THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The Department of Agriculture is the principal agency of the Philippine government

responsible for the promotion of agricultural development growth. In pursuit of this, it
provides the policy framework, helps direct public investments, and in partnership with
local government units (LGUs) provides the support services necessary to make
agriculture and agri-based enterprises profitable and to help spread the benefits of
development to the poor, particularly those in rural areas.  

Our Mission,Vision and Commitment

The Department of Agriculture designated as the lead agency to boost farmers' income
and reduce poverty incidence in the rural sector through the Medium Term Philippine
Development Plan (MTPDP). With its vision, "Prosperous rural communities, built on
profitable farms that provide surplus for agro-industry and food security".

With emphasis on agribusiness, the agriculture department will undertake two goals
under the new economic blueprint of the Arroyo Administration.

GOAL 1: "Develop at least two million hectares of new land for agribusiness in order to
contribute 2 million jobs targeted in 2010"

 Idle or marginal agricultural lands;

 Offshore and inland bodies of water for aquaculture
 New and existing agricultural areas which will be developed for intercropping
with high value crops and raising of livestock, poultry and fish

GOAL 2: "Reduce costs of wage goods through productivity enhancement, more efficient
logistics, and improved retailing linkages"

 Production support to enhance farm and fishery productivity

 Logistical support to raise distribution efficiency
 Governance and institutional support to provide a policy and regulatory
environment conducive to efficient production and distribution of agribusiness
commodities.

The major task of the MTPDP is to fight poverty by building prosperity for the greatest
number of the Filipino people. To ensure better quality of life, the country must open up
economic opportunities, maintain socio-political stability, and promote good stewardship
as well as focus on strategic measures and activities, aimed to spur economic growth and
create jobs
From roots to fruits: The Agriculture Department history

At the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, which

gave birth to the First Philippine Republic under the stewardship of
President Emilio Aguinaldo, several offices and agencies were established.
The then Department of Agriculture and Manufacturing was created
through a Presidential Proclamation on June 23, 1898.

Jose Alejandrino was the first director of the Department from 1898-1899. Not
long after, he was replaced by Graciano Gonzaga, and Leon Ma. Guerrero who
took turns as head of the Department for the most part of 1899.

By 1901, a policy of diversification was adopted under the American Sovereignty,

which gave emphasis to the development of other agricultural products, like rice and
other basic commodities, and also fishing, forestry and mining. The Insular Bureau
of Agriculture was then created under the Department of Interior through Act 271.

Under the United States colonization, Americans were appointed as chiefs of

Agriculture. In 1902, Frank Lamson-Scribner was appointed, followed by W. C.
Welborn who took over in 1904. By 1907, Welborn resigned due to bad health, and
was replaced by Dr. George E. Nesom.

It was during Nesom's administration that the "Philippine Agricultural Review", which
served as a means for reaching people throughout the country, was published.

In 1910, by virtue of Act 1407, the Bureau of Agriculture was transferred to the
executive control of the Department of Public Instruction and its administration was
given to Frederick Taylor (1911-1914). Taylor was replaced by Harry Edwards
(1914-1916) who launched the "Food Production Campaign" following the outbreak
of the European War. The campaign aimed to develop more general interest in the
cultivation of food crops.

Edwards was succeeded by his Assistant Director, Adriano

Hernandez, who was a practicing farmer and was considered as
one of the most progressive Filipinos in government service.

Eventually, the Bureau of Agriculture was abolished by the

enactment of Act No. 2666 on November 18, 1916, which was
implemented on January 1, 1917.

By virtue of this Act entitled "An Act to Re-organize the Executive

Department of the Government of the Philippine Islands" the
Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources took over the
functions and activities of the Department of Interior, namely:
direct executive control, direction, and supervision of the Bureau of
Agriculture, Bureau of Forestry, Bureau of Lands, Bureau of
Science, and the Weather Bureau and all matters concerning
hunting, fisheries, sponges and other sea products and such others
as may be hereafter assigned to it by law.

