Bukidnon Leads Northern Mindanao's Record-Breaking Crop Harvest
Northern Mindanao's agricultural sector has seen significant growth in recent years, with Bukidnon playing a crucial role in driving this expansion. According to data from the Department of Agriculture-Region 10 and the Philippine Statistics Authority, the region's total crop harvest surpassed 11 million metric tons in 2025, representing a 17 percent year-on-year increase.
The surge in agricultural output can be attributed largely to Bukidnon's dominant production in sugarcane, pineapples, rice, and corn. Sugarcane production jumped 54 percent to 4.73 million metric tons, while coconut output reached 1.83 million metric tons. Pineapple harvests, centered mainly in Bukidnon, rose steadily to 1.7 million metric tons.
However, not all crops showed positive results. Total rice production grew nearly 3 percent to 835,445 metric tons, but rainfed rice output dropped over 4 percent due to changing weather patterns. Bukidnon continued to lead regional rice production, accounting for over 62 percent of the total output.
Despite these figures, recent storms and pest attacks have created severe financial losses for local growers. Agriculture Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan noted that a recent outbreak of scale insects affecting sugarcane fields in Bukidnon threatened to spread to nearby crops. To combat this issue, the agency expanded its emergency field spraying capacity tenfold.
In addition to addressing crop diseases, the regional agriculture office is also investing in modern post-harvest processing facilities for corn farmers. The ₱1-billion investment plan aims to ensure that harvested corn never touches the bare ground, allowing farmers to sell high-quality, mold-free grain directly to commercial buyers at better prices.
Pacamalan emphasized that while total figures are up, recent challenges have highlighted the need for continued support and innovation in the agricultural sector. The agency is also expanding KADIWA direct-market outlets to help farmers sell directly to consumers, cutting out expensive middlemen and stabilizing retail food prices across Northern Mindanao.