Establishment of Web-enabled Food Security Information Management System in BIMP-EAGA: A Bilateral Proposal of the Philippines with Indonesia

Transcription

1 Establishment of Web-enabled Food Security Information Management System in BIMP-EAGA: A Bilateral Proposal of the Philippines with Indonesia Elmer R. Esplana 1 elmer.esplana@gmail.com Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Department of Agriculture (DA) Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines ABSTRACT This study focuses on the development of a project on the establishment of a web-enabled Food Security Information Management System (FSIMS) in Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). The project proposal was presented at the 9 th BIMP-EAGA Natural Resource Development (NRD) Cluster Meeting in April 2011 in Brunei Darussalam with the intention of developing a web-enabled FSIMS for the fourmember countries of BIMP-EAGA. It was approved in the Working Group and Cluster meeting by the four member countries. But later, during the same year the Agro-industry and Fisheries Cooperation Working Group core members suggested a piloting the project between the Philippines and the Indonesia. A bilateral proposal was submitted to Indonesia for their comments at the 10 th BIMP-EAGA NRD Cluster Meeting last May 2012 in Balikpapan City, Indonesia and as part of the update of the initially presented concept paper in Brunei. The proposal was accepted in principle by Indonesian representatives in the meeting but with further comments to be submitted from the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, as their official counter proposal/comments for the bilateral proposal. In February 2012, the Phase 1 bilateral proposal of the project was submitted to the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund with the support of Mindanao Development Authority Philippine -EAGA Secretariat. In August 2012, a notice of interest for funding the said proposal was submitted to the Department of Agriculture by the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN through the proponent with some improvement to be prepared for re-submission. In this study, the researcher discusses developments of this BIMP-EAGA system and the challenges of initially implementing the project for both the Philippines and Indonesia, as part of the contribution of this sub-regional initiative to the ASEAN. Based on the analysis, some related indicators on food security on the regional level should be strengthened, particularly on tracking the beginning stock based on establishments, sources of food security information and related indicators, as part of the indicators to be monitored, as integral part of the food security information management system. The paper provides recommendations on how to fast-track the pilot implementation of the project in the Philippines and Indonesia, given the initial discussion and communications with each other on the proposed bilateral project on food security information management system. KEYWORDS: Food Security, Information Management System, web-enabled, bilateral, BIMP-EAGA, ASEAN, Philippines, Indonesia, NRD Cluster, Phase 1 1 Agriculturist II, Marketing Development Division of BAI, Project Coordinator of Japan 2KR Livestock Oksyon Market (LOM) Rehabilitation and Modernization Project in the Philippines and Secretariat Coordinator, National Price and Volume Watch, Bureau of Animal Industry, Department of Agriculture. Presented at the Philippine Statistical Association Annual Conference, Apo View Hotel, Davao City, Philippines, August 17,

2 INTRODUCTION In March 2011, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) organized the BIMP- EAGA Action planning workshop on Food Basket for the ASEAN and the rest of Asia and Harmonization Workshop on Seaweed Good Aquaculture Practices. The meeting suggested crafting a concept proposal for the establishment of a web-enabled food security information management system for the BIMP-EAGA. The concept proposal was prepared for presentation to the 9 th BIMP-EAGA Natural Resource Development Cluster and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Cluster Convergence Meeting which was held in Brunei Darussalam in April In the Agro-industry Working Group meeting (April 12, 2011) of the NRD Cluster, the concept proposal with the title Establishment of Web-enabled Food Security Information Management System in BIMP-EAGA: A Concept Proposal was presented to the delegates of the four-member countries. The proposal was approved by the delegates from the BIMP in the AI-WG with some comments for improving the content of the proposal. In the Philippine-EAGA NRD and SMED Cluster meeting in Davao City in June 2011, the core member of the P-EAGA Cluster suggested that instead of doing the full blown proposal for implementation to the four-member countries, it would be better to make a bilateral proposal with Indonesia, as a pilot implementation of the proposed BIMP-EAGA system. This study focuses on the development of the project on the establishment of web-enabled Food Security Information Management System (FSIMS) in Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The study aims to document the development of a project on the establishment of a webenabled Food Security Information Management System (FSIMS) in Brunei-Indonesia- Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Specifically, the study: 1. Discusses the evolution in the development of the a BIMP-EAGA food security information management system; 2. Describes the content of the proposal related to food security information management system; 3. Identifies issues in the development stage of the proposal toward its pilot implementation; 4. Provides update on the latest development and the challenges in the further revision of the proposal; and 5. Gives recommendation on how to improve the proposal. 2

