Brief History of WORLD AGRICULTURE AND PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE

Agriculture, also known as farming, is the production of food, fiber, animal feed, and other goods by
means of growing and harvesting plants and animals. Agriculture is practiced throughout the world.
Many agricultural products are used every day, from the clothes we put on in the morning to the sheets
we sleep under at night. When you think of agriculture, think of the five F's: food, fabric, forestry,
farming, and flowers.

The history of agriculture begins in the Fertile Crescent. This area of Western Asia comprises the regions
of Mesopotamia and Levant while being confined by the Syrian Desert to the south and the Anatolian
Plateau to the north. In the early 1900s, University of Chicago archaeologist James Henry Breasted
coined the term "Fertile Crescent" to describe this location's role as the birthplace of agriculture. It has
often been called the "Cradle of Civilization" as well, since both the wheel and writing first appeared
there. Modern Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories all include
some land within the Fertile Crescent.

Humans invented agriculture between 7,000 and 10,000 years ago, during the Neolithic era, or the New
Stone Age. There were eight Neolithic crops: emmer wheat, einkorn wheat, peas, lentils, bitter vetch,
hulled barley, chickpeas, and flax. The Neolithic era ended with the development of metal tools.

Evidence suggests that irrigation first appeared in Egypt and Mesopotamia in the fourth millennium B.C.
Floods caused by the yearly inundation of the Nile would have had disastrous effects for ancient
farmers, washing away dikes and swamping fields. Conversely, when the waters were low, the land
dried up, killing crops. The oldest method of irrigation made use of man-made underground streams,
called qanats, and is still being used in parts of the Middle East. Various groups of people began digging
and repairing older, more primitive canal networks to help regulate the flow of rivers, such as the Nile
River in Egypt. The canal networks eventually developed into sophisticated irrigation systems.

During the Bronze Age and the eras that followed, civilizations all over the world gradually invented or
acquired advanced metalworking techniques, creating ever-stronger farming implements. Humans
continued domesticating animals and plants to serve as food sources or sources of other useful
products. During the Middle Ages, European farmers began using complex irrigation systems such as
dams, reservoirs, and water-raising machines. They also developed a three-field system of crop rotation
and the moldboard plow. These inventions greatly increased the efficiency of agriculture.

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Britain experienced a dramatic increase in agricultural
productivity known as the British Agricultural Revolution. This "revolution" consisted of a variety of
improvements to agricultural methods which more or less took place simultaneously. Farmers
developed new methods of crop rotation, began cultivating land that had been marshy or forested, and
planted new crops such as the turnip.

The technology of agriculture has continued to evolve over the years. Plows and other farming
implements improved, and the mechanical combine harvester—a machine that harvests grain—was
invented in the 1830s. In the early 1900s, the horse-drawn plow was a catalyst for introducing more
machinery on the farm. The first tractors were steam-powered engines designed to haul agricultural
equipment and were too expensive for most farmers. The gasoline-powered tractor was invented in
1892.

The last century has seen a host of changes in the way farming is carried out and in the way farm
produce shows up on our tables. In 1938, a trucking executive complained during a round of golf about
how the summer heat was spoiling much of the food shipped by his company. His companion, Joseph
Numero, jokingly suggested refrigerating the trailers. The idea stuck, and Numero went on to start a
refrigerated transport company with the help of inventor Frederick Jones.

Meanwhile, the development of hybrid seed, and particularly hybrid corn, revolutionized agriculture.
Hybrids improve the results of planting, and often produce plants and fruits that are hardier and more
uniform. Hybrid seeds contributed to the increased agricultural output of the second half of the 20th
century.

Despite these great improvements, other changes arrived with controversy. During the past 10 years, a
huge controversy has raged over the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers on farms as well as
genetically modified organisms. Growing awareness of how chemicals impact human health and the
environment has led to calls for increased government regulation of the agricultural industry.

The history of agriculture has played a huge role in human civilization. A majority of the human
population once worked in agriculture and even today few, if any, humans could survive without it.
Traces of Modern Philippine agriculture became most visible to the outside World at the height of the
Spanish regime when industries were encouraged and develop and supplied the major needs of the
colonizer Spain and the other European customers for tobacco, sugar and abaca.

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.

By 1901, a policy of diversification was adopted under 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.

Eventually, the Bureau of Agriculture grew rapidly until it 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 and interior, namely: Direct Executive, control, direction, and supervision of
the bureau of Agriculture, Bureau of Forestry, Bureau of Lands, Bureau of Science, and Weather Bureau
and all matters concerning hunting, fisheries, sponge and other sea products and such others as may be
here after 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) at DANR held the same function and activities embodies
and 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 Department 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
(1933-1934) organized the offices of Accounts and Property statistics and publication, Fish and game
Administrator, Mineral Resources, Fiber Inspection services, Industrial Engineering, Home Economics
and Scientific Library.

When Secretary Eulogio Rodriguez (1934-1938) 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 Rodriguez's administration that the division of mineral Resources was converted into the Bureau of
mines by virtue of common wealth 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 function 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 agronomic 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
Osmena reappointed Vicente Singson Encarnacion as Secretary.

