In 1901, the United States Philippine Commission created the Insular Bureau of Agriculture under the Department of Interior.

On September 26, 1972, the first decree promulgated by then President Ferdinand Marcos was for the reorganization of the Executive Branch of the Government.

BAR's specific mandate to coordinate agricultural research was affirmed by Executive Order 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987.

The AFMA law and the Executive Orders mandate BAR to orchestrate, consolidate and strengthen the National Research and Development System for Agriculture and Fisheries (NaRDSAF).

On November 3, 2021, Dr. Junel B. Soriano officially assumed the position of BAR Director, replacing Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril.