By Giselle P. Jordan

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is hopeful that data will show the country’s farming and fisheries production value improved last year, the agency’s spokesman Arnel de Mesa told reporters over the weekend.

“We‘ll wait [for the results], hopefully [they’re] better,“ de Mesa said, referring to the 2025 fourth-quarter (Q4) and full-year agriculture and fisheries value of production data to be released this week by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

As for this year’s output projections, de Mesa said he needs to consult management for exact figures.

He said the National Rice Program will have a minimum production of 20.3 million metric tons (MT) of palay (unhusked rice). This projection is more than the record-high 20.06 million MT produced in 2023.

Palay accounts for the biggest share in crop and grain production, de Mesa said, adding that the DA is also expecting a bigger yield from corn.

The poultry sector usually comprises the biggest farming output every year, de Mesa pointed out while noting that the swine industry is starting to recover.

Fisheries, on the other hand, constantly records a lower output, which could be better this year, de Mesa said.

Focus food groups

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered that high-value crops production management be divided into three focus groups: local production, export, and coffee.

Local production is composed of traditional crops. Export covers 10 commodities including banana, avocado, pineapple, rambutan, and dragon fruit.

Drop in self-rated food poverty

Meanwhile, de Mesa welcomed the drop in self-rated food poverty to 30 percent in Q4 2025 from 49 percent in Q3, according to a survey by OCTA Research.

The government’s P20-per-kilogram rice (Benteng Bigas Meron Na!) program could have contributed to the improved figures, de Mesa said, noting that the PSA’s report of slower food inflation was driven by negative inflation in rice.

He reiterated that the DA targets the cheap rice program to benefit 15 million households or 60 million individuals by the year-end. Latest data showed it has reach 2.41 million beneficiaries across the country, selling some 24,000 MT of rice worth P530 million.

Aside from the DA, interventions by the departments of Social Welfare and Development, Interior and Local Government, and Trade and Industry have helped alleviate food poverty in the country, de Mesa said.

Published Date: January 26, 2026