Ministers list
Agricultural pursuits were fundamental to establishing and developing South Australia from 1836. However, the Department of Agriculture as an entity was not created until June 1902, when the various sub-departments that had been formed under different Ministers (essentially the Commissioner of Crown Lands) were brought under one organisation and Minister.
The first Minister of Agriculture and Education was appointed on 3 June 1875. This ministerial title lapsed soon after but was resumed until 26 October 1877 when it lapsed for more than 14 years.
From 6 January 1892 until October 1992, the portfolio was maintained except for 4 months in 1892 and for almost 4 years from mid 1901 to March 1905. The Minister of Agriculture became a stand-alone position from 26 July 1905, although the role indicated additional responsibilities on at least 2 occasions, incorporating ‘and Industry’ (1910–1912) and then ‘and Irrigation’ (1912–1915). The Minister of Agriculture also held other portfolios and departments, such as Chemistry, Forests or Fisheries, independently.
Despite the changes in the ministerial titles and departmental responsibilities, the Department of Agriculture existed as an entity until it ceased as a government agency under that name on 8 October 1992. From 1975 to 1979, it was the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. A series of amalgamations beginning in 1992 saw the transition to the Department of Primary Industries South Australia (PISA), and from 1997, to the Department of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA).
Ministers and departmental heads
Ministers responsible for Agriculture since 1856 and Heads of the Department of Agriculture/PISA/PIRSA ()