To ensure unhampered distribution of food supplies across the nation, the Departments of Agriculture (DA), and Trade and Industry (DTI) have set in motion a digital platform, which enables an efficient and transparent end-to-end market-based system.
The Deliver-E, produced through a strong partnership of DA and DTI, is a modernized marketing process connecting food producers to consumers sans the unnecessary trading layers.
The initiative allows buyers to directly access agricultural products and other basic food items. As the system eliminates middlemen, products are sold fresh at low prices.
Officially launched on December 14, the system was conceived under the collaboration with private sector partners, farmer cooperatives, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Deliver-E operates through a sophisticated blockchain technology developed by a Filipino tech startup, Insight Supply Chain Solutions (InsightSCS) that integrates related e-commerce and logistics application services from consolidation point to central warehousing facility, and then to last-mile delivery services to reach end-clients.
“With the sheer size of agricultural supply chains, only a multi-stakeholder approach to their management could free up the bottlenecks,” Agriculture Secretary William said.
The launch was highlighted by a multi-stakeholder commitment pledge signing to upscale the agriculture value chain and improve overall food security in the country even beyond the COVID-19 crisis.
“This event sparks hope that many heads are coming together to assist key supply chain players with their technological needs and constraints,” he added.
The agri chief pledged that the DA will hold to its commitment to the project by keeping to the targets it has set for the agriculture sector under Plant, Plant, Plant, and as part of the agency’s usual responsibilities.
“Online is the new byword of food security. We are fully embracing the digitalization of the agriculture sector as we journey towards the 4th Industrial Revolution, or Agriculture 4.0,” he said.
DTI Secretary Mon Lopez, in his message, highlighted that the initiative is part of the strategy of the national government to enable Filipinos to adjust to the New Normal.
“Let us try to create a Better Normal where all Filipinos can enjoy the fruits of our country’s inclusive growth and shared prosperity for all,” he said.
He added that even beyond the pandemic situation, Deliver-E’s technology is deemed as one of the key sustainable solutions to improve the Philippines’ agriculture value chain, making the country more food-secure while improving the lives of every Filipino farmer. ### (Adora Rodriguez, DA-AFID)
