The Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture is one of the few Cabinet-level government agencies explicitly created by the Constitution of Puerto Rico

Constitution of Puerto Rico

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the controlling government document of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is composed of nine articles detailing the structure of the government as well as the function of several of its institutions. The document also contains an extensive...

 as the Department of "Agriculture and Commerce", most of the commerce at the time of its enactment being agriculture-based. Prior to the Constitution, according to law 60 of April 25, 1940, it was known as Department of Agriculture.Its purpose is to:

• Support agricultural production, commercial fishing, and aquaculture
  Aquaculture
  Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the...
  
   to ensure fair prices and stable markets for producers and consumers;
• Work to improve and maintain farm income; and
• Help to develop and expand markets abroad for agricultural products.

DAPR administers rural development, credit, and conservation programs that are designed to implement national growth policies, and it conducts scientific and technological research in all areas of agriculture. Through its inspection and grading services, DAPR ensures standards of quality in food offered for sale.

Thrpughout the years, the Department's name has been modified, as well as its structure, but today remains a separate structure with additional agencies and public corporations as part of the Department of Agriculture "umbrella".

The Department is headed by a cabinet Secretary, appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico

Governor of Puerto Rico

The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...

 and subject to the advice and consent

Advice and consent

Advice and consent is an English phrase frequently used in enacting formulae of bills and in other legal or constitutional contexts, describing a situation in which the executive branch of a government enacts something previously approved of by the legislative branch.-General:The expression is...

 of the Senate of Puerto Rico

Senate of Puerto Rico

The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...

.. The current incumbent is former House Agriculture Committee chairman Javier Rivera Aquino

Javier Rivera Aquino

Javier Rivera Aquino, an agronomist and farmer is the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico, appointed by Governor Luis Fortuño and sworn in by Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock on January 2, 2009....

.

Secretaries of Agriculture

• Miguel Hernandez Agosto

Miguel Hernández Agosto

Miguel Hernández Agosto is a Puerto Rican politician whose service in government has spanned several generations.Finished his bachelor studies at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. Then, went to Michigan where he graduated from Michigan State University with a Masters degree and from...

• Antonio González Chapell

• Carlos López Nieves

• Javier Rivera Aquino

Javier Rivera Aquino

Javier Rivera Aquino, an agronomist and farmer is the Secretary of Agriculture of Puerto Rico, appointed by Governor Luis Fortuño and sworn in by Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock on January 2, 2009....