By Christian Alllister G. Tubadeza

 

From traditional farming to precision agriculture

 

PEÑARRUBIA, Abra, Philippines  — For decades, mango farmer and entrepreneur Arnel Valera relied on conventional methods to manage his sprawling mango plantation in Abra.

With over 3,000 mango trees spread across 20 hectares of land, spraying fertilizers and crop protection products was a labor-intensive task that required significant time, manpower, and resources.

The challenge takes flight

Through the Department of Science and Technology Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (DOST-CEST) Program, Valera recently received an XAG P150 Pro agricultural drone worth P1.780 million, providing a modern solution to improve productivity, precision and efficiency in his mango farm.

The intervention also includes free drone operation training, assistance in securing the necessary license to operate, and drone registration, ensuring that the technology can be used safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

As the owner of AVV Food Products, a local enterprise known for its dried mango products, the quality of his processed products depends heavily on the condition of the mangoes harvested from his farm. However, managing thousands of trees using traditional spraying methods often meant higher labor costs and longer working hours.

For Valera, the drone’s precision application capability also allows inputs such as insecticides and fertilizers to be used more efficiently, reducing wastage while ensuring that each tree receives the necessary treatment.

“Mas mapadaras ti panag spray mi ken makatipid ti labor, makasave ti time ken mapabassit ti input ti insecticide kada fertilizer ta mas accurate pannakai-apply na daytoy drone. Dakkel nga value daytoy isu nga dakkel ti tulong ti DOST ta awan ti interest daytoy mabayadan babaen ti CEST,” he said.

(It expedites the process of spraying and saves me labor costs and time. It will also lessen my input of insecticide and fertilizers since the drone is accurate in applying such. This is a great value so I thank the DOST because I will not be paying for any interest through CEST.)

Using advance transmission system, the drone can automatically map out its flight path to the locations where the spraying of insecticide and fertilizers is needed.

By automating a task that traditionally requires several workers and many hours in the field, the drone offers a practical solution to modern agricultural challenges.

DOST-Abra Science Research Specialist Rose Crizzle Cabangbang explained that the assistance provided to AVV Food Products reflects the agency’s commitment to supporting local enterprises through science and technology interventions.

“Enterprises here in Abra, most especially ‘yong mga enterprises who engage in food processing, sila ang puwedeng mabigyan ng equipment or machineries through CEST. Basta kumpleto sila sa permits and business registration, we will assist them,” she said.

Cabangbang emphasized that the CEST Program is designed to help qualified micro, small, and medium enterprises improve their operations by providing access to appropriate technologies and equipment. Through these interventions, DOST aims to strengthen local industries, enhance productivity, and create more economic opportunities within communities.

Through the support of the DOST CEST Program, a local mango grower and food processor is embracing precision agriculture, proving that modern technology can help rural enterprises flourish while cultivating a more productive and sustainable future for Abra’s agricultural sector. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)