Department of Agriculture (DA) logo with rice and some high-value crops. INQUIRER FILES
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is establishing the Agricultural and Fisheries Logistics Office (AFLO), which will be tasked with developing long-term plans to lower retail prices while reducing post-harvest losses.
The DA ordered the creation of the AFLO via Department Order No. 1, which will address critical challenges in the sector such as post-harvest losses, elevated market prices and farm-to-market inefficiencies.
READ: How can NFA sell 300,000 tons of ‘aging’ rice stocks?
According to the DA, this office will integrate logistics operations within the agency to oversee and streamline the movement of agricultural commodities.
“It will also implement a logistics coordination and monitoring system to enable real-time tracking, enhance transparency, and ensure traceability throughout the supply chain, effectively addressing issues such as smuggling and other logistical inefficiencies within the sector,” the Jan. 15 order said.
Article continues after this advertisement
The AFLO will create a strategic plan to implement logistical strategies aimed at attaining national food security by optimizing agricultural supply chains, reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing market linkages.
Article continues after this advertisement
All these will be spelled out in the Agri-Fisheries Logistics Program Plan, which includes policies, technologies, smart logistics using artificial intelligence (Al) tools and machines to maximize supply chains.
The office is responsible for overseeing the construction and maintenance of cold storage warehouses, food hubs, distribution centers and other key facilities to improve the accessibility of consumers to affordable food items.
It will also promote investments in various facilities, such as cold storage facilities, warehouses, processing plants, terminals, and port development, to strengthen the food supply chain.
The AFLO will monitor all logistics-related activities to ensure their alignment with the agency’s strategic goals and efficient implementation of relevant projects and programs.
It will provide comprehensive guidelines and support to streamline the process of issuing permits and licenses required for storing and transporting agricultural products.
Aside from beefing up anti-smuggling measures, the AFLO should come up with quality control measures to maintain product integrity and safety during transportation and storage.
Furthermore, the office will design an emergency response to resolve supply chain disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics or other crises.
The AFLO will facilitate the collaboration and linkages between the DA, relevant stakeholders and other concerned government bodies to ensure seamless logistics operations across the sector.
“This role is crucial in promoting public-private partnerships, which are essential for identifying and implementing appropriate interventions in strategic locations,” it added