April 29, 2025 – The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) proudly announces the upcoming installation of Farmer-Directors across all Department of Agriculture Regional Field Offices (DA-RFOs) this May, in celebration of the 2025 Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month.

Introduced in 2017, the Farmer-Director Program is a pioneering initiative designed to strengthen collaboration between the government and private sector in agricultural development. Under the program, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairpersons — long-time advocates and representatives of rural stakeholders — are appointed as Farmer Regional Executive Directors (REDs) of their respective DA-RFOs for the entire month of May.

By empowering farmer leaders to sit at the helm of regional agricultural administration, the program promotes participatory governance, providing a vital grassroots perspective in policy-making and program implementation, and offering farmer leaders firsthand insight into government operations. The initiative also aims to enhance policy influence, enabling Farmer-Directors to contribute meaningfully to decisions that directly impact their communities. Additionally, the experience serves as a platform for capacity building, strengthening the leadership and governance skills of RAFC Chairpersons.

Throughout their term, Farmer-Directors will be supported with appropriate office spaces, service vehicles, communication tools, and secretarial assistance from DA-RFO personnel.

At the end of their term, Farmer-Directors are required to submit accomplishment reports detailing their experiences, observations, and recommendations — providing crucial insights to further improve agricultural governance and service delivery at the regional level.

Regional Agricultural and Fishery Councils (RAFCs) are advisory and consultative bodies in the Philippines that represent the private sector — especially farmers, fisherfolk, agribusinesses, and other rural stakeholders — at the regional level. They are part of a broader network called the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs), which exist at the regional (RAFC), provincial (PAFC), independent component/highly urbanized cities (ICCAFC/HUCAFC), and city/municipal (C/MAFC) levels.

The AFCs have played a critical role for over three decades in shaping agricultural and fisheries policies in the Philippines. Through their unwavering voluntary service, they have consistently bridged the gap between the government and rural communities. The Farmer Regional Executive Director Program stands as a testament to this enduring partnership and the government’s commitment to more inclusive, responsive, and effective agricultural development.

About PCAF:
The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture that serves as a consultative platform for various agriculture and fisheries stakeholders, enabling participatory and evidence-based policy development. To learn more about PCAF, visit www.pcaf.da.gov.ph.