As part of its thrust to modernize the country’s agri-fishery sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is laying the groundwork to digitize its operations starting with the upgrading of its management information system (MIS).

To ensure efficient, effective, and graft-free use of limited public funds, the Department of Agriculture recently created “integrity circles,” dubbed as “Agriculture Dialogue and Information Network Groups” or ADING.

“This is our response to the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to provide transparency and integrity in all government interventions,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) kicked off the yearly Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration and launch of the Plant, Plant, Plant program by recognizing outstanding farmers and fisherfolk, ceremonial planting of mango and aromatic dwarf coconut, and inspection of aquaponics prototypes, on May 26, 2020 at the DA Central Office, Quezon City.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar awarded certificates to seven outstanding farmers and fisherfolk during the event, with the theme, “Pagpupugay sa Magsasaka at Mangingisda Natin, Tungo sa Sapat na Pagkain.”

Agriculture Secretary William Dar, together with the Bureau of Plant and Industry Director George Culaste and Assistant Director Glenn Panganiban, turned over today, May 27 vegetable seeds and seedlings to Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Barangay Chairman Sigfred Hernani of Brgy. 128 Paradise Heights, Smokey Mountain, Tondo to jumpstart their community urban agriculture project.

The country’s agriculture sector is expected to play a major role in pursuing a socio-economic response framework to the Covid-19 pandemic recovery efforts.

“For us to rise stronger from this Covid-19 crisis, the government must encourage the development of an agriculture-driven economy,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar at the opening of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration and launch of the Plant, Plant Plant program, May 26, 2020, at the DA Central Office, in Quezon City.

To cater to more farm producers and consumers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded partnership for the implementation of the e-Kadiwa marketing initiative, which was first launched on May 4.

On May 15, 2020, Agriculture Secretary William Dar signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with eight new partners, including six merchants and two logistics providers.