Republic of the Philippines

BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE

College of Agriculture
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan 3010

Name: Date:
Course, Year, and Section: Course Code:

Activity # 2
PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ,HAND WRITTEN ONLY .

1.List down the Department of Agriculture Secretaries, their date of appointment and
their contribution. from the first Philippine Republic up to present.

1. Graciano Gonzaga (1899-1901) – During his tenure, Gonzaga focused on revitalizing

agriculture after the effects of the Philippine Revolution and the Spanish-American War.
His efforts aimed to rebuild the agricultural sector and restore productivity following
years of conflict.

2. Rafael Alunan (1948-1951) – Alunan implemented various agricultural reforms during his
tenure, including land distribution programs aimed at providing land to landless farmers.
He also promoted agricultural modernization initiatives to improve productivity and
livelihoods in rural areas.

3. Benito S. Vergara (1986-1987) – Vergara played a crucial role in the recovery and
development of the agricultural sector after the EDSA People Power Revolution. He
focused on addressing issues such as land reform, agricultural credit, and technology
transfer to improve farming practices and productivity.

4. Carlos G. Dominguez III (1987-1989) – Dominguez initiated several programs aimed at

improving agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable farming practices. He
introduced policies to support smallholder farmers, enhance irrigation systems, and
promote crop diversification.

5. Roberto Sebastian (2001-2002) – Sebastian introduced initiatives to boost agricultural

productivity and address issues such as rural poverty and food security. He focused on
increasing agricultural investments, promoting agribusiness development, and improving
access to markets for farmers.

6. Arthur Yap (2004-2010) – Yap focused on enhancing agricultural competitiveness,

promoting organic farming, and modernizing the agricultural sector through technology
and innovation. He implemented programs to improve post-harvest facilities, enhance
irrigation systems, and provide support to smallholder farmers.
 7. Proceso J. Alcala (2010-2016) – Alcala prioritized food self-sufficiency, implementing
programs to increase rice and corn production and improve the livelihood of farmers. He
promoted sustainable farming practices, expanded agricultural insurance coverage, and
strengthened market linkages for farmers.

8. Emmanuel Piñol (2016-2019) – Piñol emphasized agricultural modernization,

infrastructure development, and support for smallholder farmers. He focused on
improving access to credit and market information for farmers, enhancing agricultural
research and extension services, and promoting value-adding activities in the agriculture
sector.

9. William Dar (2019-present) – Dar has focused on improving agricultural productivity,

promoting agribusiness development, and implementing sustainable farming practices.
He has launched programs to increase farm mechanization, enhance the
competitiveness of agricultural products, and improve resilience to climate change in the
agricultural sector.

2. Define the acronyms below and identify their function based on the designated tasks
given by the Philippine constitution.

a. DA – Department of Agriculture: is the executive department of the Philippine government

responsible for the promotion of agricultural and fisheries development and growth.

8 Bureaus under the Department of Agriculture:

bCertainly! Here are the simplified definitions and functions of the bureaus under the
Department of Agriculture (DA):

b. BAR – Bureau of Agricultural Research: Conducts research to help farmers grow more
food and improve farming methods.

c. ATI – Agricultural Training Institute: Teaches farmers new skills and techniques to
improve their crops and livelihoods.

D. BPI – Bureau of Plant Industry: Makes sure plants are healthy, safe to eat, and good
for the environment.

e. BAI – Bureau of Animal Industry: Takes care of animals, making sure they are healthy
and safe for people to eat.

f. BFAR – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Protects fish and other aquatic
animals and helps fishermen catch them sustainably.

g. BAFS – Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Standards: Sets rules to make sure food
from farms and fisheries is good quality and safe to eat.

h. BSWM – Bureau of Soils and Water Management: Helps farmers take care of the soil
and water on their land so they can keep growing crops.
 i. BAFE – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Engineering: Builds and maintains
things like irrigation systems and fishing ports to help farmers and fishermen
do their jobs better.

Other attached agencies, corporations, ad councils to DA for policy and program coordination:

j. PhilFIDA – Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority: Supports the development

of the fiber industry, including crops like abaca and coconut, to boost production and
help farmers earn more.

k. NDA – National Dairy Authority: Promotes the dairy industry by helping farmers raise
dairy animals and produce milk, cheese, and other dairy products.

L. NFRDI – National Fisheries Research and Development Institute: Conducts research to

improve fishing methods, protect marine resources, and ensure sustainable fisheries
management.

M. NMIS – National Meat Inspection Service: Ensures that meat products sold in the
Philippines are safe to eat by inspecting slaughterhouses, meat processing plants, and
meat products.

n. NTA – National Tobacco Administration: Supports tobacco farmers by providing

assistance, regulating the industry, and promoting sustainable tobacco farming
practices.

o. PCC – Philippine Coconut Authority: Helps coconut farmers increase productivity,

diversify products, and protect coconut plantations from pests and diseases.

p. PCAF – Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation: Provides insurance to farmers to

protect them against losses due to natural disasters, pests, and diseases, helping them
recover and continue farming.

q. PHilMech – Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization:

Develops and promotes postharvest technologies and machinery to reduce food losses
and improve the quality of agricultural products.

r. PFDA – Philippine Fisheries Development Authority: Develops and manages fishery

projects and infrastructure to improve livelihoods in fishing communities and promote
sustainable fisheries.

