Fisherfolks' Association23293,526.00
    2025BesaoBanguitanTilapia Culture in PondGolinsan Fisherfolk & Farmers Association Incorporated23293,526.00
    2025ParacelisPoblacionTilapia Culture in PondParacelis "uggadiw" Farmers And Fisherfolk Association Inc23293,526.00
    2025SabanganGayangTilapia Culture in PondUg-ugbo Farmers Irrigators Association Inc.23293,526.00
    2025SadangaBelwangTilapia Culture in PondAdawshat Sadanga Integrated Farmers And Fisherfolk Association21293,526.00
    2025SagadaMadongoTilapia Culture in PondMadongo Farmers And Fisherfolk Organization8102,096.00
    2025SagadaPideTilapia Culture in PondPide Ulnos Kabiagan Organization14191,430.00
    2026BarligChupacTilapia Culture in PondBarlig Farmer's & Fisherfolks' Association23305,118.00
    2026BesaoBanguitanTilapia Culture in PondGolinsan Fisherfolk & Farmers Association Incorporated20305,118.00
    2026ParacelisPoblacionTilapia Culture in PondParacelis "uggadiw" Farmers And Fisherfolk Association Inc23305,118.00
    2026SabanganGayangTilapia Culture in PondUg-ugbo Farmers Irrigators Association Inc.23305,118.00
    2026SadangaBelwangTilapia Culture in PondAdawshat Sadanga Integrated Farmers And Fisherfolk Association20305,118.00
    2026SagadaAngkelingTilapia Culture in PondAnkileng Farmers And Fisherfolk Organization15305,118.00