3 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Benchmarking the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) Project The importance of strengthening regional food security has reached the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) through the development of the ASEAN Food Security Information System Project or the AFSIS. This food security information system initiative started in January The project was approved by ASEAN member states plus China, Japan and Korea in the meeting held in October 2002 in LAO PDR. The project was established in two phases. The Phase 1 duration was from 2003 to 2007 while the Phase 2 was from 2008 to The objectives of the AFSIS Project is to facilitate food security planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in ASEAN through the systematic collection, organization, management, analysis and dissemination of food security data and information system. The project is currently led and coordinated by Thailand through the Office of Agricultural Economics (AOE), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MAOC). The ASEAN Food Security Information and Training (AFSIT) Center in Thailand as a center of this project has the function as the Secretariat of the Focal Point Meeting (FPM) and also serve as the center for the training and as a hub of information on regional food security. It provides services necessary for Project activities of Member States. The project is managed in each of the member countries that include ASEAN + 3 through the country focal point. The Focal Point Meeting (FPM) which consists of representatives from Focal Point Agencies in every Member State is a body responsible for managing and assisting in carrying out the activities of the Project. The Statistics Department (SD), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan is the donor in the implementation of this project through ASEAN Trust Funds. In the Philippines, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) is the Focal Point Agency of the Department of Agriculture to the AFSIS. The AFSIS project has two main components namely human resource development and information network development. The human resource development component of the Project aims to raise the capacity of Member States through a combination of activities i.e. trainings, workshops and national seminars. These activities were planned to provide related personnel in Member States with knowledge and skills in statistics and the development of food security information system to ensure that they will be capable to implement Project s activities competently and at the same standard. In the 2nd Phase, the Project has introduced the activity for mutual technical cooperation to replace the national seminars of the 1st Phase. The objective is to share the knowledge and views among ASEAN Member States through the organization of training courses and technical visits. Under this activity, the more advanced Member States are requested to help improve the capacity of the others as necessary for the implementation of Project s activities. Under the information network development, the development of regional food security information network, including the database were included in the plan so that concerned organizations in Member States can disseminate and acquire food security related data required for policy planning and implementation. The project also planned to provide Member States and the Project management unit with the sets of computer hardware with 3

4 printers and necessary application softwares, including annual operating costs to develop information networks at national and regional levels. In the 2nd Phase, the Project emphasizes on the enrichment of database and data analysis. The development of Early Warning Information and Commodity Outlook was included to monitor and analyze food security situation in the region. In addition, the Project plans to provide a number of network equipment to some Member States as considered necessary for Project implementation. The activities in AFSIS include the development of database for the five commodities namely rice, maize, cassava, sugarcane and soybean. Some of the indicators included and being monitored using this database are planted and harvested area, production, yield, wholesale price and farmgate price, gross domestic product, stock, labor, import & export, population and consumption. Under the network development, there is a regional network system with the AFSIS website which could be found using the URL: This contains information about the AFSIS project, the focal point, the database and other information related to the project cut across different members of AFSIS project. The development of AFSIS became the inspiration for the development of BIMP-EAGA system on food security and serves as the model in the development of this project to complement the regional initiative in ASEAN. METHODOLOGY The study used triangulation method. It employed the combination of descriptive analysis, situational analysis, literature and document review and personal interview in the development of this study. The sources of information for Indonesia was provided by the partners from Indonesia while for the Philippines from the available materials both printed and online publications, personal interview, meetings, and communications. The primary data was taken from the personal interviews, discussions and agreements in the different meetings on BIMP-EAGA both in the Philippines and outside the country, in general, and particularly, for the Philippines and Indonesia. The input of the potential project funder via communications was incorporated such as the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund Management Team, the ASEAN Secretariat, Japan Mission, and Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN was also included as part of the update of the bilateral project proposal of the Philippines with Indonesia. DISCUSSIONS AND RESULTS OF THE STUDY Proponent of the Project The proponent organization is the Philippine Department of Agriculture through the initiative of the Bureau of Animal Industry and Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Marina Affairs and Fisheries in Indonesia. 4

5 The Specific Problem to Directly Address by the Project In the current global situation, food security for every country is very important for the people who are living in each country be it grains (mostly rice, corn, soybean), meat and fisheries products and high value crops particularly fruits and vegetables. According BIMP- EAGA s Food Basket Framework, food security exists when all people at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. According to BIMP-EAGA Roadmap to Development (2006 to 2010), it is noted that there are current limitations on consolidating sub-regional-level socio-economic statistics on BIMP-EAGA. This however is part of the priority programs for sub-region and will help validate the feasibility and monitor progress towards achieving EAGA s development targets. The BIMP-EAGA initiative has the goal to narrow the development gap across and within EAGA member countries as well as across the ASEAN countries. Its objectives include: 1) to increase trade, 2) to increase tourism, and 3) to increase investments. There are four strategic pillars in the BIMP-EAGA initiative which include: 1) Connectivity Pillar, 2) Food Basket Pillar, 3) Tourism Pillar, 4) Environment Pillar (Please see Figure 1). Under the Food Basket Pillar, the strategy was conceived to optimize the richness of the biodiversity of the sub-region s marine and terrestrial resources in contributing to its goal of narrowing the development gap and alleviating poverty. The food basket framework is envisioned to serve as the overarching framework for the BIMP-EAGA in promoting long-term food security and positioning the region to become the food basket of the ASEAN and the rest of Asia. The goal of the food basket pillar is to achieve a sustainable development and economic integration of the agro industries and fisheries sectors to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods of the people and poverty alleviation in the BIMP-EAGA. The food basket pillar has three objectives which include: 1) long term food security, 2) export development, 3) sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities. Figure 1. Goals, Objectives and Strategic Pillars of the BIMP-EAGA Source: BIMP-EAGA, 10 th NRD Cluster Meeting 5

