Dr. William D. Dar is a distinguished horticulturist, visionary public servant, and development strategist whose career spans more than four decades of transformative leadership in agriculture, food security, and rural development. Guided by a deeply rooted philosophy of servant leadership, he has consistently advanced science-driven, market-oriented, and inclusive strategies that empower smallholder farmers, strengthen food systems, and promote sustainable growth in the Philippines and beyond.
Serving two terms as Secretary of Agriculture of the Philippines, most recently from 2019 to 2022, Dr. Dar led the sector with clarity of vision and decisive reform. He introduced the OneDA Reform Agenda—an integrated roadmap for modernization, industrialization, consolidation, and professionalization of Philippine agriculture. Designed to raise productivity, improve value chains, and enhance farmer incomes, the agenda positioned agriculture as a central pillar of economic recovery and national development. During his earlier tenure, the sector achieved a historic milestone: in 1999, Philippine agriculture posted a remarkable 9.6% growth rate, one of the highest ever recorded, underscoring his ability to translate reform into tangible results.
Dr. Dar’s leadership has also shaped international agricultural research and development. He made history as the only Filipino to serve as Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), a position he held for 15 years. Under his stewardship, the institute’s funding quadrupled, strategic partnerships expanded across continents, and science-based innovations enhanced the productivity, resilience, and livelihoods of millions of farmers in semi-arid and dryland regions. His tenure strengthened the institution’s global standing and reinforced the critical role of research and innovation in reducing poverty and hunger.
Today, Dr. Dar continues to provide strategic leadership in advancing food security and inclusive agribusiness. As Senior Adviser to the Kapatid Angat Lahat sa Agri Program (KALAP) and the ASEAN Food Security Alliance (AFSA), he promotes collaborative models that connect farmers to markets, investments, and technology. He also serves as Vice Chair of the World Agriculture Forum (WAF), contributing to policy dialogue on sustainable, climate-resilient, and farmer-centered agricultural development.
A firm believer in evidence-based policymaking, Dr. Dar earned his PhD in Horticulture from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and completed his MS and BS degrees at Benguet State University. He currently chairs the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), where he champions responsible biotechnology, science communication, and innovation as tools to address food insecurity and environmental challenges.
Beyond executive leadership, he contributes actively to higher education governance as a member of the Boards of Regents of several Philippine State Universities and Colleges, helping shape research priorities, institutional reforms, and academic excellence in agriculture and related fields.
Dr. Dar’s exemplary service has been recognized with 11 honorary doctorate degrees and numerous prestigious awards, including the MS Swaminathan Award, the Pamana ng Pilipino Award, the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award, and the Ten Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award. An accomplished author, his book Feeding the Forgotten Poor encapsulates his lifelong mission to uplift marginalized farmers and ensure that agricultural progress translates into inclusive growth.
Through visionary leadership, institutional reform, and unwavering dedication to service, Dr. William D. Dar has demonstrated that agriculture is more than an economic sector—it is a powerful instrument for equity, resilience, and shared prosperity. His enduring legacy continues to inspire a stronger, more food-secure future for the Philippines and the communities he has served.