Secretary Mariano Garchitorina (1946-1948) was appointed by President Manuel Roxas to head the
Department. In 1947, the Department of Agriculture and Commerce was renamed Department of
Agriculrture and Natural Resources. The Bureau of Commerce, Bureau of Patients 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
tern 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 integrated national planning. Intensive
rehabilitation of the rice, corn, tobaccos, fiber, sugar, livestock, fishery and mining industries began.

With the election of President Ramon Magsaysay, Salvador Araneta (1953-1955) became the secretary.
During the Araneta's tenure, the Agricultural Tenancy Commission, precursor of the Department of
Agrarian Reform, was organized in 1954. The Philippine Tobaccos Administration, forerunner of the
National Tobacco Administration, and Philippine Coconut Administration (now, Philippine Coconut
Authority) were created.

During the latter for Magsaysay term, with Secretary Juan G. Rodriguez as department heads, the
Philippines became a member of a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The national rice,
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).

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 water
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 Economic was created. The national rice and corn administration forerunner
of the then National Grains Authority (NFA) was created. When Secretary Gozon ran for Governor of
Rizal, President Macapagal appointed RCA Administrator Jose Y. Feliciano a concurrent Secretary of
Agriculture. The DANR launched the agricultural marketing new services providing farmers and
consumer regular prices of selected farm commodities.

With the election of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Vice President Lopez for the second time became
the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and also the racezar of the new administration. For
the first time of the Philippines became a rice exporter in 1968.

Under Martial law, by virtue of PD 461, The DANR was recognized in 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 Philippine 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 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 the result of the EDSA People Power Revolution, the reigns 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 feed the Agriculture Market,
enabling farmers to enjoy higher taxes. Reforming agricultural credit system, such as facing 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 Secretary Dominguez, reform 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 Farmer's
organizations access to financing, management expertise, and marketing. Agriculture and Fishery
Councils (AFCs) were set up at the sectorial, 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 monitory 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 forum, an
aggroupment 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 and 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: Grains Production Enhancement Program (GPEP); Key
Commercial Crops Development Programs (KCCDP); Medium Term Livestock Development Program
(MTLDP); and Medium Term Fisheries Management and Development Program (MTFMDP). The MTDP
laid down the foundation of 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 outmost priority. He launched the Gintong Ani Programs to ensure food Security and help
organize subsistence farmers into functional group or cooperative and transform them into viable
producers and entrepreneurs ready for the global market.

With the election of President 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 and Agriculture and
Fisheries. Among other his priorities include the revitalization of productivity programs, quick response
to calamity/disaster situations, irrigation and related infrastructure, research and development,
extension and training, and rural finance.
After a year of Estrada administration, former senate President Edgardo J. Angara was appointed as
secretary of Agriculture. As the principal author of R.A. 8435 otherwise known as Agriculture and
Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1998, he was given the rare opportunity to put into action the
vision of AFMA of transforming the agriculture landscape as a means of achieving food security and the
nation catapult towards industrialization.

When President Estrada appointed Sec. Angara as Executive Secretary, DA Usec. Domingo Panganiban
took the helm of DA. This was cut short, however, with the people power III that brought President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to power in March 2001.

Party-List Representative Leonardo Q. Montemayor, who represented the Alyansang Bayanihan na mga
Magsasaka, Manggagawang-Bukid at Mangingisda, was appointed DA Secretary in March 2001 until the
present. Immediately, he outlined his 11-point agenda to accelerated agricultural development
nationwide.

Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr., took the helm of the Department in December 2002 and spearheaded the
launching of the Roll-On, Roll-Off or RORO transport program. The hybridization programs of the
Department were intensified and interventions were focused on the Mindanao regions.

Secretary Arthur C. Yap, appointed on August 23, 2004, continued to uphold the vision of a modernized
smallholder agriculture and fisheries, a diversified rural economy that is dynamic, technologically
advance and internationally competitive. Under his term, Goal 1 (develop two million hectares of new
lands for agribusiness to contribute two million to the 10 million jobs targeted by 2010) and Goal 2
(make food plentiful while keeping the price of "wage goods" at low prices) were unveiled.

During Panganiban’s 2nd term as Secretary, a total of 203,000 hectares of idle lands and 313,000 jobs
were developed under Goal 1 and ten Huwarang Palengke (outstanding markets) were identified under
Goal 2. Food lanes were designated for easier, faster and kotong-free transport of agricultural products.

When Secretary Yap took the agri seat on October 23, 2006, he 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.

Secretary Bernie Fondevilla continued DA’s mandate of providing sufficient food and sustainable
livelihood for the Filipino people through modernized technologies and facilities when he took the agri
seat on March 2010.

On June 30, 2010, President Benigno S. Aquino III appointed two-term congressman of Quezon and civil
engineer by profession Proceso J. Alcala as Secretary. One of the principal authors of Republic Act
10068, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, he is keen on increasing rice production and do away with
rice imports by 2013 by expanding areas planted to rice to include uplands, marshlands and idle
farmlands.

He introduced the concept of Agrikulturang Pilipino or Agr-Pinoy as the Department of Agriculture's

over-all strategic framework that serves as a guide in the implementation of its various services and
programs in 2011-2016 and beyond.

Agri-Pinoy optimizes the development of Philippine resources, natural and human, to achieve goals in
agriculture and fisheries, and contribute to national development with its battlecry. "Sa Agri-Pinoy,
asenso'y tuloy-tuloy."