6 It is observable that there is existing website ( for the BIMP-EAGA through the BIMP Facilitation Center (Malaysia) which provides the basic information for the EAGA initiative. There is also an existing ASEAN Food Security Information System website ( led and coordinated by Thailand, but there is no available web portal which focuses mainly on the food security information management system of the BIMP-EAGA which are integrated to cover the BIMP-EAGA Strategic thrusts towards the full maximization of the sub-region s competitive edge with the four core pillars such as: (1) establishing BIMP-EAGA as the food basket for ASEAN and the rest of Asia; (2) promoting BIMP-EAGA as tourism destination; 3) enhancing connectivity; and 4) ensuring sustainable management of environment concerns of the BIMP-EAGA. This proposed project will be able to contribute in addressing the gaps of integrating the strategic thrusts and directly supporting the promotion of the food basket pillar and complementing the other pillars for the BIMP- EAGA further development in the 21 st century. This proposed project is an extensive demonstration of strong collaboration and partnership between each country and their relevant stakeholders. The Philippines through the Department of Agriculture-Office of Undersecretary for Field Operations, initiated and spearheaded by the leadership of the Bureau of Animal Industry, is proposing to spearhead and coordinate in the implementation of this project. The project is proposing to do it phase by phase. The Phase 1 is the development of this web-enabled food security information management system in collaboration with Indonesia. The Phase 2 will be the inclusion of the two other EAGA member countries (Brunei and Malaysia) as part of the BIMP-EAGA system, after it has been piloted by the bilateral partnership of the Philippines and Indonesia. Main Objective The main objective of this proposed project is the development of a web-enabled integrated food security information management system via the development of a BIMP-EAGA web portal which addresses problems and gaps in the online publications, that support the agroindustry and fisheries sectors, sustainable livelihood of farmers and fisherfolks, investment and export development of Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area covered areas in order to achieve the long-term food security, sustained socio-economic development and positioning the region to become the food basket of the ASEAN and rest of Asia. Specific Objectives The specific objectives of the project include: 1) to enhance the collaboration, participation and partnership of Philippines and Indonesia and later all BIMP-EAGA member countries in strengthening the collection, analysis and dissemination of food security related information; 2) to support in promoting the Philippines and Indonesia, and later the two other BIMP- EAGA member countries, as the food basket for the ASEAN and the rest of Asia, and the BIMP-EAGA, as premier tourism (agro-tourism, eco-tourism, etc.) destination via online promotion; 3) to develop the needed web-enabled database system requirements that would enhance the connectivity, coordination and collaboration of Philippines and Indonesia and all BIMP-EAGA member countries and relevant partner institutions; 4) to support in equipping 6

7 and empowering each member country representatives and project implementors in contributing in the web portal, the food security related information, the individual country s food security related activities, projects and programs through capability-building (IT-related technical trainings, series of seminar-workshops, and relevant meetings, etc.); 5) to provide an integrative food security situation and outlook report for the Philippines and Indonesia, and later on all the BIMP-EAGA member countries, through a customized and stand-alone early warning mechanism, forecasting methodologies, and business/agribusiness/industry analysis which supports in addressing the food security issues, more investment and export opportunities in BIMP-EAGA areas, to attain the long-term food security, investment and export development in the sub-region; 6) to document and disseminate best practices in the BIMP-EAGA initiative; and 7) to provide a mechanism for the monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and promotion for the BIMP-EAGA system. Focus Areas in the Philippines and Indonesia for the BIMP-EAGA There are 42 total provinces for the territory covered by Philippines and Indonesia with total land area of 1.38 million sq. km. These territories had a total of million people. Total population based on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing for the Philippines was posted at 22.3 million while 37.3 million based on the 2010 Census of Population for Indonesia. The Philippines has a population density of 146 persons per sq. km. while for Indonesia only 30 per sq. km. Table 1. No. of Provinces, Land Area, Population and Population Density for the Philippines and Indonesia covered territories for the East-ASEAN Growth Area EAGA Member Country No. of Provinces Land Area (Sq. Km) Population Population Density per Sq. Km. Philippines , ,962, Indonesia 14 1,227, ,325, Total of Philippine-Indonesia 42 1,384, ,287, Source of Basic Data: National Statistics Office, National Statistical Coordination Board for the Philippines and CBS, Statistics, Indonesia, 2010 and Wikipedia.com Scope of Phase 1 for the focus areas in terms of regions and provinces in the Philippines and Indonesia For the Phase 1, the Philippines covered Regions and provinces include all Regions in Mindanao such as Zamboanga Peninsula (5 provinces), Northern Mindanao (5 provinces), Davao Region (4 provinces), Soccsksargen (4 provinces), Caraga (5 provinces) and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (6 provinces) and the province of Palawan. Below are the name of provinces and cities covered in the Philippines under the EAGA sub-region. 7

