National stakeholders review farmers’ registry implementation

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is currently conducting the first-quarter national assessment and planning workshop for the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). This workshop, being held from April 16 to 18 in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, aims to address critical issues and constraints in implementing and updating the farmers’ registry.

RSBSA serves as the fundamental requirement for accessing agri-fishery-related government services, particularly the programs and projects of the DA and its affiliated bureaus, agencies, and corporations. Stakeholders from the RSBSA National Program Management Office, banner programs, and attached agencies have convened to address updates regarding RSBSA components, including farmer and fisherfolk profiling, georeferencing farm parcels, and the ongoing development of the DA’s Integrated Interventions Monitoring System.

The workshop also discusses financial and physical accomplishments, catch-up plans, the Secretary’s directives on the registry, World Bank technical assistance proposals, and emerging initiatives in agriculture. It serves as a platform to address concerns encountered by program implementers in the regions, provide inputs on activities related to integration with the RSBSA, and offer recommendations to enhance the registry’s overall system and operation. The DA plans to digitize its operations by improving the registry system to reduce costs in the food value chain, increase market access, improve agricultural profitability, and ensure a stable supply of affordable food for consumers.

Chief of the Department of Agriculture Field Programs Operational Planning Division Ralph Alan C. Ceniza emphasized, “We conduct this type of assessment to foster collaboration on initiatives from various agencies. This collaborative effort is key in facilitating the linking and coordination of our collective efforts to establish a robust registry. This central database will encompass all projects, whether related to livestock or crops, and your contributions are invaluable in this process.”###Texts by SMHToreno & JVDGuzman/DA-RAFIS 6