Precision Farming Partnerships

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and smart agriculture technology leader XAG have partnered to promote digital agriculture and precision farming in the Philippines. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the collaboration aims to validate the application of smart agriculture technologies in rice-based cropping systems through experimentation and research. XAG, through its Philippine partner Agridom, has donated agricultural drones to IRRI to support its mission of advancing precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices. This partnership is expected to enhance productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector by providing efficient tools for crop monitoring, precision input application, and data-driven decision-making.

The collaboration also addresses challenges such as limited access to technology, lack of standard protocols, financial resources, and regulatory constraints. IRRI Senior Scientist and Digital Agriculture and Precision Farming Lead Engineer Steve Klassen emphasized the potential of drones to significantly reduce costs and increase yields, optimizing resource use and minimizing environmental impact. The donated drones will support ongoing projects like the Drones4Rice initiative, which aims to streamline and standardize drone protocols for applying seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides in the Philippines. This partnership underscores a comprehensive approach involving targeted training, guidelines for best practices, financial incentives, and supportive government policies to overcome these challenges.

Image Credit: IRRI