Misamis Oriental has boosted its agriculture budget by 64.5 percent for 2025, increasing the allocation from PHP170 million to PHP480 million.

Provincial Board Member Rey Buhisan announced the increase during the opening of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) on Friday.

“In the province of Misamis Oriental, we have 14 percent (increase) of our whole budget (allocated to agriculture programs),” Buhisan said.

He emphasized the need for a behavioral shift in the province’s economy to enhance the efficiency of government agricultural programs.

Buhisan represented the province at the “Techno Gabay Program sa Coconut and Masaganang Cocobuhayan Expo 2024,” a national event focused on modern coconut farming practices. The ATI is leading the program’s implementation.

ATI Director IV Remelyn Recoter highlighted that the National Coconut Farmers Registry System lists 2.8 million coconut farmers in the country, with 25 million consumers benefiting from coconut value chain products.

Recoter said Misamis Oriental has prioritized coconut industry development, investing in processing plants and machinery over the years. (PNA)