Technology for innovation 

While the Philippines has yet to fully improve and develop its own agricultural sector, there
have been initiatives done to help farmers through technology as well.

F1 hybrid seeds have been used in corn production in the Caraga region. It is to “ensure
sustainable production in prime corn lands,” raise the average yields of corns per hectare
and increase the income of marginal corn farmers in the region.

Other papaya-producing countries like Taiwan have similarly incorporated F1 hybrid seeds

into their production. According to reports, it has resulted in “high-yielding” and “great
tasting” papayas.

Intelligent farming equipment has also helped farmers increase their field productivity. One
example is the WR-801 Multi-Function Hand Tractor that can do the job of ten people at
once.

The machine can perform weeding, double-row tilling for fertilizer application, rotavation and
furrow forming for corn fields and vegetable plots.

The country also completed what could be considered its “first and biggest” solar-powered
irrigation system last May 2018. Piñol said that it could irrigate up to 500,000 hectares.

On the same month, Japanese-made drones have been utilized in three Benguet towns to

spray fertilizer on vegetable farms located on mountain slopes. It was intended to lessen the
farmers’ hours in the field.

The government also created a website specifically designed to help farmers in crop
planning. Called Farmers Guide Map, it assists farmers in identifying suitable crops to be
planted on their lands. It also provides data on climate conditions and soil adaptability.

In addition, different applications have also been developed as well.

Rice Crop Manager app, a web-based platform, provides recommendations to farmers in
crop management based on their own farm conditions.

AgriDOC app enables farmers to record their activities and monitor farm inputs, improve
their farm tasking and guide them in farm management.

KROPS app lets farmers market their own products at their own prices and help potential
buyers find sources of farm products within their own area.