To enhance data management and visualization capabilities among information technology officers, the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) National Program Management Office (NPMO) conducted a comprehensive training on Microsoft Power Business Intelligence (BI) and Pentaho from March 31 to April 4, 2025. The initiative aligns with the DA’s push for Agriculture 4.0, aiming to modernize the sector through digital transformation.
The SAAD Program Director Ulysses J. Lustria Jr. opened the event courtesy of a video message, expressing his hope that the activity will help information officers improve data cleaning and report generation.
In his message, he highlighted the importance of accurate and well-presented data in guiding SAAD’s implementation and decision-making. With tools like Power BI, he encouraged participants to turn raw data into insights that can enhance the program’s delivery and impact.
Enhancing Data Quality and Standardization
Emphasizing its critical role in agricultural modernization under Section 41 of Republic Act No. 8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997), experts from the DA Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS), including Emmanuel Bautista and Bryan Avelino, led discussions on data standardization – ensuring consistent formats and values for better communication, data cleansing, and integration across multiple sources. The session also tackled common data quality issues such as duplicate records, incomplete entries, and inconsistent formatting.
Mastering Microsoft Power BI for Agricultural Insights
Participants explored Microsoft Power BI, a powerful tool for interactive data visualization and analysis. Resource Persons Jayson Villanueva and Michael Ace Caronite guided them through the software’s capabilities, from database fundamentals and data importation to report generation and dashboard customization. Hands-on exercises enabled attendees to create real-time visual reports, enhancing their ability to track and analyze agricultural projects effectively. The practical applications reinforced the importance of data-driven planning in ensuring that program interventions address the needs of farmers and fishers.
Regional Teams Showcase Data-Driven Outputs
Applying acquired skills through a hands-on data presentation exercise – using an SQL data file, regional teams extracted, analyzed, and visualized agricultural data relevant to their areas. Their outputs were assessed based on accuracy and relevance and clarity of visual presentation – ensuring data was meaningful and effectively communicated through charts, graphs, and infographics.
Standout presentations came from Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, MIMAROPA, Cordillera, and Caraga, demonstrating strong analytical skills and innovative approaches to problem-solving. Panelists praised all participants for their structured outputs and their ability to integrate feedback into their presentations.
NPMO Information Technology and Database Development (IDD) Head Randy Ocampo shared how important this training is for the regional and provincial IT officers.
“Training on data visualization, especially using Power BI is a big help for SAAD’s IT officers. It helps them turn raw data into clear, interactive visuals that actually tell a story. With Power BI, they can create dashboards that make it easier for decision-makers to understand what’s going on at a glance. So, it’s pretty important if they want to make the most out of their data.”
Towards a Digitally-Driven Agriculture Sector
Through this initiative, DA-SAAD reaffirms its commitment to leveraging technology to improve program implementation. By equipping its teams with advanced data visualization skills, the program takes a crucial step toward transforming agricultural data into strategic, actionable information – empowering farmers, fishers, and policymakers alike.