Until 1927, covering the administrations of Secretaries Galicano

Apacible (1917-1921), Rafael Corpuz (1921-1923), and
Silvestre Apostol (1923-1928) the DANR held the same functions
and activities embodied in the Reorganization Act.

During the administration of Secretary Rafael Alunan, Sr. (1928-

1932), significant changes took place both in the name and
composition of the DANR. By virtue of another Reorganization Act in
1932, the DANR became the Department of Agriculture and
Commerce. The Bureau of Commerce, which used to be under the
Depart ment of Commerce and Communication, was placed under
the reorganized Department. The Bureau of Agriculture was split
into the Bureau of Plant Industry and Bureau of Animal Industry.

The following year, by virtue of the same Reorganization Act,

Secretary Vicente Singson Encarnacion (1933-34) organized
the offices of Accounts and Property, Statistics and Publication, Fish
and Game Administration, Mineral Resources, Fiber Inspection
Service, Industrial Engineering, Home Economics and Scientific
Library.

 
When Secretary Eulogio Rodriguez (1934-38) took over, the
Division of Mineral Resources, Division of Industrial Engineering,
and Scientific Library Division were placed under the Bureau of
Science. It was also during Rodriguez's administration that the
Division of Mineral Resources was converted into the Bureau of
Mines by virtue of Commonwealth Act 136.

In 1938 until the outbreak of the Pacific War in 1941, significant

changes took place. Secretary Benigno S. Aquino, Sr. split the
Fish and Game Administration. The Game Administration was
transferred to the Bureau of Forestry, while functions relating to
fishery were transferred to the Division of Fisheries under the Office
of the Secretary. The Division of Soil Survey was created under
Commonwealth Act 418 under the office of the Secretary to
undertake soil and agronomical survey of the Philippines.

Upon the outbreak of the last war, President Manuel L. Quezon re-
appointed Rafael Alunan, Sr. as Secretary of Agriculture and
Commerce up to 1942. The Department of Agriculture and
Commerce was reconstituted on July 1, 1945 upon the resumption
of the Commonwealth Government. President Sergio Osmeña
reappointed Vicente Singson Encarnacion as Secretary.

Secretary Mariano Garchitorena (1946-1948) was appointed by

President Manuel Roxas to head the Department. In 1947, the
Department of Agriculture and Commerce was renamed
Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources by virtue of a
Reorganization Act. The Department of Commerce and Industry
was formed as a result of which the Bureau of Commerce, Bureau
of Patents and Weather Bureau were removed from the DANR.

In September 1948, President Elpidio Quirino appointed

Department Secretary Placido L. Mapa. Two years later, Vice
President Fernando Lopez was appointed Department Secretary.
It was during the administration of Secretary Lopez in 1953 that
the Bureau of Agricultural Extension was established. His term also
started an era of rural development with the organization of the 4-
H Club and Rural Improvement Club nationwide.
 

Vice President Lopez had to relinquish his post as Agriculture

Secretary when he ran for senator. President Quirino then
reappointed Secretary Placido L. Mapa. The Rice Economic Board
was set up, making the rice industry the first commodity sector to
have an integrated national planning. Intensive rehabilitation of the
rice, corn, tobacco, fiber, sugar, livestock, fishery, and mining
industries began.

With the election of President Ramon Magsaysay, Salvador

Araneta (1953-55) became the Secretary. During Araneta's
tenure, the Agricultural Tenancy Commission, precursor of the
Department of Agrarian Reform, was organized in 1954. The
Philippine Tobacco Administration, forerunner of the National
Tobacco Administration, and Philippine Coconut Administration
(now, Philippine Coconut Authority) were created.

During the latter part of the Magsaysay term, with Secretary Juan
G. Rodriguez as Department head, the Philippines became a
member of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
The National Rice and Corn Production Program was launched. This
was coupled with the creation of the Rice and Corn Coordinating
Council, forerunner of the National Food and Agriculture Council
(NFAC) which is now the National Agricultural and Fishery Council
(NAFC). In September 14, 1959, the DANR moved to its permanent
building in Diliman, Rizal (now Quezon City) from Agrifina Circle in
Manila.

Secretary Rodriguez was succeeded by Secretary Cesar Fortich.

It was during his term when the Abaca Development Board was
created on January 23, 1961. A program of stocking fingerlings in
inland waters started, Secretary Jose Locsin succeeded Secretary
Fortich from September to December 1961. Locsin also was
concurrently Chairman of the National Economic Council.

In 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal appointed Benjamin M.

Gozon as DANR head. On June 22, 1963, the Bureau of Agricultural
Economics was created. The National Rice and Corn Administration
forerunner of the then National Grains Authority (NGA), now known
as National Food Authority (NFA), was created. When Secretary
Gozon ran for governor of Rizal, President Macapagal appointed
RCA Administrator Jose Y. Feliciano as concurrent Secretary of
Agriculture. The DANR launched the Agricultural Marketing News
Service providing farmers and consumers regular prices of selected
farm commodities.

With the election of President Ferdinand E.Marcos Vice-Pres.

Lopez for the second time, became the Secretary of Agriculture
and Natural Resources, and also the rice czar of the new
administration. For the first time, the Philippines became a rice-
exporter in 1968.

Under Martial Law, by virtue of P.D. 461, the DANR was

reorganized on May 1974 into two departments. namely: the
Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural
Resources. On June 22, 1978, by virtue of P.D. 1397, all
departments were changed to ministries. At the helm of the
Ministry of Agriculture was Minister Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. (1974-
1984) who launched the innovative Masagana 99 rice production
program which revolutionized the rice industry and made the
Philippines a rice-exporter and self-sufficient in white corn. By
virtue of PD 461, in June 1978, MA established 12 regional offices
each headed by a Regional Director.

In May 1980, under EO 595, the Bureau of Cooperatives

Development under the Ministry of Local Government and
Community Development was transferred to the Ministry of
Agriculture. On June 30, 1984, under EO 967, the Ministry of
Agriculture was renamed Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources was transferred from the
Ministry of Natural Resources, converted into a staff bureau and
placed under the supervision and control of MAF.

The stewardship of MAF was given to Assemblyman Salvador H.

Escudero III, former Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry
and MAF Deputy Minister, after the May 1984 elections. The
Intensive Rice Production Program (IRPP) and an import-
substitution program were launched. The animal dispersal program
was also intensified especially the Bakahang Barangay and
Pagbababuyan.

On February 28, 1986 as a result of the EDSA People Power

Revolution, the reins of power and authority were transferred from
Minister Escudero to Ramon V. Mitra, who was appointed by
President Corazon C. Aquino immediately upon her assumption into
office. Guided by the principle that agriculture is business, the DA
implemented policy and institutional reforms that freed the
agriculture markets, enabling farmers to enjoy higher farmgate
prices. These reforms included the dismantling of agricultural
monopolies and elimination of agricultural taxes. Reforms in
agricultural credit system, such as the phasing-out of direct lending
scheme, were initiated.

MAF Deputy Minister Carlos G. Dominguez was appointed

minister by President Aquino replacing Secretary Mitra who ran for
a congressional seat in the May 11, 1987 polls.

The reorganization of the Department of Agriculture was contained

in EO 116 signed by President Aquino on January 30, 1987. The EO
mandated the DA to promote agricultural development by providing
the policy framework, public investments and support services
needed for domestic and export-oriented business enterprises.

