Strengthening government-led initiatives and fostering public-private partnerships could accelerate the adoption of digital agriculture technologies, crucial for modernizing farm production and narrowing the digital divide in the agri-food sector, according to a new report by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
The study highlights the importance of digital agriculture in boosting productivity, market opportunities, and environmental sustainability. It outlines how mobile technologies, remote sensing, and distributed computing are already improving smallholder access to information and markets. However, the report acknowledges that widespread adoption is still in its early stages, with technologies like fintech and automated farm equipment not yet mainstream.
The report, titled “Transforming Philippine Agri-Food Systems with Digital Technology: Extent, Prospects, and Inclusiveness,” predicts that decision support systems, online advisory services, crop management tools, and online marketplaces will likely see broader adoption within the next five years.
Government priorities, including the allocation of budgets for digital infrastructure, and stakeholder interest in advisory services, portable equipment, and online platforms are key to the growth of digital agriculture. The paper also warns that the digital divide could exacerbate rural-urban inequities unless strategic measures are taken to improve rural connectivity and create inclusive digital ecosystems.
Key policy recommendations to support the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) include harmonizing government data, creating a single digital agriculture portal, expanding decision support systems for climate resilience, and establishing a centralized e-commerce platform for MSMEs. The report also calls for investments in traceability, food safety, and skills programs for smallholder farmers to ensure the equitable growth of the agri-food sector.