8 Table 2. Provinces and Cities covered with population, land area and population density within the Philippines under the EAGA Sub-region Provinces & Cities covered within the Philippines under the EAGA Population Land Area (Sq. Km.) Population Density per Sq. Km. MIMAROPA Palawan 771,667 17, Puerto Princesa City 222,673 2, Zamboanga Peninsula 3,407,353 18, Zamboanga del Norte 957,997 7, Zamboanga del Sur 959,685 5, Zamboanga Sibugay 584,685 3, City of Isabela 97, Zamboanga City 807,129 1, Northern Mindanao 4,297,323 21, Bukidnon 1,299,192 10, Camiguin 83, Lanao del Norte 607,917 4, Misamis Occidental 567,642 2, Misamis Oriental 813,856 3, Cagayan de Oro City 602, ,231.6 Iligan City 322, Davao Region 4,468,563 22, Compostella Valley 687,195 4, Davao del Norte 945,764 3, Davao del Sur 868,690 6, Davao Oriental 517,618 5, Davao City 1,449,296 2, Soccsksargen 4,109,571 23, North Cotabato 1,226,508 9, Saranggani 498,904 3, South Cotabato 827,200 4, Sultan Kudarat 747,087 5, Cotabato City 271, ,544.2 Gen. Santos City 538, ,003.9 Caraga 2,429,224 22, Agusan del Norte 332,487 3, Agusan del Sur 656,418 9, Surigao del Norte 442,588 1, Surigao del Sur 561,219 4, Dinagat Islands 126,803 1, Butuan City 309, ARMM 3,256,140 28, Basilan (exl. Isabela City) 293,322 3, Lanao del Sur 933,260 13, Maguindanao 944,718 5, Sulu 718,290 3, Tawi-Tawi 366,550 3, Source of Basic Data: 2010, Census of Population and Housing, NSO, NSCB, PSY, 2009 and CBS, Statistics Indonesia, 2010 and Wikipedia For Indonesia, the covered regions it includes, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. For the fourteen (14) different provinces covered by Indonesia-EAGA covered area, these include: West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua and West Papua. Below are the covered population, land area and population density per sq. km. for Indonesia (Table 3). 8

9 Table 3. Provinces and Cities covered with population, land area and population density within Indonesia under the EAGA Sub-region Provinces covered within the Indonesia under the EAGA Source: CBS, Statistics Indonesia, 2010 Population Commodity Coverage for Philippines and Indonesia Land Area (Sq. Km) West Kalimantan 4,395, , Central Kalimantan 2,212, , South Kalimantan 3,626,616 38, East Kalimantan 3,553, , North Sulawesi 2,270,596 13, Central Sulawesi 2,635,009 61, South Sulawesi 8,034,776 46, Southeast Sulawesi 2,232,586 38, Gorontalo 1,040,164 11, West Sulawesi 1,158,651 16, Maluku 1,533,506 46, North Maluku 1,038,087 31, West Papua 760, , Papua 2,833,381 97, The commodity focus for the Philippines and Indonesia include the following basic commodities such for staple food, rice and corn. For plantation crops, sugar, coconut and palm oil. For meat, chicken and pork. For seafoods/fish, it includes milkfish, seaweeds and shrimp. Table 4. Proposed Ten Priority Commodities Covered for the Philippines-Indonesia web-enabled food security information management system* Proposed 10 Commodity Covered Philippines Indonesia Staple Food 1. Rice X X 2. Corn X X Plantation Crop 3. Sugar X X 4. Coconut X X 5. Oilpalm X X Meat 5. Chicken X X 7. Hogs X X Seafoods 8. Milkfish X X 9. Seaweeds X X 10. Shrimp X X * Based on initial discussion with Philippines and Indonesia Population Density (per sq. km.) Set of Data per crops/commodities & economic indicators Pattern of indicators could be use based on the AFSIS method but the difference of this EAGA system is the breakdown of regions, provinces/cities for the different indicators and 9

10 set of data which the project will be generating and integrating for both the Philippines and Indonesia in the process of implementing the project. The national agricultural statistics information will be utilized plus the complementary data gathering activities which will be set to complement those which are not yet covered by the existing data generation for the web-enabled food security information management system. The major indicators to track and monitor in the BIMP-EAGA system are presented below in Table 5. The other underlying sets of data in relation to these major food security indicators will be also tracked that include the balance sheet for each commodity, as applicable and available. Table 5. Major Food Security Related Indicators to be Monitored/Tracked Nine Major Food Security related Indicators to be Monitored/Tracked 1. Supply 2. Beginning Stock 3. Production 4. Import 5. Demand 6. Export 7. Ending stock 8. Ratio of production to domestic utilization (%) or the self -sufficiency ratio 9. Ratio of beginning stock to domestic utilization (%) or the food security ratio Aside from the major food security related indicators, there are also other indicators and information which will be collected from the covered EAGA areas for the Philippines and Indonesia (Please see below in Table 6). Table 6. Other Production-related information and Value-added Agribusiness and Economics Information A. Other Production-related information Planted Area Harvested area Yield Cause and damage area B. Value-added Agribusiness and Economics Information Agribusiness marketing and economics-related information Farmgate price Wholesale price Retail price FOB price Labor and employment indicators Population Consumption Regional GDP GDP Selected commodity supply-value chain analysis/data/information Other information as per recommendations in the focal point meetings There will also a separate web-based profile establishment directory database information system that will be developed to cover the agribusiness establishments that is related to the 10 10

11 different commodities using agribusiness approach framework to support the improvement of the supply chain management of these commodities in the member countries (Please see Table 7). Table 7. Agribusiness Establishments based-related information Agribusiness establishments based-related information (Online Profile Establishment Directory Database System) Major agriculture and fisheries companies in each country Feedmilling plants Rice milling/processing centers/plants Cold storages Animal health and veterinary drug laboratories Breeder farms for hog and chicken Slaughterhouses Livestock markets Fish canning plants Dressing plants Meat Processing plants Agricultural Training Center/Establishments Major Cooperatives in the country Major Agriculture and Fisheries Associations/NGOs in the country Government, Development and Cooperative Banks and other banking institutions Research and Educational Institutions Tourism Sites/Establishments in the country Airline companies Shipping, cargo and logistics companies Tourism Sites/Establishments in the country Other establishments, as may be included based on the discussions that will be agreed upon in the Focal Point Meetings Weaknesses in the current data generation for the Philippines and Indonesia based on the major food security indicators Depending on the availability of the needed information to come out into the food security ratio and self-sufficiency ratio, some of the problem in the generation of food security related indicators are the data on beginning stock and the availability of export and import data for the different regions and provinces covered in the EAGA area of Philippines and Indonesia. In the national level, this data are available in major commodities but in the regional and provincial level, it is not readily available unless the necessary data generation mechanism would be put in place which is part of the support activities to be established, complemented and coordinated by this project on top of the existing data gathering activities of the member countries. It is also noticeable that there are some regional areas or even provinces that have no direct export and import transaction that is happening, but there are products which are being consumed in those areas that are either products intended for export or import by the 11

12 covered areas involved. There should also be some mechanisms that have to be incorporated in the BIMP-EAGA system to find-out how to address the similar concerns, as applicable and doable. In the Philippine setting, the generation of regional beginning stock is already been done through the existing system developed in the case of tracking pork and chicken frozen inventory in the national scale and regional level which is being conducted by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). This is a product of the activities set in the National Meat Price and Volume Watch meetings of the Bureau of Animal Industry under the livestock sector. The monitoring of frozen pork and chicken are done on an establishment based monitoring at least one per week, particularly every Friday and being disseminated every Monday of the week. This system could be used as a model in tracking the beginning stock of the different commodities for the BIMP-EAGA Food Security Information Management System. As this will be one of the major concerns in tracking food security ratio, the project will be allocating supplementary data generation funds for the different commodities which will be needing the complementary support to regularly track this indicator, as part of the BIMP- EAGA system. The tracking the beginning stock at the regional and provincial level for the rice and corn needs will also be incorporated, as part of the major activities of this project, as these two commodities are stable food. In the national level, it is easier to track the beginning stock for rice and corn but at the regional and provincial level a tracking mechanism should be put in place to capture the beginning stocks which is a useful indicator, if the sustained regional and provincial level food security have to be regularly analyzed as part of the food security and early warning mechanism. Effective way of tracking the beginning stock in the different commodities identified should be one complementary support activities to be addressed by this project. Table 8 shows of the comparative availability of data for the 10 commodities identified as priority under the BIMP-EAGA system for the Philippines. All the ten commodities, rice, corn/maize, sugarcane, coconut, milkfish, shrimp, etc, have the yearly, regional/provincial disaggregation. If the standard disaggregation would be the regional up to the provincial level, the four commodities such as coconut, pork, chicken and seaweeds data would be included as commodities which needed to be strengthened in terms of generating provincial data for the Philippines. 12

13 Table 8. Comparative Availability of Data for the Ten Commodities based on National Agricultural Statistical System of the Philippines Commodity Production Planted Damage Harvested Data Area Area Area Yield Frequency National Regional/Provincial Staple food 1. Rice X X X X X Quarterly, Semi-Annually, Yearly X X 2. Corn/Maize X X X X X Quarterly, Semi-Annually, Yearly X X Plantation Crop 3. Sugarcane X X X X X Yearly X X 4. Coconut X X NA X NA Yearly X X 5. Palm Oil X X X X NA Yearly X X Meat 6. Chicken (broiler, native, layer) X NA NA NA NA Quarterly, Semi-Annually, Yearly X X 7. Pork X NA NA NA NA Quarterly, Semi-Annually, Yearly X X Seafood/Fish 8. Milkfish X NA NA NA NA Quarterly, Semi-Annually, Yearly X X 9. Seaweeds X NA NA NA NA Yearly X X 10. Shrimp (different types) X NA NA NA NA Quarterly, Semi-Annually, Yearly X X Source of Data: DA-BAS, DA-BFAR NA-Not available/not applicable Table 9 shows that comparative availability of data for the ten commodities on the national agricultural statistical system of Indonesia. The ten commodities have the regional/provincial disaggregation which include rice, corn/maize, sugar, palm oil, milkfish, seaweeds, shrimps, etc., although, the generation of these data are released three times per year (sub round) instead of quarterly. Standard releases of the data should be set by the two countries for the ten commodities, as the project would like to relate the harmonization of the releases of report schedule with the AFSIS report, as applicable. Table 9. Comparative Availability of Data for the Ten Commodities based on National Agricultural Statistical System of Indonesia Commodity Production Data Planted Area Damage Area Harvested Area Yield Frequency National Regional/Provincial Staple food 1. Rice X X X X X Sub round, Yearly X X 2. Corn/Maize X X X X X Sub round, Yearly X X Plantation Crop 3. Sugarcane/Sugar X X NA X *) X Yearly X X 4. Coconut X X NA X *) X Yearly X X 5. Palm Oil X X NA X *) X Yearly X X Meat 6. Chicken (broiler, native, layer) X NA NA NA NA Yearly X X 7. Pork X NA NA NA NA Yearly X X Seafood/Fish 8. Milkfish X NA NA NA NA Yearly X X 9. Seaweeds X NA NA NA NA Yearly X X 10. Shrimp (different types) X NA NA NA NA Yearly X X Note : Sub round (Four-Month) *) Productive crops Source of Data: MOA-CADIS, Indonesia provided by Mr. Dewa Cakrabawa NA-Not available/not applicable 13

14 Integration of the Philippines and Indonesia food security related information for Phase 1 The integration of the Philippines and Indonesian food security related information include the following activities: (Table 10) Table 10. Major Activities in the development of an integrated BIMP-EAGA system for the Philippines and Indonesia Potential Activity Description of the Activity Stakeholders Involved 1. System Preparation of the system development (webbased UP-ITTC, SRTC, development databases, hardware requirements and Oracle Philippines, (database), training needs of the project Microsoft hardware Phillippines, Dell components and Philippines and other trainings software and hardware suppliers and other relevant partner institutions 2. Specialized Philippines and Web portal for Phase 1 3. BIMP-EAGA System harmonization and Linkages with the AFSIS A specialized web portal initially for the bilateral partnership of Philippines and Indonesia will be developed as an output of Phase 1. These could be integrated as part of the system development activities of the project in the implementation phase. BIMP-EAGA system in Phase 1 could already be harmonized and linked with existing ASEAN food security databases (AFSIS). Harmonization could be done, although differences and similarities of strategies will still be noticeable in the process, as distinctive difference of BIMP-EAGA system business model. The periodic collection and updating of information on supply and demand/utilization of main food commodities i.e. rice, corn and other identified commodities and related food security information have to agreed upon in details in the actual implementation between the Philippines and Indonesia given the ten (10) priority commodities as identified in Table 4. (e.g. quarterly, semi-annually, yearly, to name some). The baseline data for both countries will be collected based on the individual existing national statistical system capabilities and availability of related data of each country s Indonesia and Focal Points, and web content team and maintenance staffmembers of each country and web portal developer, and relevant partner institutions Philippines and Indonesia and Focal Points, and web content team and maintenance staffmembers of each country and web portal developer, and relevant institutions partner 14

