With the aim of introducing the advantages of agricultural drone technology, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA facilitated a one-day briefing on the Digital Farmers Program Farm Connect in Barangay Malinao, Narra, Palawan on August 12, 2024.
A total of 30 small-scaled farmers participated in the activity and received various insights on the use and value of agricultural drone technology in rice farming, including its services for seed sowing, fertilizer and pesticide application, and crop monitoring.
Mr. Melmar A. Alejandro, a resource person from the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office MIMAROPA imparted to the participants the benefits and functions of agricultural drones and demonstrated its role in the seeding process and fertilizer application.
Through this, the participants appreciated and recognized the advantages of this technology to farming.They were also connected to service providers and partners from whom they could access free drone services.
In her impression, Ms. Jennifer G. Dadangue shared the potential convenience that the agricultural drone technology could bring to them.
"Sa totoo lang, ako'y napahanga sa kakayahan ng drone. Sa malakihang pagsasaka ng palay, maaaring kaya ng mga malalaking magsasaka na magbayad ng gastos para dito, ngunit sa amin, ang maliliit na magsasaka, kung may suporta mula sa gobyerno, magagamit namin ito. Ang laki ng tulong nito, lalo na sa pagpapabilis ng mga gawain sa sakahan—hindi na kailangan ng maraming tao para magtrabaho sa bukirin,” she said .
As an output , ATI-MIMAROPA provided free drone services to the farms of participants who were willing to use them and created a group chat which will serve as a platform for them to seek assistance and coordinate with agencies if they wish to use drone services on their farms.
