DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE .


LEGAL AUTHORITY

Reorganization Plan No. 4 of July 26, 2010 known as the 2010 Department of Agriculture Reorganization Plan, derogated the Act No. 60 of April 25, 1940, as amended, known as the Department of Agriculture Act, and granted the Department of Agriculture the agility and efficiency needed to meet the needs of farmers and the well-being of Puerto Rico.


MISSION

Ensure a supply of quality, healthy produce that promotes balanced nutrition, offer renewable energy options to the consumers and provide different services that can be provided by our farmers.


ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

  • Communications, Press and Public Relations
  • Human Resources and Labor Relations Auxiliary Secretary
  • Internal Audit Office
  • Land Preservation Initiatives
  • Legal Affairs
  • Office of the Agricultural Innovation and Commercialization Auxiliary Secretary
  • Office of the Agro Commercial Integrity Auxiliary Secretary
  • Office of the Secretary
  • Planning and Finances
  • Regional Administrations and Integrated Service Centers

Statistical Data 2011 2012 2013

 

Avocados (thousands $) 6,962 7,200 7,200
Bananas (thousands $) 304,527 305,000 305,000
Beef and veal meat (thousands of pounds) 19,498 20,500 20,500
Cidras (quintals) 2,413 2,500 2,500
Coconuts (quintals) 3,861 3,950 3,950
Coffee (quintals) 119,924 120,500 120,500
Eggs (thousands of dozens) 13,773 14,500 14,500
Fish and sea food (thousands of pounds) 2,144 2,600 2,600
Malanga (quintals) 5,617 6,200 6,200
Mangoes (tons) 8,076 8,500 8,500
Milk (thousands of quarters) 297,847 305,000 305,000
Miscellaneous products (thousands $) 56,510 56,900 56,900
Onions (quintals) 101,397 102,000 102,000
Oranges (thousands) 111,651 112,000 112,000
Ornamental plants (thousands $) 45,297 46,500 46,500
Other farinaceous (thousands $) 3,069 3,400 3,400
Other fruits (thousands $) 3,761 4,200 4,200
Other vegetables (thousands $) 11,078 11,500 11,500
Peppers (quintals) 75,484 77,500 77,500
Pigeon peas (quintals) 3,939 4,150 4,150
Pineapple (tons) 1,532 1,600 1,600
Plantains (thousands $) 280,041 282,000 282,000
Pork meat (thousands of pounds) 16,813 17,000 17,000
Poultry meat (thousands of pounds) 86,132 87,500 87,500
Pumpkins (quintals) 186,953 188,000 188,000
Sweet potatoes (quintals) 8,702 9,100 9,100
Tomatoes (quintals) 545,589 547,000 547,000
Watermelons (quintals) 94,824 95,600 95,600
Yams (quintals) 36,544 36,950 36,950
Young cows breeding for replacement (units) 17,880 18,500 18,500
other meats (thousands of pounds) 1,708 2,100 2,100

The statistical data is information provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget preparation process.

PROGRAMS

Administration

Program Description

As of December 2010, according to the Office of Managements and Budget's authorized structural reorganization, this program was incorporated into the Management and Administration Program.

Regional Administration and Integrated Service Centers

Program Description

It coordinates the efforts and resources with the Department of Agriculture units and agencies; offers direct assessment and training on modern techniques in different agricultural businesses; visits farms in order to offer assessment to farmers and agricultural workers on recommended practices; certifies the adequate use of assistance and incentives, and offers effective follow-up to ensure the efficient operation of the agricultural business. It has regional offices in Arecibo, Caguas, Lares, Mayaguez, Naranjito, Ponce, San German and Utuado. Following the Reorganization Plan and the establishment of Integrated Service Centers, it looks to reduce request processing times to increase efficiency and effectiveness in the services offered.

