Considered as the Rice Granary of Quezon, Bukidnon, Barangay Paitan is home to a young rice farmer who is committed to using and implementing agricultural innovations and technologies to contribute to the country's goal of food security and sufficiency. At 21 years old, Peter Emmanuel Balmores Berong of Balmores Diversified Integrated Farm is introducing a modern approach to rice farming in his community by embracing cutting-edge drone technology.
"I grew up immersed in our family farm from an early age. Before we adopted new technologies, my daily activities included land preparation, sowing the fields, and helping my grandparents feed the goats and chickens. Now that we have embraced new techniques and technologies, my role has evolved. I now operate the drone, make organic fertilizer concoctions, and apply agricultural solutions across the farm. I also designed the farm layout and am currently overseeing the ongoing construction of a new project building, all while actively serving as the SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) chairman. Despite my hectic schedule, I am driven by a deep passion for farming and am working to manage everything efficiently. Peter said, sharing his daily activities on their farm.
As a third-generation farmer from Paitan, Quezon, Bukidnon, Peter has seen firsthand the challenges that traditional farming methods can pose, from labor-intensive tasks to inefficient resource management. But all that changed when Peter participated in the Training of Trainers (TOT) Farmers Field School (FFS) Production of High-quality Inbreed Seed, Seed Certification, and Farm Mechanization organized by the Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center X (ATI-RTC X).
Nowadays, farmers are increasingly turning to drone technology to optimize their agricultural operations. It is also timely that Peter was already introduced to the transformative potential of drone technology in rice production, as their family offers services for fast and efficient seed spreading and spraying of insecticide and herbicide through DJI Agricultural Drone using AGRAS T30. A drone model with an operating tank of 30 liters. It can also cover 25 hectares of rice fields for insecticide and herbicide applications.
"The drones are a huge help for farmers like us because we can save on seedlings and labor costs. Hopefully, the technology is accessible and affordable enough to encourage farmers in our community to utilize it since it can be used for a variety of tasks, including land imaging, surveying, soil monitoring, irrigation monitoring, and targeted spraying. As of the moment, we are trying to convince nga mag-adapt ang mga farmers sa atong mga bag-o nga technologies. So far, sa mga close friends and family namo nga ga-gamit or ga-adapt sa atong agricultural drone, positive kaayo ang feedback.” Peter said in the vernacular.
Peter is a licensed drone user and now regularly performs a variety of tasks using drone tech on their family farm from precision seeding and fertilizer application to crop health monitoring and pest management. He takes full advantage of their drone tech, with the supervision of his farmer parents Peter and Sonia Balmores Berong.
“When it comes to using an agricultural drone for spray and spread of farm solutions and fertilizers, every application is calculated. For example, for herbicide application, if we have 1 liter of herbicide and we need to apply it in a 1-hectare field area, rest assured that the 1-liter herbicide is precisely applied on the 1-hectare field area. The application is precise and efficient because we don’t need to step into the rice field to do the manual spraying. It is also not time-consuming if we apply insecticide since it can be done in seven minutes of flight time. Also, landowners have less maintenance in a big area since the planting, or the harvesting can be done simultaneously, all they must do is have proper irrigation and clean the rice paddies.” Peter stated further.
As the country grapples with the challenges of feeding a growing population and adapting to the impacts of climate change, Peter's story serves as a shining example of how innovation and technology can help revolutionize the rice industry.
“As a young farmer, I would use my youth to engage more often with our farmers, I would use the knowledge from the trainings I have attended to convince farmers to be adaptive to the changing times. I will also encourage or challenge them to use less input but generate more income. I am now 21 years old, and we are planning to have rice-based products soon like rice coffee, rice barquillos, and much more”, Peter shared.
For Peter, the future of rice farming in Quezon, Bukidnon is bright, and he is determined to be at the forefront of this digital transformation. "I want to inspire young people to put much weight in farming so that someday, all the silent heroes---our farmers, will stand with their heads held high, prosperous, dignified, and proud”, Peter concluded.
To avail of DJI Agricultural Drone services, feel free to get in touch with Peter at this number: 0992-800-3032 or visit Balmores Diversified Integrated Farm.
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