Modern agri tech, initiatives showcased during DA’s National ICT Month celeb

The Department of Agriculture (DA) joined the celebration of the National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Month 2024 with the theme, “Bayang Digital ang Bagong Pilipinas” on June 10.

On behalf of DA Undersecretary for Administration Allan Umali, who also serves as the Department’s Focal Officer for matters related to digitalization programs, Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) Director Honorio Flameño emphasized the agriculture department’s commitment to partaking in digital transformation efforts.

“Ang pakikiisa natin sa digital transformation ay makikita sa ating patuloy na mga hakbangin na naglalayong gawing moderno ang mga sistema sa agrikultura at pagpapabuti ng kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Sa pamamagitan ng pagsasama-sama ng mga makabagong teknolohiya, napapahusay natin ang pamamahala ng mga datos, pag-streamline ng mga proseso, at pagpapatibay ng transparency at pananagutan sa ating mga serbisyo,” he said.

As such, Director Flameño introduced various ICT initiatives of the Department including the creation of a Digital Agriculture Team under the DA-Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), the updating of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), the establishment of the Agriculture-based Central Data Ecosystem (AbCDE), and the upscaling of the DA’s interventions management platforms and electronic vouchers.

“Ating layunin na maiangat ang sektor ng agri-fisheries sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga makabagong tool at mga teknolohiyang madaling magamit ng ating mga consumer, food producer, at decision-maker. Sa ating pagsisimula ng isang buwang pagdiriwang, pagtibayin nating muli ang ating dedikasyon sa pagbuo ng isang bayang digital kung saan ang mga digital na solusyon ay nagtutulak ng pag-unlad sa bawat sektor,” the ICTS Director encouraged.

By virtue of Proclamation No. 1521, series of 2008, the annual celebration of the National ICT Month recognizes the vital role of ICT as a major driver for economic development and national transformation and thus aims to harmonize all ICT-related efforts by the government and the private sector into being inclusive, private sector-led,