Credit Assistance

Individual money lender emerged as the primary providers of financial credit assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in 2023, operating in 211 barangays, representing nearly half (49.5 percent) of all barangays. Self-help group followed as a distant second, present in 52 barangays, accounting for 12.2 percent. (Figure 1)

On the other hand, the local government unit (LGU) was the largest provider on in-kind credit assistance to farmers and fisherfolks with 213 barangays (50.0 percent), supporting one in every two barangays in the province. Farmer’s/fishermen’s organization and cooperative/association followed with presence in 174 barangays (40.8 percent) and 90 barangays (21.1 percent), respectively, indicating their significant role in rural credit assistance. (Figure 2)

Extension Services for Farmers

From 01 January to 31 December 2022, extension services for farmers were most commonly provided by Local Government Units. Specifically, LGU had extension services for farmers in 273 barangays, with Inputs/Supplies offered to 250 barangays followed by Training/Technology/Technical Assistance offered to 216 barangays, and then by Cash/Credit Assistance offered to 192 barangays.

Farmers Organization was the second largest provider, offering services to 188 barangays. Cooperative/Association came next offered to 82 barangays.

Extension Services for Fisherfolks

On the other hand, extension services for fisherfolks were most commonly provided by Local Government Units from 01 January to 31 December 2022. Specifically, LGU had extension services for fisherfolks in 94 barangays, with Training/Technology/Technical Assistance offered to 74 barangays, followed by Inputs/Supplies offered to 62 barangays, and then by Cash/Credit Assistance offered to 49 barangays.

Fishermen’s Organization was the second largest provider, offering services to 66 barangays. Cooperative/Association came next offered to 30 barangays.

Communal Garden

Various initiatives to establish communal gardens or farms have been launched in recent years, particularly in response to the Coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic and for the promotion of food security. From 01 January to 31 December 2022, “Gulayan sa Barangay” was the most widespread communal vegetables gardens or farms, present in 367 barangays (86.2 percent). Followed by Public Primary and/or Public Secondary School present in 346 barangays or 81.2 percent.

CHARLYN ROMERO-CANTOS, PhD
(Chief Administrative Officer)
Officer-in-Charge
Oriental Mindoro Provincial Statistical Office

TECHNICAL NOTES ON VITAL STATISTICS

INTRODUCTION

The Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF) is a large-scale government undertaking, geared towards the collection and compilation of basic information on the agriculture and fishery sectors in the Philippines. Over the years, the CAF has been a source of comprehensive statistics on agriculture for the use of the general public, government, business industry, research and academic institutions.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted the 2022 CAF among households and non-household entities that operated agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing activities from 01 January to 31 December 2022. Household and barangay interviews for the 2022 CAF were conducted in September 2023, while non-household interviews were conducted in May 2023.

The 2022 CAF was the seventh in a series of decennial agricultural census and the sixth in the decennial census of fisheries in the country since the first census in 1903. It was designed to collect the structural characteristics of the agricultural and fishery sectors in the country.

The Philippine Standard Geographic Code (PSGC), as of December 2022 was used to disaggregate geographic levels of the 2022 CAF.

Data Limitation

The statistics presented in this report were based on the information provided by the respondent or any responsible household member who may provide accurate answers to the questions and give correct information about the agricultural activities operated during the reference period.

Likewise, the statistics presented are based on responses from all households in 16,020 sample barangays in the country, which represent about 38 percent of the 42,046 total barangays in the country as of December 2022.

The data referring to agricultural holdings/farms in this report were tabulated according to the agricultural holder's/operator's residence, while data referring to holding/farm parcels were tabulated according to their geographic location.

Reference Period

All households in the sample barangay were listed and interviewed to determine the presence of household members who were operators - those who managed or operated crops, livestock/poultry and/or insects/worms, aquaculture, and/or fishing activity - during the period 01 January to 31 December 2022. The identified operators were interviewed to collect data on the basic characteristics of their agricultural, aquaculture, and/or fishing activities using the Core Questionnaires. The reference period for household characteristics and inventory of livestock and poultry is 01 September 2023.

Likewise, all non-household entities with crop farm, livestock and poultry farm (including culturing of insects/worms), aquaculture operation, and fishing operation during the reference period 01 January to 31 December 2022 and have an economic value were also covered in 2022 CAF, which was a rider to the 2023 Updating of the List of Establishments (2023 ULE). They were asked to accomplish the 2022 CAF non-household questionnaires to collect data on the details of their agricultural, aquaculture, and fishing activities. These include the farm and fisheries operations for commercial, personal consumption, and research purposes.

Moreover, for barangay interviews, the Punong Barangay or acting Punong Barangays or any incumbent barangay official was interviewed to gather information on the presence/availability of facilities, input dealers, and service providers related to agriculture, aquaculture, and fisheries in all barangays (including non-sample barangays).

Definition of Terms and Concepts

A financial credit institution is a person/group of persons or financial institutions who/that provide credits for purposes related to agricultural, aquaculture, or fishing operations. This includes banks (commercial, government, and/or cooperative banks), microfinance institutions, individual money lenders, self-help groups, among others. These individuals/institutions are bound by terms and conditions, such as when the farmer or fisherman defaults on the term of the loan, a form of collateral may be sold, and the proceeds may be used to pay off the loan.

Extension service and/or service training to farmers refers to educational programs and activities designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of farmers in various aspects of agricultural practices and related services. This type of training aims to provide farmers with the necessary tools, techniques, and information to improve their productivity, profitability, and sustainability. 

Extension services involve the dissemination of agricultural research findings, best practices, and innovative technologies to farmers. This may include workshops, seminars, field demonstrations, and one-on-one interactions with agricultural experts or extension officers. The goal is to transfer knowledge and practical skills to farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions and adopt improved farming techniques.

Service training, on the other hand, focuses on providing farmers with specialized skills and services beyond basic agricultural practices. This can include training in areas such as pest and disease management, soil fertility enhancement, irrigation techniques, post-harvest handling, marketing strategies, and financial management. The objective is to equip farmers with a broader range of expertise that can enhance their efficiency, competitiveness, and overall success in agricultural endeavors.

A communal vegetable garden or farm refers to a shared or collective agricultural space within a community where individuals or groups come together to cultivate vegetables for consumption and potentially for other purposes such as education, community engagement, or food security. It is a collaborative effort involving community members, organizations, or institutions working together to plan, develop, maintain, and utilize the garden or farm.
In a communal vegetable garden or farm, individuals or groups may contribute their time, resources, and expertise to grow a variety of vegetables using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. The garden or farm can be located on public or private land, such as community centers, schools, parks, vacant lots, or designated areas within the barangay. This question was asked using the reference period 01 January to 31 December 2022.