Statistical Data 2011 2012 2013

 

Applications for incentives aid processed, completed and recommended 8,136 8,500 8,500
Coordination of services to farmers and related agricultural agencies 1,756 1,800 1,800
Farmer visits 21,620 22,500 22,500
Farmers attended in the Office of Agricultural Programs 33,881 34,000 34,000
Meetings and trainings to farmers 252 300 300
Meetings, trainings and other educational activities with agronomists 600 650 650
OGPe Inquiries related to agricultural land 1,200 1,300 1,300
Processing rehabilitation program applications coffee industry 1,267 1,400 1,400

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Customers

Farmers, fishermen, aquaculture personnel, agro-entrepreneurs, students and the general public

Management and Administration

Program Description

It formulates and revises the Agricultural Development Plan and establishes rules and regulations for agricultural programs. It is comprised of the Office of the Secretary, the Auxiliary Secretary, Legal, Communications, Press and Public Relations, Land Preservation and Conservation, and Internal Audit. It is also responsible for providing services and technical assessment in Human Resources and Labor Relations. Following Reorganization Plan No. 4 and to avoid the duplication of functions, the Division of Human Resources and Labor Relations of the Agricultural Businesses Development Administration (ADEA, Spanish acronym) will be transferred to the Department of Agriculture's Human Resources and Labor Relations Auxiliary Secretary. In accordance with Reorganization Plan No. 4, this program was incorporated into the Administration starting December 2010.

Statistical Data 2011 2012 2013

 

Activities Photographed 300 350 350
Administrative hearings 120 150 150
Agricultural land use inquiry 1,290 1,400 1,400
Audiovisual presentations - agricultural program 55 60 60
Bonafide farmer certifications under Act No. 225, Tax incentives 3,000 4,000 4,000
Civil administrative cases 50 55 55
Court Appearance 25 30 30
Department of Agriculture official activities 640 675 675
Fiscal documents processed 8,500 9,500 9,500
Follow up on the Comptroller's Office and external auditors recommendations 410 450 450
Press conferences 50 60 60
Press releases 80 90 90
Regular interventions 20 25 25
Special interventions 30 40 40
TV and radio programs 400 425 425

The statistical data information provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget preparation process.

Customers

Farmers, agro-entrepreneurs, personnel from other agencies, students and the general public

Agricultural Innovation and Commercialization

Program Description

It provides assessment, technical support and coordination for the development of modern and technologically supported agriculture with an entrepreneurial vision that contributes to the economic development of Puerto Rico. It has regulation offices for the following industries: poultry, pure Puerto Rican "Paso Fino" horses, coffee, beef, citrus and fruits, rabbits, root vegetables, forage, grain, gardening, dairy, ornamentals, small ruminants, fishing, pork, as well as the Agricultural Permits Office. Together with the Dairy Development Fund, it coordinates activities related to milk production, marketing and sales. In addition, it offers training, assessment services, orientation and information to commercial fishermen and aqua-cultural personnel.


Statistical Data 2011 2012 2013

 

Administrative visits 80 95 95
Annual report 1 1 1
Bonafide Horse Ranch Licenses 1,200 1,400 1,400
Breeders certifications 800 900 900
Central genealogical registry 55 60 60
Competition assistance 15 20 20
Conferences and trainings 70 80 80
DNA testing 80 100 100
Dairy farms visits (sanitation) 3,000 3,500 3,500
Exhibitions 50 60 60
Horses marking 20 30 30
Licenses issued (all) 530 600 600
Machine services 29,600 30,500 30,500
Marketing & promotion trips 13 15 15
Marketing and promotional projects 15 20 20
Participating dairy plants 200 225 225
Production core facilities 40 50 50
Provisional permits 40 50 50
Public hearings held 1 3 3
Settlement report 50 65 65
Stallions register 10 15 15
Technical advice and consultations 14,000 15,000 15,000
Visitors received 2,000 2,500 2,500
Visits to dairy plant (milk quality) 2,500 3,000 3,000
Visits to horses paddock 800 900 900

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget formulation process.