During the term of Sec. Dominguez, reforms were introduced in the

rural credit system to expand the credit facilities of participating
lending financial institutions under a guarantee program. The
Comprehensive Agricultural Loan Fund (CALF) was established to
improve the management of a dwindling fund base composed of
sub-funds from separate agricultural loan programs. The Livelihood
Enhancement for Agricultural Development (LEAD) Program was
launched in 1988 to speed up farmers' organizations access to
financing, management expertise, and marketing. Agriculture and
Fishery Councils (AFCs) were set up at the sectoral, regional,
provincial and municipal levels, involving farmers., fishers, traders,
rural bankers, and agribusiness entrepreneurs to provide inputs on
major programs and policy decisions and help plan and monitor DA
projects.
 

On January 3, 1990, President Aquino appointed Senen C. Bacani

as Secretary. During this period, despite the natural calamities
which struck the country, the DA implemented the Rice Action
Program (RAP) which led the country to export in 1992.
Consequently, the Corn Production Enhancement Program (CPEP)
resulted in self sufficiency in corn, another major staple crop. The
Peasant's Forum, a group of small farmers and fishermen was
created. The major thrust of the Forum was its involvement in the
major policy and decision-making, planning, and monitoring of DA
projects in the region.

With the transition of power in the presidency in 1992 from

president Corazon C. Aquino to President Fidel V. Ramos, the
Philippine agricultural economy took a new development thrust. The
Chief Executive appointed as DA Secretary, Roberto S. Sebastian.
Under his stewardship, he introduced the key production approach
(KPA) which is based on the principle of planting right crop, at the
right place and time. This became the basis in the formulation of
the Medium Term Agricultural Development Plan. It consisted of the
four banner programs: Grain Production Enhancement Program
(GPEP); Key Commercial Crops Development Program (KCCDP);
Medium Term Livestock Development Program (MTLDP), and
Medium Term Fisheries Management and Development Program
(MTFMDP). The MTADP laid down the foundation for the ascension
of the Philippine agriculture to meet the challenge of competing
globally.

After the term of Secretary Sebastian, Dr. Salvador H. Escudero

III was appointed for another term as Secretary of Agriculture.
Secretary Escudero focused his attention on addressing the food
security concern with utmost priority. He launched the Gintong Ani
Programs to ensure food security and help organize subsistence
farmers into functional groups or cooperatives and transform them
into viable producers and entrepreneurs ready for the global
market.

With the election of President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Dr. William

D. Dar was designated as Acting Secretary of Agriculture on June
30, 1998. He introduced his administration's Ten-Point Agenda in
Agriculture and Fisheries under the Agrikulturang Makamasa
Program. His priorities included the revitalization of productivity
programs, quick response to calamity/disaster situations, irrigation
and related infrastructure, research and development, extension
and training, and rural finance. Dr. Dar also spearheaded programs
focused on rural infrastructures such as farm to market roads and
emphasized the need for budget increases for research and
development. It was during Dar's term that the agriculture
department was able to come up with policies on environment
protection, food security and poverty reduction.

After a year of the Estrada Administration, former Senate President

Edgardo J. Angara was appointed as Secretary of Agriculture
(March 25, 1999). As the principal author of R.A. No. 8435
otherwise known as the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act
(AFMA) of 1998, he was given the rare opportunity to put into
action the visions of AFMA of transforming the agriculture landscape
as a means of achieving food security and the nation's catapult
towards industrialization.

Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban, shortest reigning DA chief

who took the agri seat on January 8, 2001.

Secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor, appointed on February 12,

2001 and led the DA in the implementation of AFMA. The
Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Countrywide Assistance for Rural
Employment and Services (GMA-CARES) was implemented.

Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr., took the helm of the Department

on December 2002 and spearheaded the launching of the RORO
program. The hybridization programs of the Department were
intensified and interventions were focused on the Mindanao regions
in the effort to transform it as the country's premier food basket.

