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In light of the escalating consequences of climate change, particularly impacting the nation’s farming sector, numerous intelligent agricultural technologies are being implemented to assist sugarcane growers in adjusting, as stated by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Climate change has led to an estimated P463 billion in losses for the Philippines, with approximately 62.7% or P290 billion attributed to the agricultural sector due to severe weather incidents such as typhoons and extreme heat, as per a 2021 report from the United Nations World Food Programme.
Sugarcane, one of the key crops of the nation, has not been immune to the repercussions of climate change.
Information from the Sugar Regulatory Administration indicated that the country posted its lowest milled, raw, and refined sugar production in the 2022 to 2023 crop year, marking the lowest output in the last five agricultural years since 2018 to 2019, largely due to the drought brought about by El Niño.
While El Niño is not a direct result of climate change, its occurrence and severity may be influenced by it, according to a prior report from the national weather agency.
To assist farmers in managing the impacts of climate change, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. mentioned that the agency has launched several smart farming technologies on Negros Island, where approximately 60% of the country’s sugar production takes place.
“We have implemented the furrow irrigation system to optimize the use of rainfall,” Mr. Solidum shared with BusinessWorld.
“And it has been validated that it can boost sugarcane production by about 50%.”
DOST’s Automated Furrow Irrigation System was created to aid sugarcane farmers in conserving water and enhancing crop yield by ensuring irrigation is applied in exact quantities and at optimal times. This agricultural solution was initially introduced in 2022.
Meanwhile, Rowen R. Gelonga, the regional director of DOST Region VI, expressed that the agency aims to implement a smart farming solution on Negros Island that incorporates modern technologies like soil moisture sensors and geographic information systems (GIS) to aid farmers in adjusting to fluctuating weather patterns.
“One aspect of this initiative is to empower farmers to grasp climate change and weather phenomena,” Mr. Gelonga remarked to BusinessWorld.
The initiative, named Project SARAI Centro, offers a user-friendly and complimentary online application that enables sugarcane farmers to access weather forecasts and climate outlooks, along with guidance on optimal times for sowing and harvesting.
Additionally, there is a mobile app known as SPIDTECH that assists farmers in identifying, tracking, and reporting incidents of crop pests and diseases.
Mr. Gelonga mentioned that they intend to initially train local government units in the region by the year’s end, who will subsequently implement the project and empower local farmers. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
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