15 4. Production of Higher level Agribusiness Information Products and Services selling online for Sustainability Mechanism of the project 5. Accession to the BIMP- EAGA online system agricultural statistics data system and the necessary adjustment of the complementary support funding will be provided by the project depending on the existing data system of each commodity and their usability in the BIMP- EAGA system. The information which the BIMP-EAGA system that could be collected, will be analyzed and packaged into information and could be posted online from time to time based on the calendar of the released of the information to be set in the Focal Point Meetings by the cluster representative of each country. The information products produced by the BIMP-EAGA system could be offered online to targets clients that include the government of EAGA and ASEAN member countries, private sector, and other interested parties in two types such: 1) as those data/information which will be availed online for free and 2) those data/information that could be availed on pay per view or downloadable information for sale similar the application (apps) for sale which are normally being posted or sold in Apple Online Store. A related or similar mechanism will be set to handle this kind of online selling activities for the project, as it develops. The type of information category which will be sold online are those information that will be of high relevance to agribusiness sector of each country and the other clients of the BIMP-EAGA system. Those data and information that are regularly being collected by the system will be regularly analyzed and disseminated in online, and partly in printed publication for the different clients and information needs or requests. Information that are general information in nature could be offered for free online dissemination while those information which are specific and required a more detailed analysis and highly specialized data/information for the different priority commodities and industries covered by the BIMP-EAGA system will be subjected to pay per view or the online membership for the information users. There will also be the community online members who will be authorized to access the information which are privileged to be given to the member countries authorized Philippines and Indonesia and Focal Points, and web content team and maintenance staffmembers of each country and web portal developer, and relevant institutions partner Philippines and Indonesia and Focal Points, and web content team and 15

16 6. Harnessing Coordination and Collaboration 7. Organizing representative/s from each country 8. Food Security and Value-added Agribusiness Information Accessibility and Investment Opportunities agency/institution representatives under this system. Information related to IT security mechanism on transaction information will also be set for the system and will be part of system development component. The project will definitely further harness, the coordination and the collaboration between the Philippines and Indonesia and with other member countries of BIMP-EAGA that include Malaysia and Brunei. One venue for the harnessing of coordination and collaboration between the member countries would be the Focal Point Meetings which will be set for the project, similar to the best practices which could be benchmarked from the AFSIS. The representatives for both countries will be organized in order for each country to provide a sustained collection, analysis, updating of information, dissemination of information and therefore contributing for the attainment of this project s objectives (Please see the objectives of the setting-up the BIMP-EAGA system). There will be a similar Focal Point Meeting (FPM) and focal person that will represents the country members in the different meetings during the implementation of the project. Commodities could be clustered as identified in Table 4 to represent each for the agriculture and fisheries commodity such as: 1) Staple food, 2) Plantation crop, 3) Meat, 4) Seafood/Fish, etc. Additional categories could also be clustered later depending on the need to expand. The parallel scheme in conducting the FPM meetings and its functions in AFSIS could be used as a benchmark in organizing the representative/s and focal point persons in the implementation of the project, though each country could have at least a minimum of four cluster representatives that will handle the four clustered commodities. The agriculture and fisheries stakeholders in the Philippines and Indonesia will be benefitted with the information that will be made available and accessible via web portal which will be developed by this project. Printed publications on relevant BIMP-EAGA standards and guidelines, and related BIMP-EAGA policies could also be done, depending on the discussion maintenance staffmembers of each country and web portal developer and relevant partner institutions Philippines and Indonesia and Focal Points, and web content team and maintenance staffmembers of each country and web portal developer, and relevant partners institutions Philippines and Indonesia and Focal Points, and web content team and maintenance staffmembers of each country and web portal developer, and relevant partner institutions Philippines and Indonesia and Focal Points, and web content team and maintenance staffmembers of each country and web portal developer, and 16

17 in the Focal Point Meetings. The agriculture and fisheries situation and outlook report maiden issue will be serve as one of the major output in Phase 1 which could be done in second year (Y2) of implementing the project after the necessary mechanism have been done to address the limitation and weaknesses in the data generation in the ten (10) commodities for both countries, as applicable. The different discussions of the strategies and the appropriate action plan which could be done to handle this concern will be more of the activities during the first year (Y1) of implementing the project. Later, when Malaysia and Brunei have integrated in Phase 2, they could also share the same benefits which could be provided by this BIMP-EAGA system for the integrated online and printed publication on agriculture and fisheries situation and outlook report. It is expected that commodity situation and outlook report will further support agribusiness development of agriculture and fishery products, the agribusiness sector, corporate and government planners in the EAGA sub-region. This is expected to generate more online users and potential investment from different sources which could be developed in the two countries. It is brought about by the easier accessibility to food security and agribusiness related information via the BIMP-EAGA system web portal. Production of value-added information to the web portal for some of the agribusiness and economics information will be done such as farmgate price, wholesale price, retail price, labor and employment indicators, population, regional gross domestic product, and the country s GDP, to name some. The information to be produced will serve as a complementary online support with that of the existing AFSIS. The framework in the situation and outlook report for each commodity will be patterned from the AFSIS model, although some innovation in the content could also be employed, as value-added information of the BIMP-EAGA system. These include information of the commodity related to the commodity value chain analysis, cut across the different sub-system of the agribusiness chain relevant institutions partner 17