Customers

Progressive farmers, horticulturalists, agro-entrepreneurs, exporters, farmers associations, the Agricultural Sciences Board, small farmers, fishermen, investors, livestock farmers, producers, elaborators, milk transporters, UHT milk importers, pasteurized and homogenized milk distributor agents, fishermen, aqua-cultural personnel, agro-business students and the general public.

Agro Commercial Integrity

Program Description

Provides technical, administrative and operational assistance as well as control and supervision of the regulations that facilitate the implementation of the General Plan for the Development of Livestock and Agriculture. It coordinates special services to farmers, elaborators, importers and users. It guarantees, by conducting the necessary lab tests, that imported products contain no unauthorized pesticide residues or exceed the tolerances established by the regulatory agencies. Prevent the entrance of pests and plant diseases as well as the dissemination of new pests that can affect agriculture in general. It also has Market Regulation Offices, Agricultural Market Inspection, Vegetable Cleanliness, Agricultural Laboratory, State and Federal Inspection, Oversight and Research of the Coffee Market and Veterinary Services. In addition, it offers services for the maintenance and development of livestock and poultry on the island. It also promotes optimum health in the Puerto Rican animal population through the control and eradication of contagious diseases in exported animals. It issues license certifications to dairy owners.

Statistical Data 2011 2012 2013

 

Applications processed for approval of packaging and labels 60 75 75
Bacteriology samples analyzed 800 950 950
Blood tests Macel-pig 35,000 36,000 36,000
Blood tests in macel bovine cattle 35,000 36,000 36,000
Blood tests in macel cattle- other species 2,000 2,500 2,500
Brucellosis eradication 800 750 750
Certification and renewal of pesticide applicators license 3,000 3,500 3,500
Customers served 1,100 1,500 1,500
Fertilizer and food samples analyzed 1,500 1,650 1,650
Hematology-samples analyzed 100 1,500 1,500
Imported agricultural products inspection (pounds) 101,206,827 103,000,000 103,000,000
Imported eggs inspection (dozens) 38,263,371 39,500,000 39,500,000
Imported pigeon peas (boxes) 571,956 575,000 575,000
Imported products inspection - flowers (pounds) 1,000,000 1,200,000 1,200,000
Imported products inspections (pounds) fruit and vegetables 80,000 82,000 82,000
Parasitological samples analyzed 200 300 300
Pathology samples analyzed 100 150 150
People advised on existing legislation 40 60 60
Poultry inspection (pounds) 185,565,843 188,500,000 188,500,000
Samples Analyzed- other services 400 500 500
Serology samples analyzed 90,000 91,000 91,000
Soil, leaf tissue and irrigation water samples analyzed 1,000 1,500 1,500
Sugar inspection-industrial consumption (pounds) 112,555,057 113,500,000 113,500,000
Tuberculosis eradication 20,646 21,000 21,000

The statistical information provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget preparation process

Customers

Livestock farmers, veterinarians, egg producers, pork producers, owners of "Paso Fino" horses, poultry producers, beef producers, farmers and the general public.

Planning and Finance

Program Description

Plans, directs, supervises and evaluates the Department's financial and administrative operations. It is comprised of the following divisions: Federal Affairs and Monitoring, , Budget, Finances and Technology and Information. Per Reorganization Plan No. 4, the program aims to be more efficient, to avoid duplication of functions and streamline its processes. The divisions of Budget and the Livestock and Agriculture Development Administration's Information Systems Office were incorporated with this program. The Department's General Services was integrated into the ADEA General Services Office.

Statistical Data 2011 2012 2013

 

Agricultural surveys and publications completed 30 45 45
Budget distributions 25 30 30
Economic studies 1 2 2
Interviews and reports on the economic situation of agricultural enterprises 13,500 14,000 14,000
Wholesale price sheets in the market place 15,000 16,000 16,000

The statistical data is Information provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget preparation process.

