Davao City Councilor Proposes Digital Farm-to-Market Application to Enhance Food Security
In a move aimed at revolutionizing the local agricultural sector, a Davao City councilor has introduced a groundbreaking proposal for a digital farm-to-market application. This innovative platform is designed to directly connect farmers and fisherfolk with consumers, with the dual goals of strengthening the city's food security and improving income opportunities for local food producers.
Councilor Militar Champions Digital Solution for Agricultural Challenges
Councilor Bonz Andre A. Militar, who serves as the chairperson of the Committee on Information Technology, presented the proposed ordinance during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The measure seeks to leverage digital technology to create a direct link between local producers and buyers, including households, food establishments, and bulk purchasers.
In his privilege speech, Militar highlighted the economic vulnerabilities faced by farmers and fisherfolk, who often rely heavily on middlemen. These intermediaries frequently dictate prices and take a significant share of the profits, leaving producers with limited earnings despite rising production costs. The proposed platform will eliminate the middleman and bridge the gap between the farm and the table, Militar emphasized.
Key Features and Benefits of the Proposed Digital Platform
The ordinance outlines the development of a dedicated digital platform where food producers can post, market, and sell their products directly to buyers. Key features of the application include:
- Display of real-time market prices to promote transparency and fair pricing
- Enabling informed decision-making among both producers and consumers
- Reduction of post-harvest losses by allowing producers to secure buyers before or during harvest periods
- Prevention of oversupply and spoilage through better market coordination
Militar assured that the platform will be free to use and will not impose additional fees on food producers, making it accessible to all. He also noted that the application is expected to improve food distribution efficiency in Davao City by allowing consumers and businesses to easily access locally produced food. This supports sustainable agriculture and fisheries while reducing reliance on external suppliers.
Grassroots Implementation and Government Support
To ensure accessibility at the grassroots level, the Barangay Council for Agricultural Development (BCAD) will serve as the program's ground partner. The BCAD will be responsible for:
- Validating farmers and fisherfolk
- Gathering essential data
- Coordinating at the barangay level
- Providing community-based support, especially to those with limited digital access
In a cost-effective move, Militar revealed that the city government will not need to spend millions of pesos on software development. The Butuan City Government has expressed willingness to share the source code of its AgriBOOST application, subject to proper coordination and agreement between the two local government units.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte has expressed strong support for the proposal and has directed that the program be fast-tracked, citing its potential to improve food security and uplift the agricultural sector. Militar moved for his privilege speech to be considered as first reading and referred to the Committee on Information Technology for further deliberation. If approved, the ordinance would be considered a landmark measure and one of the few authored by Militar.
