DAR 2026 land distribution target 400,000 hectares

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said it hopes to distribute 400,000 hectares of farmland to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) this year.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III told BusinessWorld that only about 700,000 hectares of agricultural land are left to be awarded to farmers, downgrading an earlier estimate of 2 million.

Mr. Estrella said most of the land to be distributed this year is located in Mindanao and the Visayas.

“This year, we will go for 400,000 hectares and finish the balance by 2027,” he said on Wednesday via Viber.

Mr. Estrella said DAR has yet to determine the number of land titles to be issued this year, pending the outcome of ongoing land surveys.

He said DAR also aims to complete the distribution of Certificates of Condonation and Release of Mortgage before June.

Under Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, DAR is tasked with condoning certain mortgage obligations, including unpaid amortization, interest, and surcharges incurred by ARBs under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

Mr. Estrella said DAR will also focus on irrigation projects this year to allow farmers to plant crops year-round.

He added that DAR will also encourage beneficiaries to adopt modern and scientific farming and livestock production methods.

“We hope to encourage agrarian reform organizations to adopt a more business-like culture where they are trained to manage financial matters, adopt the latest agricultural technologies, and develop innovative marketing skills,” Mr. Estrella said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel