Bridging Governance and Grassroots: The Installation of a Farmer Regional Executive Director in Northern Mindanao

COURTESY: Department of Agriculture RFO X 

Leadership in agriculture has often been a domain dominated by policy experts and government officials. However, in a bold and inspiring move, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) has once again showcased the power of participatory governance. On a momentous occasion held on May 5 in El Salvador City, the region welcomed Nilda B. Salas, an embodiment of hope and grassroots wisdom, as its Farmer Regional Executive Director (FRED). Her installation coincides with the annual Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month and embodies the essence of connecting farmer-leaders with policy-making processes.  

In this blog, we delve into the significance of Salas's installation, explore the Farmer-Director Program and its transformative potential, and look at the valuable lessons other regions can learn from this initiative. **From policy discussions to fostering inter-agency collaborations**—this is a story of how governance can thrive through inclusive and innovative leadership approaches.  

Embracing Change: The Installation of a Farmer-Leader as FRED in DA-10

May 5, 2023, marked a historic milestone not only for Northern Mindanao but for the agricultural community at large. In a carefully orchestrated turnover ceremony in El Salvador City, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) entrusted the reins temporarily to Nilda B. Salas. As the incumbent chairperson of the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), Salas was invited to lead DA-10 as its Farmer Regional Executive Director for the entire month of May.  

Her appointment is part of a larger program initiated in 2017 by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF). Under this initiative, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) chairpersons are annually designated to serve as FREDs during Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month. The rationale is to open up avenues for grassroots leaders who directly represent the voices of farmers and fishers to engage in government operations, decision-making, and policy advocacy.  

During her installation, Salas emphasized her commitment to scaling up partnerships with local councils such as the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC), City Agricultural and Fishery Council (CAFC), and Municipal Agricultural and Fishery Council (MAFC). Stressing the importance of involving these entities in agricultural decision-making processes, her vision for a more inclusive governance structure resonated strongly with stakeholders.  

“I urge the private sector to engage with the government initiatives with commitment, dedication, and a strong spirit of volunteerism to contribute to our progress,” Salas remarked. Her call to action went beyond rhetoric, drawing attention to the necessity of coalescing public and private bodies to drive agricultural innovation and sustainability forward.  

The Farmer-Director Program: Empowering Grassroots Leadership

The Farmer-Director Program is not just a ceremonial exercise; it represents a departure from traditional top-down governance approaches. By temporarily assigning RAFC chairpersons like Salas as Farmer Regional Executive Directors (FREDs), the Department of Agriculture taps directly into the experiences of those who till the soil and labor in fisheries. This innovative governance strategy has been hailed as an exemplary model for participatory leadership.  

The FRED program equips farmer-leaders with firsthand exposure to government operations. Through this month-long immersion, they are granted platforms to contribute unique perspectives to policy discussions and program implementations. Although the authority to sign policy-related documents remains with the Regional Executive Director (RED), FREDs are empowered to make recommendations that are expected to echo the concerns and aspirations of their communities.  

DA-10 RED Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, who officiated the ceremony, highlighted the bilateral benefits of this initiative. "The program doesn’t just provide a platform for farmers—it enriches governance with practical, on-ground insights. These collaborations enliven the spirit of transparency, inclusiveness, and mutual respect,” he shared during his address.  

Furthermore, the Farmer-Director Program has underscored the importance of advisory roles such as the RAFCs. These councils serve as intermediary bodies, offering consultative and advisory services within the Department of Agriculture. By ensuring the private sector has a seat at the table, the RAFCs have remained instrumental in addressing agriculture and fisheries-related challenges at the regional level.  

Strengthening Local Councils and Intersectoral Collaboration

A significant portion of Salas’s agenda revolves around empowering local AFCs, including the PAFCs, CAFCs, and MAFCs. She envisions these councils as dynamic agents driving agricultural transformation and elevating the voices of stakeholders across Northern Mindanao. In particular, she has called for their stronger recognition by Local Government Units (LGUs), emphasizing that inclusive governance must extend from national to local levels.  

The rationale behind this course of action is clear. Local councils are uniquely positioned to identify grassroots-level concerns, making their inclusion in decision-making processes not just beneficial but essential. However, these councils often face challenges such as limited funding, low visibility, and minimal integration into LGU policymaking. By bridging these gaps, Salas aims to maximize their potential and ensure they play a pivotal role in shaping regional agricultural and fisheries programs.  

Moreover, the success of Salas’s agenda depends on fostering robust intersectoral collaborations. Agriculture and fisheries intersect with multiple sectors, including education, health, trade, and infrastructure. Recognizing this, Salas has advocated for stronger alliances between DA-10 and LGUs, academe, industry players, and civil society organizations (CSOs). These partnerships could pave the way for innovative solutions to long-standing issues, such as declining farm productivity, fish stock depletion, and climate resilience challenges.  

The ultimate goal is clear: to transform Northern Mindanao into a region where the agriculture and fishing sectors are not only sustainable but also thriving. With Salas leading the charge, the region has taken a significant step forward in this direction.  

Lessons and Implications for the Future

The installation of Nilda B. Salas as DA-10’s Farmer Regional Executive Director offers valuable lessons for policymakers across the Philippines. Perhaps the most striking takeaway is the critical importance of farmer-leaders in bridging gaps between government agencies and on-ground realities. Programs like the Farmer-Director Program demonstrate that local leaders armed with firsthand experiences can bring fresh ideas to the table, ideas that challenge conventional governance norms.  

Another critical implication of this initiative is the need for more programs that encourage participatory leadership. By involving grassroots representatives in the crafting and implementation of policies, agencies like the Department of Agriculture can create an ecosystem of shared responsibility and mutual trust. Such programs could be scaled to other sectors, including health, education, and disaster management, creating a ripple effect of positive change across the nation.  

From a broader perspective, Salas’s leadership underscores the transformative potential of inclusive governance in addressing 21st-century challenges. Whether it’s ensuring food security, promoting export-ready agricultural products, or enabling communities to adapt to climate change, farmer-leaders have an essential role to play.  

Lastly, the success of Salas’s short yet impactful tenure will likely inspire younger generations of farmers and fishers. Representation matters, and seeing one of their own take the helm of a government agency will surely spark enthusiasm and hope for many in Northern Mindanao’s agricultural sector.  

Harvesting Collaboration for a Brighter Future

The installation of Nilda B. Salas as Farmer Regional Executive Director (FRED) has been more than just a ceremonial gesture; it is a powerful statement about the value of grassroots leadership. By putting a farmer-leader at the helm of DA-10, even for just a month, the government has showcased its commitment to participatory governance—a system where every voice matters.  

In her role, Salas has committed to bridging gaps, fostering inclusivity, and strengthening the vital link between local councils and government operations. But the true measure of her leadership doesn’t lie in the immediate outcomes; it lies in the seeds she has planted—inspired collaboration, empowered councils, and a more inclusive agricultural sector. It is through initiatives like these that Northern Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines can build a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.  

As we celebrate Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month, let us be reminded that governance is at its best when it embraces diversity, represents the least heard, and champions shared vision. Nilda B. Salas's journey as DA-10’s FRED is a testimony to this truth—a story of how a farmer-leader, armed with vision and dedication, can ignite a movement in an entire region. **The progress of agriculture is no longer confined to policies written in boardrooms; it thrives when it is nourished by the wisdom of the fields.