The department is currently led by the secretary of agriculture, nominated by the president of the Philippines and confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

In 1901, under the American colonial government, priority was given to the development of other agricultural products, such as rice and other basic commodities, as well as fishing, forestry, and mining.

2666, otherwise known as An Act to Re-organize the Executive Department of the Government of the Philippine Islands, on November 18, 1916, and was implemented on January 1, 1917.

This act provided for the establishment of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), which would take over direct executive control, direction, and supervision of the Bureaus of Agriculture, Forestry, Lands, Science, and Weather, as well as all matters concerning hunting, fisheries, sponges and other sea products, and such others as may be assigned to it by law.

[8] The same executive order mandated the DA to promote agricultural development by providing the policy framework, public investment, and support services, which are needed for domestic and export-oriented business enterprises.

The four agencies are now direct subjects of the Office of the President, where they are overseen by the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization.

Tiu Laurel Jr. appointed Arnel de Mesa as the full-time spokesman for the DA, promoted his chief of staff, John Alvin F. Balagbag, as undersecretary and lawyer Roland Tulay as OIC of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Office of the Undersecretary for Administration.

Also appointed were DA’s representatives to the technical working group drafting the implementing rules and regulations of The Internet Transactions Act of 2023 Director IV Honorio Flameno Ph.