Surigao Del Norte

Agriculture is a major economic activity in Surigao del Norte. The province utilizes about 55% of its total land area for farming. Major crops cultivated include rice, coconut, and various root crops. It also has areas dedicated to organic farming, with the Department of Agriculture providing support for sustainable practices. While specific recent comprehensive data on overall agricultural output for 2024-2025 is limited, the sector continues to be a primary source of livelihood. The DA’s SAAD program is actively supporting farmer groups, including those involved in egg production and other crops, to improve their income and productivity. The presence of both mainland farms and island agricultural activities contributes to the province’s diverse agricultural landscape.

The fisheries sector is crucial for Surigao del Norte, given its extensive coastline and numerous islands. Fishing is a significant livelihood for many communities, with both municipal and commercial fisheries contributing to the local economy. While national data for the first quarter of 2025 indicates a decline in marine municipal fisheries (down 6.5%) but an increase in inland municipal fisheries (up 30.7%) and aquaculture (up 4.9%), specific figures for Surigao del Norte were not isolated. However, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is actively implementing projects like the Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCORE) program in the province, benefiting LGUs such as Malimono, San Francisco, and Surigao City. These initiatives aim to improve the income of fisherfolk and ensure sustainable utilization of aquatic resources, including projects on milkfish fry production and bangus production in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cages.

The DA (Department of Agriculture) SAAD (Special Area for Agricultural Development) program is a significant intervention in Surigao del Norte, directly targeting poverty reduction among farmers. Under SAAD Phase 2, the program continues to provide livelihood projects and support to farmers’ associations. In 2023, 18 farmers’ associations from the province received a total of PHP 16.4 million worth of support packages. These projects included egg production, which proved successful with groups earning significant income from selling eggs. Other projects focused on banana, abaca, vegetable, pineapple, and cacao production. The DA-SAAD program also provides comprehensive interventions like ready-to-lay pullets, feeds, farm inputs, and training on production and management, aiming to establish sustainable income sources for the beneficiaries.