By Tracy Cabrera
Smart farming adoption in PH hinges on farmer training, support
DILIMAN, Quezon City — The Philippines still has a long way to go before smart farming technologies can be widely adopted, with farmer training and technical support emerging as critical factors in the transition to modern agriculture.
Agri-tech firm Agridom Solutions said smart farming among local growers could take years to gain wider acceptance because farmers need adequate training and support to effectively use new technologies.
The Davao-based company said it is ready to help address this gap by providing precision agriculture services, including drone spraying, mapping, training and technical support to the government.
This comes as the Department of Agriculture (DA) advances efforts to introduce and expand smart farming techniques, including technologies being used in China.
“It’s a long way to go,” Agridom chief executive officer Dom Subang said during the 24th Management Association of the Philippines International CEO Conference in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
“Smart farming encompasses a broad range of technologies and practices, making farmer education critical to wider adoption,” Subang explained.
For the past couple of years, Agridom has been working with the DA on the Drones4Rice project, which has made progress but still has significant room for improvement.
The three-year initiative aims to standardize protocols for using drones to apply seeds, fertilizers and pesticides in rice production. It is being implemented by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the DA’s Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), in partnership with private companies, including Agridom.
Funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, the project could be further accelerated through closer cooperation between the government and private sector, Subang said.
“There’s progress, but we need to further expedite,” he said, adding that Agridom is willing to adjust to the government’s priorities.
Subang said drones could make farming faster, more precise and efficient by supporting fertilizer and pesticide application, crop monitoring and early detection of problems.
Smart technologies could also help reduce labor and input costs while improving farm productivity and yields.
While Drones4Rice focuses on rice production, Subang said similar technologies could be applied to other crops, including bananas, coffee and corn.
“Ultimately, smart farming is about helping farmers produce more efficiently, manage costs better, and make better decisions using technology and data,” he said.
The Marcos administration has been exploring wider adoption of agricultural technology to raise farm productivity amid climate risks, resource constraints and uneven access to modern equipment.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. recently led a Philippine delegation to Zhejiang Huihong Fruit and Vegetable Farm in China, where officials observed digital systems used for crop monitoring and farm management.
ia/xf
