William Dar returns to DA as new chief
MANILA, Philippines — William Dar, who briefly served as acting agriculture secretary during the presidency of Joseph Estrada, returns to the agency as its new leader.
President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Dar as acting agriculture secretary, replacing Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol, Malacañang said Monday.
Dar was a former director-general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, an organization which conducts agricultural research for rural development. He led ICRISAT from 2000 to 2014.
In 2016, Dar received The Outstanding Filipino Award from Duterte. The president cited Dar’s work in directing the International Rice Research Institute and other agricultural research institutions.
“He has been instrumental in giving food and opportunities, not only for the countrymen but for people all over the world, especially in India and the sub-Saharan Africa,” Duterte said then.
During the Estrada administration, Dar was also the presidential adviser on rural development.
Piñol, who resigned as Agriculture chief in June, is the incoming head of the Mindanao Development Authority. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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