A country of 7,107 islands spread along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is considered a climate hotspot owing to its geographic location and archipelagic formation. Mountainous with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands, an average of 20 to 25 typhoons hit the country every year, bringing destructive floods and landslides. Its low-lying coastal areas are also predicted to be affected by the rising sea-water level.

Agriculture remains a major economic activity in the country, providing 37% of the total jobs available. The agricultural sector, which includes fishery and forestry, however, accounts for only 20% of the economy’s aggregate domestic output (GDP).

The map below shows the upland areas in the Philippines.

Rice is grown extensively throughout the archipelago and is a staple in most Filipinos’ diet, accounting for about 35% of per capita total calorie intake. For households at the lower income levels, rice consumption accounts for as much as 60% to 65% of the total calorie intake. 

The Philippines is among the top ten rice-producing countries (eighth place) but is also a top importer. Increases in rice production during the 1970s largely because of the adoption of improved rice varieties and improvement in the country’s irrigation system were slowly affected by budgetary and foreign debt problems, a rapidly ballooning population, rampant land conversion, and a lack of government support.