Keeping a modern and resilient agriculture at the heart of Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas

One hundred and twenty-seven years ago, the Department of Agriculture (DA) was created by President Emilio Aguinaldo, just 11 days after the proclamation of Philippine independence.

- By FRANCISCO TIU LAUREL JR. and LIONEL DABBADIE

Eighty years ago, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was founded to ensure that famine and hunger would never again threaten peace and prosperity.

Today, our two institutions mark these milestones in a time of urgent global transformation.

After decades of hard-won progress, the world faces a new era of climate disruption, geopolitical instability, rising poverty and economic fragility.

The Philippines is changing too - on track to become an upper-middle-income country, with greater responsibilities and emerging challenges. Together, FAO and the DA have delivered tangible results: from the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease, to strengthening food safety systems and promoting climate-resilient agriculture. On the global stage, the Philippines now contributes actively to debates on genetic resources, sustainable fisheries and food system transformation through the Committee on World Food Security or the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Under the banner "Para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas," we are committed to transforming agriculture into a more modern, competitive and inclusive sector.