Director Glenn Estrada of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Digitalization Program for Rice was awarded last February 2 by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for his capstone project on the benefits of digitalizing the farm sector.
Estrada is the second recipient of the award for outstanding capstone by the DAP’s Public Management Development Program, the leadership award and Dangal PMDP .
In receiving the award, Estrada thanked his former DA boss, Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian, citing the latter’s parting reminders of “duty, honor and country” that inspired him to “build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith and to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.”
In accepting the prestigious Dangal PMDP Award, Estrada said it is “not just an honor for him personally but a testament to the collective effort and dedication of many who have been part of this remarkable journey.
He thanked the PMDP Alumni Association and the selection committee for “considering my work worthy of such an esteemed accolade. Your acknowledgment of my contributions in the field of agriculture, particularly in digitalization and innovation, fuels my passion to continue striving for excellence.”
He also acknowledged the unwavering support and collaborative spirit of his mentors,colleagues and the entire DA team and partners for the award saying “we have embarked on a mission to bridge the digital divide in agriculture and have made significant strides in empowering our farmers through technology and innovation.”
He also thanked his batch Hiraya, his family and friends, “whose constant encouragement and faith in my vision have been a source of strength and motivation. Your support has been invaluable in this journey of public service and innovation.”
The award is a recognition of “our collective efforts to modernize Philippine agriculture. Through initiatives like the Digital Farmers Program, the introduction of the Interventions Monitoring Card, and our engagement in the Cashless Expo 2023, we have taken concrete steps towards making agriculture more efficient, transparent, and sustainable,” Estrada declared.
Smart agriculture
Estrada’s SAT (Smart Agriculture Technology) project enabled farmers to do better farming practices ultimately increasing their yields and incomes.
Several SATs were introduced, popularized and are being promoted to empower farmers to become competitive and prosperous even as farmers and the youth obtained a positive attitude towards SATs.
In 2023, the Digital Farmers Program already had 16 batches of training worth P6 million. The digitalization program also led to the introduction and use of IMC cards (interventions monitoring card)by farmers in receiving assistances from the government and to buy their farm inputs directly from suppliers, when these supplies were usually distributed by regional field offices and the LGUs.
Estrada said the DAP’s Middle Managers Class instilled in hima sense of commitment to public service, reinforcing the responsibility to contribute positively to the bureaucracy and society at large, even as it promises to open doors to higher responsibilities in the bureaucracy and prepare him for significant roles in public administration.
He said the PMDP-MMC was an intensive learning experience, “shaping me into a more effective, ethical, and dynamic leader in the public sector.”
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