SMART Farm
Under SMART Farm, the agency developed digital apps including E-Damuhan, Binhing Palay, PalayCheck, MOET (Minus-One Element Technique), and LCC (Leaf Color Computing). These apps help farmers improve their production and make farming cost-effective.
PhilRice also promoted a remote sensing technology called the Philippine Rice Information System or PRiSM, which provides updates regarding rice production in the country including areas planted with rice, harvested rice, and production estimates.
It also came up with the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). From one farmer who initially tried it in Midsayap town in the province of Cotabato, AWD is now being used by about 5,293 farmers.
“The data shown here is only for Mindanao. But when you look up the information from the National Irrigation Administration, they say that almost 109,000 of the 900,000 areas they are servicing at the time of the report of their master plan or road map are already adopting it,” De Leon disclosed.
More water is saved without affecting the yield because of AWD. It also helps reduce the impact of drought in rice fields. Additionally, it allows more farmers to irrigate their fields and helps the environment by reducing methane emissions.
Palayamanan Plus is another initiative under SMART Farm. It is a rice-based production system that teaches farmers how to use diversification, intensification, and integration in farming.
This technology aims to turn small farms into agri-enterprises to provide greater income for farmers. Its latest development includes a 360 virtual tour and downloadable materials so that learning can now be done wherever the farmers are.
Aside from Palayamanan Plus, the use of agricultural drones in rice fields were highlighted. These are machines that sow seeds from the air. With just a click, the agri-drone monitors the growth of rice and its needs. This can also be used in applying fertilizers and chemicals to manage problems in the fields.