DA Explores Smart Farming to Boost Productivity and Bridge Tech Divide

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is actively exploring the adoption of smart farming technologies to boost productivity and bridge the technological divide within the Philippine agriculture sector. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated, "We have to modernize agriculture, and we have to find the right technology that will allow us to leapfrog." He led a delegation that visited the Zhejiang Huihong Fruit and Vegetable Farm in China's Zhejiang province to study digital systems used for monitoring crops and managing farm operations. The delegation toured the farm's greenhouses, examining cultivation practices such as green protection and precision management techniques for fruits and vegetables. They also sampled grapes, plums, and jujubes produced at the farm. Representatives from Zhejiang Huihong Biotechnology Co. Ltd. discussed the farm's smart agriculture data platform, which integrates environmental monitoring, water and fertilizer management, and real-time production data. Philippine delegates and Zhejiang farm officials also conferred on the farm's industrial operations, quality control, and ecological planting models. The DA noted, "The bigger task will be determining which technologies can work economically and effectively in Philippine farms, where conditions vary sharply in scale, infrastructure, financing, and digital access." Both parties also explored potential collaborations in agricultural technology and fruit and vegetable production, focusing on technology transfer and industry partnerships in precision agriculture, crop protection, and ecological farming. Secretary Tiu Laurel indicated there was "broad room" for a Philippine-China partnership, with both sides expressing interest in turning the exchange into practical collaboration. He added, "There’s nothing wrong with copying the success of others if it will help others." The Philippines' farm sector faces pressure to raise production while dealing with climate risks, resource constraints, and uneven access to modern farm technology. This visit occurred amidst these challenges. /pai