The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will push for reforms that prioritize and directly benefit agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), while making the sector more investment-ready, in a high-level dialogue.

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III will present the department’s major land reform accomplishments in 2025, including reform plans for 2026, during the “Big Bold Reforms: The Philippines 2026” forum on Friday in Taguig City.

In his presentation, Estrella will highlight DAR’s performance in 2025 on how agrarian reform continues to improve ARBs by securing land tenure, expanding economic opportunities in rural communities and supporting national food security.

“Since Secretary Estrella’s assumption from July 2022 to December 2025, the DAR distributed 394,147 land titles covering 532,514 hectares, directly benefiting 362,715 agrarian reform beneficiaries nationwide,” the DAR said in a press release Thursday.

“By securing ownership of the land they till, ARBs gain stronger access to credit, government support services, and agribusiness partnerships that raise farm productivity and household income.”

Beyond land distribution, the DAR invested in critical rural infrastructure and support services to reduce the cost of doing business for small farmers.

It said that between 2022 and 2025, DAR has completed 213 irrigation projects, constructed 344 farm-to-market roads and delivered 7,583 farm machines, equipment, and support facilities.

“These interventions have increased farm efficiency, lowered post-harvest losses, and strengthened ARBs’ participation in agricultural value chains,” it said.

Estrella will outline concrete reforms for 2026 that aim to make agriculture more investment-ready while protecting farmers’ rights.

These include streamlining business processes in agriculture, promoting land consolidation arrangements that benefit ARBs, and ensuring policy stability, which remains a critical factor in attracting sustainable domestic and foreign investments. (PNA)