Customers

Farmers, fishermen, aqua-cultural personnel, agro-entrepreneurs, governmental agencies, students and the general public.



FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 ADOPTED BUDGET

The adopted consolidated budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 is $16,061,000. This amount includes $14,152,000 from the Joint Resolution - General Fund, $703,000 from State Special Funds and $1,206,000 in Federal Grants.

Operational expenses reflect a decrease of $2,044,000 when compared to funds assigned in fiscal year 2011-2012 due to the implementation of an early retirement incentive program.

Resources from the Joint Resolution - General Fund will allow the department to meet its goals and comply with strategic and established programmatic commitments; to continue the promotion and development of livestock and agriculture and to provide the tools needed to organize the diverse agricultural industry while promoting the economic development of Puerto Rico.

State Special Funds are generated from fees charged for inspections of agricultural products, the issuance of import licenses, administrative fines, pesticide impounding, pest fumigation licenses, animal laboratory analyses, DNA tests on "Paso Fino" horses and "Paso Fino" horses registrations in the Pedigree Registry. These resources will be used to cover administrative expenses, for example: purchase of laboratory materials, laboratory and office equipment, travel expenses within Puerto Rico, the purchase of materials and supplies, rent of office equipment and miscellaneous services.

Some of the contributing Federal Grants are: Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care, Inspection Grading and Standardization, Agricultural Statistics Report, Environmental Protection Consolidated Grants Program Support, Consolidated Pesticide Enforcement Cooperative Agreements and the Pesticide Certification Program Grants. These funds are used to control diseases in animals, pesticide law oversight, certification of exterminators and the farm-use pesticide registry.

SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES

Consolidated Budget  (thousands $) 2010 2011 2012 2013

 

Program  
Operational Expenses Actual Actual Budget Adopted
Administration 1,575 1,173 0 0
Agricultural Economic Development 2,270 780 977 911
Aid and Incentives to Farmers in Regional Offices 7,800 8,383 6,007 5,010
General Management and Administration 5,770 1,722 3,070 2,840
Planning and Finance 1,801 1,761 1,527 1,293
Special Services for Agricultural Development 6,648 6,197 6,524 6,007
Subtotal, Operational Expenses 25,864 20,016 18,105 16,061
 
Capital Improvements
Aid and Incentives to Farmers in Regional Offices 5 0 0 0
Subtotal, Capital Improvements 5 0 0 0
Total, Program 25,869 20,016 18,105 16,061
 
Funding Sources  
Operational Expenses  
Joint Resolution - General Fund 5,556 3,181 16,165 14,152
Special Appropriations - General Fund 3,949 0 0 0
Local Stabilization Fund 14,638 14,946 0 0
Federal Grants 1,194 1,206 1,206 1,206
State Special Funds 527 683 734 703
Subtotal, Operational Expenses 25,864 20,016 18,105 16,061
 
Capital Improvements  
Other Income 5 0 0 0
Subtotal, Capital Improvements 5 0 0 0
Total, Funding Sources 25,869 20,016 18,105 16,061
 
Expense Category  
Operational Expenses  
Payroll and Related Expenses 18,936 17,745 15,867 13,728
Rent and Utilities 787 1,025 934 1,086
Purchased Services 630 468 489 528
Transportation Expenses 218 216 216 245
Other Expenses 41 199 235 104
Non Distributed Allocations 4,951 1 0 0
Equipment Purchases 156 121 121 176
Office Supplies and other Materials 145 241 241 194
Advertising and Media Expenses 0 0 2 0
Subtotal, Operational Expenses 25,864 20,016 18,105 16,061
 
Capital Improvements  
Capital Improvements Program 5 0 0 0
Subtotal, Capital Improvements 5 0 0 0
Total, Expense Category 25,869 20,016 18,105 16,061