Bureau of Plant Industry aims to boost digital agriculture

The Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) aims to further the digitalization of Philippine agriculture through improved research centers and smart greenhouses.

Digital agriculture refers to tools and other communication equipment that digitally gather data for agricultural analysis to increase food production, among other purposes.

At the PTV public briefing on Wednesday, DA-BPI National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program and High Value Crops Development Program director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said that budget improvements granted by the Department of Agriculture shall be allocated to strengthening research centers and establishing smart agricultural greenhouses in selected areas nationwide to train farmers and stakeholders on how to utilize technological advancements.

“Of course, hindi pa po ito perpekto sa ngayon dahil ito po ay ating sinimulan, pero nakikita na po natin ang outputs nito at sa katunayan, masaya naman po ang ating mga farmers,” Panganiban said.

The research centers shall be open for farmers to act as training centers on the system of using the advanced technology and how to utilize digitalization in their respective communities and organizations.

Currently, the Bureau of Plant Industry has smart greenhouses with controlled watering, plant nutrition and pest monitoring located in Baguio and selected regional offices nationwide. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News