Senator Francis Pangilinan on Thursday pushed for increased funding for the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) digital agriculture program, saying it could help prevent corruption, eliminate “ghost farmers,” and curb wasteful projects similar to those flagged in recent infrastructure controversies.

Pangilinan said the bicameral conference committee’s decision to raise funding for digital agriculture from P500 million to P600 million under the proposed 2026 DA budget is a step toward more transparent, efficient, and evidence-based management of the country’s farming and food systems.

According to the senator, digital agriculture harnesses data, online platforms, and smart technologies to strengthen farmer and fisher registries, improve traceability, enhance monitoring, and support data-driven planning.

The program also includes data dashboards that provide the DA with real-time visibility over production levels, farm inputs, infrastructure projects, and agricultural risks.

“Walang pagnanakaw ‘pag nakamasid ang taumbayan. Ang maganda sa digital, mahirap itago ang katotohanan kaya mainam na proteksyon ito para sa ating lahat na nagbabayad ng buwis (There is no stealing when the people are watching. What’s good about digital systems is that the truth is hard to hide, so it serves as good protection for all of us who pay taxes),” Pangilinan said, stressing that public access to data serves as a deterrent to corruption.

He added that digital systems can also ensure government assistance reaches legitimate beneficiaries.

“Sisiguruhin nitong tech na mapupunta sa totoong magsasaka at mangingisda ang ayuda, insurance, at iba pang suporta, at hindi sa mga multo (This technology will ensure that aid, insurance, and other forms of support go to real farmers and fisherfolk, not to ghost beneficiaries),” he said.

Pangilinan explained that integrating digital tools into planning, procurement, agricultural extension, market access, and enforcement would help ensure that larger budgets translate into measurable and verifiable outcomes.

“Pinakamalakas na depensa laban sa korapsyon ‘pag bukás ang datos at proseso, at may paki ang taumbayan. Di na dapat maulit ang mga pagkakamali ng DPWH (The strongest defense against corruption is when data and processes are open, and the people care. The mistakes of the DPWH should never be repeated),” he said, referring to past infrastructure issues linked to alleged corruption.

On the ground, the DA’s digital initiatives include platforms such as e-Kadiwa or Kadiwa Online, which connect farmers directly to consumers, as well as the use of drones, satellite imagery, and remote-sensing technologies for crop monitoring, yield forecasting, and disaster damage assessment.

While studies show that digital agriculture can boost productivity, resilience, and farmer incomes, Pangilinan acknowledged challenges such as limited connectivity, lack of devices, and gaps in digital skills, particularly among smallholder farmers and fisherfolk.

He said these concerns highlight the need for inclusive extension services, infrastructure investments, and strong public-private partnerships.

“Gamitin natin ang makabagong teknolohiya na dapat naabot at nagagagmit din ng mga constituent ng DA. Kung gusto natin ng mas abot-kayang pagkain at mas mataas na kita ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda, kailangan natin ng mga datos at prosesong nasusubaybayan at nasusuri (Let’s use new tech that is also accessible and usable by the constituents of DA. If we want lower food prices and higher farmer incomes, we need data and processes that are traceable and checkable),” Pangilinan said.