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Archives
Sep 1-30, 2003
DA establishes DAGISNet; BAR technical adviser present potential
by Likha C. Cuevas
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| (from left to right facing camera) Mr. Ric Castro,
section head of BAR-ICTS, Ibarra Poliquit, DA Assistant
Secretary, and Dr. Steeve Godilano, technical adviser
of BAR on GIS |
The Department of Agriculture (DA),
through Assistant cretary for Field Operations Ibarra
T.C. Poliquit, with support from the Bureau of Agricultural
Research (BAR) through Director William C. Medrano, initiated
the establishment of the DA Geospatial Information Systems
Network (DAGISNet). An initial meeting was held at the
NAFC Conference Room DA Compound, Quezon City, 2 September
2003.
DAGISNet aims to provide geospatial technology
in planning, implementation, analysis, monitoring and
evaluation, and assist in policy-making for DA programs/projects.
The project is also geared to provide statistical and
geographical knowledge and information to its clientele
who have access on the Internet.
For an orientation on DAGISNet, Dr. Esteban
Godilano BAR technical adviser on GIS gave a two-hour
presentation on the potential of GIS as a tool in agricultural
and fishery development. The meeting was highlighted
by the development of short and long term plans forDAGISNet
operation in the whole Department. The first step is
an inventory of existing databases of the agencies followed
by capability building of staff that will manage DAGISNet.
There will be a technical working group (TWG) to oversee
the over-all operation. So far, there are already a
number of information technology (IT) staff from different
agencies who trained at BAR on GIS and data warehousing
(data gathering).
The need for DA to consolidate all the
efforts on GIS by all agencies was stressed. Currently,
there are DA bureaus and attached agencies like the
Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), National
Irrigation Administration (NIA), Bureau of Animal Industry
(BAI), and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS)
that are already using geospatial technology. These
agencies find the tool useful and effective in implementing
their various programs. It was also emphasized that
there should only be one base map used by DA field offices,
bureaus, and attached agencies. To be generated by DAGISNet,
this base map will be distributed to all network members
and they can tailor these maps according to their needs.
Aside from providing geospatial technology
for DA programs and projects, DAGISNet is also geared
to provide knowledge and information that are accessible
in the Internet. The data exchange and sharing of information
with the common database template is easier without
duplication of efforts. Many routine and repeated tasks
could be simplified or eliminated. This would also minimize
cost of data collection, processing, and consolidation.
DAGISNet is envisioned to have a central database created,
which will be linked to DA-GIS and be made available
in the Internet.
To fast track all the initial activities
in DAGISNet establishment, Poliquit scheduled a training
on GIS for all DA units that were represented in the
initial meeting. 
September 1-30 2003 Articles:
:: RP, IRRI hold workplan meeting
:: DA establishes DAGISNet; BAR technical adviser present potential
:: Dr. Solsoloy represents BAR in citrus forum
:: Functional foods seminar held
:: Crossing boundaries to save indigenous crops
:: Healthy oil?
:: Coconut flour form sapal; cheap and nutritious
:: BAR holds AFRDIS joint review meeting
::: More September 2003 articles :::
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