On 23 August 2004, Secretary Arthur C. Yap was appointed as

the Department's Secretary. Under his leadership he continued to
uphold its vision of a modernized smallholder agriculture and
fisheries, a diversified rural economy that is dynamic,
technologically advance and internationally competitive. Under
Yap's term, the DA's twin goals under the Medium Term Philippine
Development Plan were unveiled; Goal 1 aims to develop two
million hectares of new lands for agribusiness to contribute two
million to the 10 million jobs targeted by 2010 while Goal 2 seeks
to make food plentiful while keeping the price of "wage goods" at
low prices.

With Secretary Yap's resignation, Secretary Domingo F.

Panganiban was appointed on 15 July 2005. During Panganiban's
2nd term in DA, a total of 203,000 hectares of idle lands and
313,000 jobs were developed under Goal 1 while ten Huwarang
Palengke (outstanding markets) were identified under Goal 2. Also,
food lanes were designated for easier, faster and kotong-free
transport of agricultural products from the provinces.

Re-appointed on October 23, 2006, Secretary Yap has

aggressively and consistently implemented various projects and
policies towards the attainment of food security and self-sufficiency.
Under FIELDS, the government's centerpiece program on
agriculture, unveiled during the 2008 Food Summit, Yap has set
achievement records for the Philippine agri and aqua sectors under
the program's six components namely: Fertilizer, Irrigation;
Education and Extension; Loans and Credits, Dryers and other
postharvest facilities; and Seeds.

Profile of Philippine Agriculture

Background
BACKGROUND Climate
Land Resources
The Philippines, one of the largest island-groups in the Farm
world with 7,100 islands and islets, is strategically located Systems/Structur
within the area of nations that sweeps southeast from e
Mainland Asia across the equator to Australia. Agri in the
Economy 

Its boundaries are formed by three large bodies of water: on the west and
north by the South China Sea; on the east by the Pacific Ocean; and on
the south by the Celebes Sea and coastal waters of Borneo.
The total land area of the Philippines is 300 thousand square kilometers or
30 million hectares. It constitutes two percent of the total land area of the
world and ranks 57th among the 146 countries of the world in terms of
physical size.

The Philippines, advocates the archipelago doctrine, as such it gains

exclusive to all resources living or non-living in and at the bottom of an
area of about 276,000 square nautical miles.

1. The Philippines is divided into three major island groups:

2. Luzon, with an area of 141 thousand square kilometers;
3. Mindanao, with an area of 102 thousand square kilometers;
and

4. Visayas, with an area of 57 thousand square kilometers. 

CLIMATE
Climate Map of the Philippines

Based on the seasonal rainfall distribution, the climate of the Philippines is

classified as follows;  

Type I: Two pronounced seasons with maximum rain period from June
to September and a dry season which lasts from three to six
or seven months.

Type II: No dry season with a very pronounced maximum rain period
from December to February.

Type III: No pronounced maximum rain period with a short dry season
lasting only from one to three months.

 Type IV: Rainfall more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. 

The tropical cyclone season in the country is from June to December, with
the months from July to September having the most frequent occurrence
of more than 3 cyclones each month.

Annual relative humidity ranges from 75 to 86 percent and annual mean

temperature is between 19.20 and 28.20 C while annual rainfall ranges
from 914 to 4,358 millimeters. 

LAND RESOURCES

Land Area

The Philippines is an agricultural country with a land area of 30 million

hectares, 47% of which is agricultural land. In the Philippines, prime
agricultural lands are located around the main urban and high population
density areas.

Land resources in the country are generally classified into forest lands and
alienable and disposable lands. A total of 15.8 million hectares were
classified into forest lands, and 14.2 million hectares are alienable and
disposable lands. Out of the 14.2 million hectares alienable and disposable
lands, 93% or 13 million hectares are classified as agricultural lands.

Land Distribution

The Total area devoted to agricultural crops is 13 million hectares. This is

distributed among food grains, food crops and non-food crops. Food grains
occupied 31% (4.01 million hectares), food crops utilized 52% (8.33
million hectares) while 17% (2.2 million hectares) were used for non-food
crops.

For food grains, the average area utilized by corn was 3.34 million while
rice occupied 3.31 million hectares.

Of the total area under food crops, coconut accounted for the biggest
average harvest area of 4.25 million hectares. Sugarcane with 673
thousand hectares; Industrial crops with 591 thousand hectares; 148
thousand hectares for fruits; 270 thousand hectares for vegetables and
rootcrops; 404 thousand hectares for pasture and 133 hectares for
cutflower.

According to land capability, 78.31% of the alienable and disposable land

are prime agricultural areas, 6.1 million hectares are highly suitable for
cultivation. 

FARM SYSTEM/STRUCTURE

Philippine agriculture is characterized by a mixture of small, medium and

large farms.

Majority of the farms in the country are all small farms averaging about 2
hectares. These are simple farms which are owned and managed by single
families ranging from subsistence to commercial production.

Farming is generally undertaken on small farms. Two-thirds of all farms in

1988 were no larger than three hectares. Eighty-five percent of all farms
were no more than five hectares. Over a period of ten years ending in
1996, the proportion of small farms had been expanding. The Philippine
Agrarian Reform Council Secretariat reported that the government had
acquired and distributed about 4.1 million hectares of agricultural lands to
agrarian reform beneficiaries. Under this Program implementing the
comprehensive agrarian reform law, a farm household cannot own a farm
larger than five hectares. A typical farming system consists of a major
crops, with rice, corn and coconut as common base crops, and a few heads
 of livestock and poultry.

Rice, corn, coconut and many crops are principally produced by small
farms. Prior to CARP, there were large plantations in rubber, coffee, oil
palm, cacao, banana, pineapple, etc. Contract growing schemes operate in
corn seeds, banana, tomato, cucumber, oil palm, asparagus and broiler
chicken. 

AGRICULTURE IN THE ECONOMY

Philippine agriculture plays a vital role in the economy. This attaches the
high priority of transforming agriculture into a modern, dynamic and
competitive sector. A sustained expansion of the national economy
requires sustained growth in the agricultural sector.

Agriculture including forestry and fishery, plays a dominant role in the

Philippine economy. The country's population is predominantly rural (70
percent of the total) and two-thirds of this population depends on farming
for their livelihood. In terms of employment, about one-half of the labor
force is engaged in agricultural activities.

Primarily, Philippine agriculture consisted of rice, corn, coconut, sugar,

banana, livestock, poultry, other crops and fishery production activities.

The sector's contribution to the economy has been substantial 23% of

gross domestic product in 1995. It registered a growth rate of 3.2%. The
growth was mainly due to the expansion of the poultry, livestock, and
palay subsectors. 

ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary
 JESUS EMMANUEL M. PARAS   BELINDA A. GONZALES
Undersecretary Undersecretary
  Field Operations and Administration & Finance
Fisheries, Livestock &
Regulation
SEGFREDO R. SERRANO   BERNADETTE ROMULO-
Undersecretary PUYAT
  Policy, Planning, Research and Undersecretary
Regulation Special Concerns
Atty. BERNIE G. FONDEVILLA
  Undersecretary and Chief of Staff
       
 
       
EDUARDO C. NOLASCO SALVADOR S.M. SALACUP
  Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
Administration and Finance Regional Operations
       
  JOSYLINE V. CHIO-JAVELOSA   Dir. DENNIS B. ARAULLO
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
Agricultural Attache National Program Coordinator
for GMA Corn
       
CATHERINE MAE C. SANTOS CLAYTON A. OLALIA
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary
  Policy and Planning/detailed at
  OIC, Director, Administrative
NAPC Service
       
DR. PRECELES H. MANZO BRIAN S. BALINGIT
  OIC,Assistant Secretary   OIC, Assistant Secretary
Policy and Planning

Organizational Chart