Mandate
The Department is the principal agency of the Philippine government responsible for the promotion of agricultural development by providing the policy framework, public investments, and support services needed for domestic and export-oriented business enterprises.
Vision
A modernized smallholder agriculture and fisheries; a diversified rural economy that is dynamic, technologically advanced and internationally competitive. Its transformation is guided by the sound practices of resource sustainability, the principles of social justice, and a strong private sector participation.
Mission
To help and empower the farming and fishing communities and the private sector to produce enough, accessible and affordable food for every Filipino and a decent income for all.
Brief History
The roots of modern Philippine agriculture were established during the transition from Spanish colonial rule—which focused on export crops like tobacco, sugar, and abaca—to the first Philippine Republic. Following the 1898 declaration of independence, the Department of Agriculture and Manufacturing was officially created on June 23, 1898. Under subsequent American sovereignty in 1901, the focus shifted toward diversification, specifically prioritizing staples like rice. This era was defined by rapid institutional restructuring, most notably the Reorganization Act of 1932, which split the Bureau of Agriculture into the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Bureau of Animal Industry to better manage specialized production.
Following the devastation of the Pacific War, the department was reconstituted in 1945, eventually becoming the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR). The 1950s and 60s ushered in a period of rural development, marked by the establishment of the Bureau of Agricultural Extension in 1953 and the Philippines joining the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. A major turning point occurred in 1968 when the country became a rice exporter for the first time. This momentum continued into the 1970s with the Masagana 99 program, which revolutionized rice production. During this period, the agency expanded its reach significantly, establishing 12 regional offices to decentralize agricultural supervision.
The post-EDSA era brought a shift toward “agriculture as business,” triggered by EO 116 in 1987, which mandated the DA to provide policy frameworks for export-oriented enterprises. Significant legislative milestones like the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1998 sought to industrialize the sector. In the early 2000s, the department set ambitious targets, including Goal 1, which aimed to develop 2 million hectares of new agribusiness land and create 2 million jobs. By 2010, the focus evolved toward sustainability with the Organic Agriculture Act and the Agri-Pinoy strategic framework, which continues to guide the department’s mission of achieving food self-sufficiency through optimized resource management.
Organizational Structure
Directory
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Annual reports
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
citizen's charter
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.