
Nueva Vizcaya declared ‘Ginger Capital of the Philippines'
Nueva Vizcaya produced 7,140 metric tons of ginger from 933 hectares of land in 2024. File photo
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially declared Nueva Vizcaya the 'Ginger Capital of the Philippines,' given the province's continued lead in ginger production, supplying major trading hubs across the country.
In a statement, the DA cited Nueva Vizcaya's production of 7,140 metric tons of ginger from 933 hectares of land in 2024, averaging 7.4 metric tons per hectare with some 5,010 ginger growers.
It is also a major source for key trading hubs in northern and southern Luzon and Metro Manila, facilitating the movement of 14,753 metric tons in 2024.
'This recognition is not just a title—it's a commitment to deliver support where it truly matters,' Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Sunday.
'Ginger is valued both for its culinary and medicinal uses, and with proper backing from the DA, it can significantly improve product value addition to uplift the incomes of smallholder farmers in Nueva Vizcaya and across Cagayan Valley,' he added.
Nueva Vizcaya covers 481,388 hectares of agricultural land that also produces rice, corn, onion, garlic, tomatoes, melon, and mango. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


GMA Network
11 hours ago
- GMA Network
DA releases P10M for pest containment efforts in Negros sugar farms
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday has released P10 million for pesticide procurement in support of pest containment efforts amid the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) infestation threatening sugar production on Negros Island. 'We have ongoing pesticide spraying operations. With the support of the SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) and our regional office here, I'm confident we can quickly contain the infestation,' Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said. The Agriculture chief said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DA to act swiftly to contain the infestation and prevent it from spreading across the island — the country's top sugar-producing region. Tiu Laurel ordered the Bureau of Plant Industry to trace the origin of planting materials suspected of carrying the pest from Luzon. 'This situation underscores the importance of following quarantine protocols to prevent similar outbreaks,' the DA chief said. Tiu Laurel and SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona inspected sugarcane fields in Bacolod City on Thursday as part of intensified efforts to combat RSSI. Azcona said SRA researchers have identified a parasite that can naturally control the RSSI population. 'But that solution will take time. For now, we must act immediately, so we are using chemical pesticides,' said the SRA chief. Moving forward, Tiu Laurel said the DA is eyeing to boost sugar production in the country through expanded irrigation, soil improvement using agricultural lime, and finding sources of higher-yielding planting materials. 'Increasing sugar production will allow us to significantly reduce, if not eliminate, the need for sugar imports,' the Agriculture chief said. According to SRA data, the Visayas region accounts for 71% of national sugar output, with Negros Island alone contributing 63% of that total. Sugar plantations in Panay, Cebu, and Leyte make up the remainder. — BAP, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
PSA: Rice inflation seen to average negative in 2025
At a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday, National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa reported a sharper year-on-year deflation or 'negative inflation' in rice at -12.8% in May 2025 from -10.9% in April 2025. The retail price of the Philippines' staple food rice is expected to continue to go down, settling at a negative inflation rate for the whole of 2025, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Thursday. At a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday, National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa reported a sharper year-on-year deflation or 'negative inflation' in rice at -12.8% in May 2025 from -10.9% in April 2025. For the January to May period, rice inflation clocked in at -7.7%, according to the PSA chief. Last month also marked the 11th consecutive month of decline in rice's inflation print and the fifth month in a row that the rate of the staple's cost had been contracting. The trend of easing inflation for rice seen since August 2024 was consistent with the PSA's expectation that it will begin easing towards the second half of 2024 due to base effects, particularly when it began its uptrend in August 2023, as well as the impact of lower rice import tariff which took effect early July last year. 'The expectation is that it will continue to go down, definitely there are base effects. It will continue to be negative [inflation] for at least until August… but definitely the average for the whole year would be negative,' Mapa said. To illustrate the contraction in rice inflation seen last month, Mapa bared the year-on-year national average prices of regular, well-milled, and special rice varieties during the period. In particular, the following are the average prices of rice at the national level in May 2025: Regular milled: P43.19 per kilo from P51.11 per kilo in May 2024 Well-milled: P49.45 per kilo from P56.06 per kilo Special: P59.80 per kilo from P64.41 per kilo year-on-year The PSA chief also cited the government's ongoing P20 per kilo rice initiative aimed at easing the inflationary burden of those in the vulnerable sectors such as 4Ps beneficiaries, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and single parents. 'The P20 rice is already coming in various outlets,' Mapa said. In a separate statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is 'expanding the reach of the P20 rice program and is studying a reduction in the suggested retail price (SRP) for imported rice—the national staple that dominates Filipino tables, especially among the poor.' The Department of Agriculture said that rice accounts for P9 of every P100 spent by the average Filipino. Among the bottom 30% of income households, the figure doubles. With the introduction of the P20 per kilo rice program in Bacolod City, the DA said the total number of outlets offering the subsidized grain grew to 87, exceeding the original target of 55 outlets by end-June. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DA to sustain the subsidized rice initiative through June 2028, to reach up to 60 million Filipinos. –NB, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
Romualdez eyes legislation to make P20-per-kilo rice sustainable
Speaker Martin Romualdez said Wednesday that he will sponsor at least six measures to ensure that the provision of the P20 per kilo rice will become permanent. Romualdez made the announcement after his meeting with Agriculture Secretary Francisco 'Kiko' Tiu Laurel Jr. and Agriculture Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Alvin John Balagbag, assuring support to the following priority measures that the Department of Agriculture (DA) deems essential to make the P20 per kilo permanent: amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) by restoring key regulatory powers to the National Food Authority (NFA) to stabilize prices and protect local production Livestock Development and Competitiveness Act Philippine Corn Industry Development Act Onion Research Center Act Amendments to Republic Act 7308 or the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992 and Amendments to the Local Government Code to strengthen agricultural extension services at the LGU level. 'These are not just bills — they are blueprints for lasting change. I will personally sponsor these measures to institutionalize President Marcos' vision of affordable rice for all and stronger support for our farmers,' Romualdez said. 'Legislation is the strongest tool we have to make this program permanent. Sisiguruhin natin na may P20 per kilo na bigas sa merkado para sa mga nangangailangan. We will build a system where affordable rice is not a seasonal miracle, but a daily reality,' Romualdez added. (We will ensure that P20 per kilo rice will be available for those in need.) Also present during the meeting include: House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Mark Enverga of Quezon, House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe of Zamboanga city, Deputy Speaker David 'Jay-jay' Suarez of Quezon, Camiguin Representative Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Pimentel, Deputy Speaker Antonio 'Tonypet' Albano of Isabela, House Secretary General Reginald 'Reggie' Velasco, and Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III. Romualdez said that the farmers cannot be asked to feed the nation when they are deprived of better seeds, tools, market access, and dignity.' 'Together, we will deliver affordable rice, a stronger agriculture sector, and a future where no Filipino is left behind. Ang P20 kada kilo ng bigas ay hindi lang pangarap. Sa tulong ng batas, determinasyon, at pagkakaisa, gagawin natin itong permanente at tuloy-tuloy,' he added. (The P20 per kilo of rice is not a dream. With the help of the law and our efforts, it will become permanent.) –NB, GMA Integrated News