The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) have strengthened their partnership to improve how agricultural data is gathered and used across the country. Announced Sunday, the collaboration will leverage satellite imagery and artificial intelligence – already being tested by PSA – to better estimate crop output and support food security planning.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. noted that precise, timely data will guide smarter decisions on production, logistics, and resource allocation, while helping identify areas needing intervention. PSA’s National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa confirmed the agencies will also build local government capacity to submit better information, combining advanced technology with on-the-ground checks.
Tiu Laurel also called for rebuilding the DA’s agricultural extension workforce to collect real-time field data, and welcomed this year’s long-awaited national census, saying updated population and consumption figures will help forecast food needs more accurately.
