THE government should improve digital platforms for distributing agricultural information, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said at an online seminar Monday.
“There should be a centralized repository or portal for all government agri-sites and applications, for the convenience of farmers,” Ivory R. Galang, a supervising research specialist for PIDS, said.
Ms. Galang said agricultural datasets and advisories should be consolidated on a single platform.
In a study, PIDS recommended the establishment of a high-level steering committee to oversee the harmonization of government data within digital platforms.
“We need to harmonize conflicting advisories or recommendations. It needs to be fixed so that there will be no confusion and the information given becomes effective,” she added.
It added that the creation of a single government portal that links to the various advisory tools should unify the numerous farm advisory applications.
“We are suggesting a single portal where different applications are housed, to make it easier for farmers and agricultural extension workers,” Ms. Galang said.
However, PIDS said 42.4% of farmers and fisherfolk get their information through training, coaching, or mentoring.
It added that only 4.8% use the internet.
Due to the lack of infrastructure for information and communications technology in far flung areas, uneven access to this service becomes a problem,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Galang added that there should be a centralized online marketplace for micro, small and medium enterprises selling agri-food products.
“We are envisioning a single government e-commerce platform through the (Department of Trade and Industry) so that they can consolidate the various platforms and avoid confusion,” she added. — Adrian H. Halili