This study examined the level and speed of urbanization in the Philippines and its influence on agriculture. Over the last 20 years, the level of urbanization in the Philippines has stabilized, but the tempo has decreased, which implies a higher growth rate in the rural population than in the urban population. The influence of urbanization is seen in terms of the declining share of agriculture in the national economy and a minimal reduction in employment in the agricultural sector. Urbanization has resulted in decreases in the area and fragmentation of farm parcels as well as in the conversion of agricultural lands to urban use.
The process of urbanization resulted in substantial land conversion, which, in turn, led to a drastic decrease in crop production areas and changed the agricultural landscape of the Metropolitan Manila area. It also placed pressure on urban fringes, making land use conversion inevitable in cities. Findings point to the need for concomitant policies to preserve agricultural lands and sustain domestic food production, and promote urban agriculture to create and preserve the green and open spaces in the cities.