The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for the wider use of disruptive technological platforms in transforming agricultural processes, not only in the Philippines but in the entire Asia-Pacific region and achieve for global food security.
DA Secretary William Dar cited the need to use technologies like e-commerce and global positioning systems to elevate the sector in his speech at the Asia-Pacific regional conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations held in Bangladesh last week.
Dar said disruptive technologies “significantly alter” the way farmers, fishers, consumers, industries or businesses operate, specifically citing the local private sector’s push in utilizing e-commerce, online marketing and distribution to cope with the country’s food needs, especially during the quarantine lockdowns.
“We aim to implement these plans through knowledge exchange, science uptake and public-private partnerships. We are also scaling-up and sustaining our grassroot flagship climate program…,” said Dar.
The DA said participating agriculture ministers in the event also emphasized the need for climate-smart policies, innovations and investments in agriculture in the region to increase climate-resilience of food production and enhance livelihoods of rural, agricultural and coastal communities and their associated value chains.
DA said ministers also highlighted the crucial role of effective biosecurity systems in addressing both emergence of pest and diseases, as well as transboundary introductions to address risks to human, animal and plant health, among others.
“We believe our collective regional and global response to both the pandemic and climate change must be broad, scientific, equitable and innovative. We must develop efficient and resilient food production and delivery systems not only for today’s increasing population but also for succeeding generations,” Dar said. – Jed Macapagal
