THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Davao records show that Davao City has the largest agricultural land converted into industrial-commercial spaces in Davao Region in 2017.
PSA-Davao supervising statistical specialist Ma. Leah Magracia said Davao city accounted a total of 42.66 percent of agricultural land conversion equating to a total of 4,224.31 hectares.
Magracia added that data shows the total percentage of Davao region’s agricultural land conversion. Compostela Valley has 26.96 percent of their land converted followed by Davao del Norte with 11.75 percent, Davao Oriental with 9.07 percent, Davao del Sur with 7.89 percent, while Davao Occidental had the least agricultural land conversion with only 1.67 percent.
“This data is the compilation of research done by PSA on a local level which we call as the Barangay Agricultural Profiling Survey (BAPS),” Magracia said during the closing program of the celebration of the National Statistics Month last October 29, 2018.
Magracia underscored the importance of this data in showing the current status of the agricultural sector especially in Davao region.
“Lahat naman tayo kumakain kaya mahalaga na alam natin ang kalagayan ng sector ng ating agriculture (We all eat that’s why it is important to know the situation of our agriculture),” Magracia said.
Magracia added the current situation of the land conversion of agricultural spaces must also help inform Dabawenyos on where the agricultural sector is heading to amidst urban development.
In the data shown by PSA, 53 percent of the agricultural land being converted turns into industrial and commercial spaces. Around 34 percent of this turns into residential areas like subdivisions and condominiums. Only 13 percent of the land is converted to institutions like the academe and memorial parks.