S. PhilRice – Philippine Rice Research Institute: Conducts research to improve rice

varieties, farming practices, and technologies to increase rice production and ensure
food security.

T. SEAFDEC – Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center: Collaborates with

member countries to promote sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture
development, and marine research in Southeast Asia.

u. SRA – Sugar Regulatory Administration: Regulates the sugar industry, sets sugar
prices, and provides support to sugar farmers and millers to ensure a stable sugar
supply in the Philippines.
V. FPA – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority: Regulates the use of fertilizers and pesticides
to ensure their safety and effectiveness in agriculture while protecting human health and
the environment.

w. NFA – National Food Authority: Ensures food security by maintaining rice reserves,
stabilizing rice prices, and distributing affordable rice to consumers, especially during
emergencies.

x. PCA – Philippine Coconut Authority: Similar to “o. PCC” this agency also supports
coconut farmers, overseeing the industry’s development and protecting coconut
plantations.

y. NIA – National Irrigation Administration: Builds and maintains irrigation systems to

provide water for agriculture, helping farmers grow crops more efficiently and increasing
agricultural productivity.

z. PCIC – Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation: Provides insurance to farmers to

protect them against losses due to natural disasters, pests, and diseases, helping them
recover and continue farming.

3.Specialized discipline-oriented research center.

. IPB – Institute of Plant Breeding: Conducts research focused on improving plant
varieties through breeding techniques to develop crops with desirable traits such as
higher yield, disease resistance, and tolerance to environmental stresses.

b. NCPC – National Crop Protection Center: Engages in research on crop protection

methods, including the development of pesticides, biocontrol agents, and integrated pest
management strategies to mitigate the impact of pests and diseases on agricultural
crops.

c. NPGRL – National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory: Acts as a repository for the
conservation, characterization, and utilization of plant genetic resources to safeguard
biodiversity and ensure the availability of genetic materials for breeding programs and
research purposes.

4. Private seed companies

a. EAST WEST: A seed company known for its wide range of high-quality seeds for
various crops, including vegetables, grains, and specialty crops. It focuses on
providing farmers with reliable and productive seed varieties to help them achieve
better yields and profitability.

b. MONSANTO: A multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation that develops

genetically modified (GM) crop varieties, herbicides, and other agricultural
products. Monsanto is known for its innovative biotechnology solutions aimed at
improving crop yields, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing food
security.

c. PIONEER: A leading seed company offering a diverse portfolio of seeds, traits,

and agronomic solutions for farmers. Pioneer focuses on developing advanced
 seed technologies and providing tailored agronomic advice to help farmers
maximize productivity, profitability, and sustainability.

D. SYNGENTA: Another multinational agrochemical and seed company that provides a

comprehensive range of crop protection products, seeds, and agricultural services.
Syngenta aims to help farmers tackle the challenges of modern agriculture by offering
innovative solutions to enhance crop yields, quality, and resilience.

d. ALLIED BOTANICAL: A private seed company specializing in the production and

distribution of high-quality seeds for a variety of crops, including vegetables,
ornamentals, and field crops. Allied Botanical focuses on delivering superior seed
genetics and supporting farmers with reliable seed solutions to meet their diverse
needs and requirements.AL

5. Given the chance to create a policy or program for the DA, what policy or program are
you going to offer to further strengthen (if you are just going to improve an existing
policy or program) or change (if you are going to create a new one) the game in the
Philippine Agriculture? (Minimum of 200 words each)

Introducing a policy or law requiring that 40-60 percent of each municipality’s land stays for farming
could be a game-changer for Philippine agriculture. This rule aims to stop fast changes where farmland
gets turned into malls, factories, or homes. By setting aside a big chunk of land just for farming, we keep
farming alive, make sure we have enough food, and help farmers earn a living. Keeping farmland also
helps nature. Farms help soak up carbon from the air, which is good for fighting climate change. They
also stop soil from washing away, protect our water, and give animals a place to live.

To make this policy work, we need to keep an eye on how land is used, make sure people follow the
rules, and give rewards to those who keep their land for farming. This could mean giving tax breaks to
farmers who protect their land or making sure that towns plan where buildings go to save farmland.

Implementing this policy would involve clearly defining agricultural land and allocating 40-60 percent of
each municipality’s land for farming. Local governments would enforce zoning regulations to protect
agricultural areas from non-farming uses. Incentives like tax breaks for farmers and penalties for
violators would encourage compliance. Regular monitoring and reporting would track land use changes,
and sanctions would be imposed on non-compliant municipalities, such as withholding funding or legal
action. Public awareness campaigns would help gain support for the policy.