Product Offerings
Products:
Services: Agricultural Policy Implementation, Market Linkage & Trade Facilitation, Regional Agribusiness Support, KADIWA Coordination
The Department of Agriculture – Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) serves as a re-established regional field office of the Philippine Department of Agriculture, dedicated to advancing agricultural development and food security across the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. Operating under the leadership of Officer-in-Charge Regional Executive Director Jose Albert A. Barrogo, DA-NIR aims to create a unified and efficient agricultural governance system for the island’s integrated agro-ecological zones.
Core Mandate and Services
DA-NIR is mandated to deliver region-specific implementation of national agriculture programs, bridging the unique needs of Negros Island’s farmers, fisherfolk, and agri-MSMEs with government services. Key functional areas include:
- Agricultural Policy and Program Implementation: Aligning DA national strategies with local realities in crop production, livestock, fisheries, agribusiness, and food systems.
- Market Linkage and Trade Facilitation: Organizing KADIWA programs and trade events that connect producers directly with consumers, LGUs, and institutional markets.
- Regional Agribusiness Development Support: Enabling the growth of micro, small, and medium agri-enterprises through enterprise incubation, investment facilitation, and product marketing.
- Capacity Building and Technical Services: Delivering training, extension services, and postharvest technologies to improve productivity and profitability among local farmers and cooperatives.
Strategic Position and Specialization
The Negros Island Region is a major producer of:
- Sugarcane (Negros Occidental is the country’s sugar capital)
- Rice and corn
- High-value crops such as banana, mango, vegetables, and organic produce
- Livestock and poultry
DA-NIR is strategically positioned to support organic farming and sustainable agriculture initiatives, with Negros Occidental known for pioneering organic agriculture in the Philippines.
Stakeholders and Beneficiaries
DA-NIR’s programs serve:
- Farmers and fisherfolk
- Agri-cooperatives and farmer associations
- Organic agriculture practitioners
- Young farmers and women-led enterprises
- Local government units (LGUs) and barangay-based food security councils
DA-NIR collaborates with national and local institutions to extend inclusive, data-driven support to its stakeholders.
Regional Implementation Capacity
Though newly operational following the approval of Executive Order No. 62 in 2023, DA-NIR is in the process of establishing:
- Regional satellite offices in Bacolod City (Negros Occidental) and Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental)
- Program clusters for rice, high-value crops, livestock, and agribusiness
- Inter-provincial coordination teams with joint planning and monitoring frameworks
Support will be drawn from existing DA regional offices and other government line agencies during the transition.
Projected Economic Contributions
DA-NIR aims to:
- Consolidate and enhance agricultural productivity across more than 800,000 hectares of farmland in Negros Island
- Expand organic product exports, especially in fresh produce and natural food items
- Facilitate over ₱250 million in market linkages and trade deals annually through KADIWA and agribusiness promotions once fully operational
With sugar and rice as core economic drivers, the integration under DA-NIR is expected to streamline policy support and improve investment inflows.
Governance and Institutional Alignment
DA-NIR adheres to the policy guidelines and governance standards of the:
- Department of Agriculture Central Office
- Commission on Audit (COA)
- Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
- Organic Agriculture Act and related legislation
It will also work closely with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas and LGUs to facilitate multi-sectoral partnerships and agricultural modernization.
Anticipated Outcomes and Impact
As the region builds its administrative infrastructure, DA-NIR is expected to:
- Improve regional coordination of DA services, minimizing bureaucratic fragmentation
- Enhance support to over 200,000 farming households
- Boost productivity and income across value chains through streamlined enterprise support
Stakeholders expect a more responsive, localized, and coherent agricultural development agenda with the reestablishment of DA-NIR.
Key Milestones and Direction
- 2023: Approval of EO No. 62 and formal start of reorganization activities for DA-NIR
- 2024-2025: Phased establishment of regional divisions, sectoral programs, and agribusiness platforms
- Target: Full operational capacity by 2026, with dedicated budget allocation and regional authority
The Department of Agriculture – Negros Island Region stands at the forefront of regional convergence for agricultural innovation and inclusive growth, poised to uplift the livelihoods of farmers and transform the island into a hub of sustainable and market-oriented agribusiness.