Artificial intelligence and satellite technology are set to play a bigger role in the country’s food security strategy as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) strengthen their data-sharing partnership to improve production planning and policy decisions.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said closer collaboration between the two agencies will provide policymakers with more accurate and timely information to guide decisions on food production, logistics and government interventions.

Key to making the right decisions

“As they say, information is key to making the right decisions,” Tiu Laurel said. “Accurate and timely data will ensure that our food security objectives are met. It tells us where production is strong, where it is weak, and where government intervention is needed.”

The initiative includes expanding the use of satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to estimate crop production, technologies that the PSA has begun piloting based on practices already adopted in several countries.

Key contributors to economic growth

National Statistician and Economic Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa said the partnership recognizes the importance of agriculture and fisheries as key contributors to economic growth, employment, and the country’s food supply.

“We want to assure the DA that we are generating reliable and accurate statistics,” Mapa said, adding that both agencies are also working to strengthen the capacity of local government units and DA-attached agencies to improve the quality of agricultural data.