Socioeconomic profiling of rural households in Agusan del Norte: A multi-municipality comparative study

Abstract

Rural households play a vital role in agricultural production, food security, and local economic development in the Philippines. However, socioeconomic conditions differ substantially among municipalities, highlighting the need for localized evidence to support effective rural development planning. This study comparatively assessed the socioeconomic characteristics of rural households across six municipalities in Agusan del Norte-Carmen, Las Nieves, Magallanes, Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR), Tubay, and Jabonga. A descriptive-comparative cross-sectional research design was employed using municipal household profiling data. Descriptive statistical methods were applied to examine demographic characteristics, livelihood sources, household income, farm ownership, farm size, agricultural land types, crop distribution, and selected indicators of social inclusion. The findings showed that female respondents constituted the majority of the surveyed population, while married individuals represented the predominant marital status across all municipalities. Farming remained the principal livelihood, although fishing, wage labor, and other non-farm activities also contributed to household income. Household income was largely concentrated within the lower income categories, reflecting the continued importance of smallholder agriculture and diversified livelihood strategies. Privately owned farms and small landholdings predominated, whereas agricultural land use and crop distribution varied considerably among municipalities. Las Nieves consistently recorded the highest levels of farming activity, irrigated agricultural land, and social protection beneficiaries, while rice production was concentrated in Las Nieves and coconut and banana cultivation were more prominent in Carmen. Overall, the study demonstrates substantial municipality-level variation in socioeconomic characteristics and agricultural resources, emphasizing the need for locally tailored strategies that strengthen agricultural productivity, promote livelihood diversification, and support inclusive and sustainable rural development in Agusan del Norte.