18 from input supply, production, processing, marketing and consumption. Best practices documentation of food security projects and program in the BIMP-EAGA will be included as part of the output for dissemination to the key industry agribusiness stakeholders. Regional Impacts of the Project The regional impacts of this proposed project include the following: 1) it will harness of collaboration, coordination and partnership of four countries in providing and disseminating food security related information; 2) it will serve as a tool in sharing the best practices of each country in food security information, tourism and the implementation of food security interventions; 3) it will support in achieving the sustainable development and economic integration of the agro-industries and fisheries sector in the Philippines and Indonesia and the two other BIMP-EAGA member countries or the Food Basket Pillar Framework of BIMP- EAGA; and 4) it will encourage more private investments and public-private sector partnerships and bilateral/multilateral investments in the Philippines and Indonesia and the two other BIMP-EAGA countries through the information that will be disseminated which will create an impact on reducing the issue of information asymmetry among each country. In a larger scale, the BIMP-EAGA system project will be useful not only to the four-member countries agriculture and fisheries and agribusiness stakeholders, but other county investors, as well. Linkages with ASEAN Initiatives The establishment of a portal for the integrated Philippines and Indonesia and all BIMP- EAGA members countries after two years of implementation will enhance the food security information management system of these countries. The portal will be linked with the BIMP- EAGA website ( and ASEAN ( AFSIS website ( and other related website of each country (e.g. agency websites) to attract more online community clients and stakeholders that include farmers and fisherfolks, agribusiness entrepreneurs and companies cut across the supply chain, researchers, academe, policy makers, program implementers of the four countries and other interested online clients. Linkages with National Plans This proposed project is supporting the existing programs and policies of each country on food security because this is just a follow through and re-enforcing activities for this project, initially for the partnership of the Philippines and Indonesia, taking into account the earlier initiative that each country have been participating through the ASEAN Food Security Information System. 18

19 Linkages with other sub-regional programs The proposed project will encompass all agro-industry and fisheries sector programs and projects, initiatives and interventions in EAGA member countries that include: commodity research and development projects, commodity production interventions, agribusiness marketing program, strategic plan development, product development, food safety and specific commodity quality standard setting, supply chain management, socio-economic and agribusiness research, to name some. Depending on the agreement that will be discussed in the Focal Point Meeting, the specific linkages with other subregional programs will be determined based by the cluster representatives from the Philippines and Indonesia for the Phase 1 and the rest of the four-member countries in Phase 2. Eight Component Activities and Target Output of the Project The project has eight components namely: 1) Capability-building; 2) Development of web portal and web-enabled database systems related to food security of Philippines and Indonesia and all BIMP-EAGA later; 3) Exchange and provision of food security related information; 4) Integrative food security situation and outlook report, initially for the Philippines and Indonesia and the other BIMP-EAGA member countries publications; 5) Network and collaborative partnership and strategic alliances with institutions and other stakeholders between the Philippines and Indonesia and later Malaysia and Brunei in collecting, generating and integrating food security related information cut across relevant agro-industry and fisheries products/commodities that would reduce information asymmetry and the achievement of sustained food security conditions of four countries; 6) Promotion of BIMP-EAGA Strategic Thrusts; 7) Best practices documentation in the Philippines and Indonesia and all BIMP-EAGA member countries on food security interventions cut across relevant agriculture and fisheries commodities in the agribusiness supply chain; and 8) Project monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and promotion. The description and expected output of each component is presented in Table 11. Table 11. Description and Expected Output of the Different Project Components Component Description Expected Output Capability-building Covers the different training, IT training; workshop, meetings and Statistical and Research other related capabilitybuilding Training; and activities Specialized technical training Hiring of subject matter experts/consultants related to the project and related human resource outsourcing activities Development of web portal, web-enabled database systems and maintenance Covers the development of web portal, database systems and other ICT infrastructure-support mechanism of the project needed by the project. BIMP-EAGA Food Security Web Portal; BIMP-EAGA Integrated Webenabled Food Security Information Management Database System; BIMP-EAGA Web-enabled 19

20 Exchange and provision of food security related information Network and collaborative partnership and strategic alliances with institutions Promotion of BIMP- EAGA Strategic Thrusts Covers submission, posting, analysis, packaging, and dissemination of food security related information Covers the coordination and collaborative partnership and strategic alliances development of the project Covers the online promotion of food basket activities, tourism/agrotourism/ecotourism, connectivity and Profile and Directory of Establishments Database System; and Hiring the ICT-related staffmembers that would be participating in the production/ maintenance of the different systems to be developed. Monitoring of Food Security related Indicators; Complementary/supplementary production of food security related information, as an intervention project related to the BIMP-EAGA system; Production or collation of economics and agribusiness information; Production or collation of Other-production related information; Production of Agribusiness establishments profile and directory information; and Regular maintenance and updating of all information being produced/generated and collated/summarized data/information related to the project. Development of collaborative partnership and strategic alliances with institutions with corresponding Memorandum of Agreement and other related legal partnership/collaborative instruments; and Development of policy instruments necessary in building partnership and alliances with institutions in different levels such as local, sub-regional/regional supranational networking arrangements. Development of content management system for the promotion BIMP-EAGA strategic thrusts, particularly on the following areas: Food 20