The Department of Agriculture has declared Nueva Vizcaya the official “Ginger Capital of the Philippines,” signaling a more focused government effort to channel resources toward boosting the production of this high-value crop in the Cagayan Valley region.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has repeatedly underscored the need to raise agricultural productivity—particularly for spices like ginger—as a cornerstone of his administration’s goal to revitalize rural economies focusing on high-value agriculture.
At the heart of the Marcos administration’s initiative is empowering local farmers by providing them with access to improved technologies, better infrastructure, and markets to unlock the full potential of crops that have long been underutilized.
“This recognition is not just a title—it’s a commitment to deliver support where it truly matters,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
“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.”
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Nueva Vizcaya led ginger production in 2024, harvesting approximately 7,140 metric tons from 933 hectares of land.
Home to around 5,010 ginger growers, the province is known for its openness to innovative farming practices and sustained efforts to boost yields, which last year averaged 7.4 metric tons per hectare.
Beyond production, Nueva Vizcaya also serves as a major source of ginger for key trading hubs in Northern and Southern Luzon and Metro Manila, facilitating the movement of some 14,753 metric tons in 2024.
An agricultural stronghold, Nueva Vizcaya spans 481,388 hectares and also produces rice, corn, onion, garlic, tomatoes, melon, and mango—cementing its role in ensuring food security and rural agri-enterprise development.
