The Department of Agriculture is exploring the use of drones and artificial intelligence to forecast, predict, and prevent crop problems, as it seeks to raise farm productivity and strengthen the country’s food security.
The technology combines real-time environmental data gathered by drones with historical weather patterns and machine-learning models to predict pest infestations and other crop threats, potentially giving farmers and government agencies an early warning before outbreaks spread.
The initiative, introduced by Japanese technology provider E-SupportLink (ESL), could change how the Philippines manages agricultural risks. Rather than waiting for pests and diseases to cause widespread damage, farmers could use timely aerial data to spot threats earlier and take preventive action.
The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push to modernize agriculture through technology, innovation, and stronger support systems for farmers as the government works to boost productivity and build a more resilient food system.
ESL has begun pilot testing its AI-powered aerial imaging technology on three banana farms in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 11. The project is now undergoing ground verification to validate the technology’s results.
The system uses drones, aerial photography, and AI analysis to monitor crop growth, count plants, forecast production, optimize farm inputs, and detect early signs of disease.
DA Undersecretary Cheryl Natividad-Caballero said the technology could shift farm management from a reactive approach to a more preventive one.
“The value of this system is that it is not just about flying drones. It comes with predictive analysis and forecasting. We can identify where problems may start before they become bigger issues,” Caballero said.
Early detection could also lower the cost of controlling disease outbreaks, she said, because farmers can intervene before problems spread across larger areas.
“When you know where the problem is early, you can act faster, and the cost of controlling it becomes lower,” Caballero added.
ESL said similar technology is already being used on farms in Japan, where AI-based mapping and early detection systems support timely assessments and help prevent disease outbreaks.
The company said the Davao pilot has also drawn interest from private banana producers looking to use aerial data for production planning and disease monitoring.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed the technology but said its broader impact would depend on whether it becomes affordable and accessible to farmers.
“The technology is promising, but we need to make sure it becomes affordable and accessible not only to large companies but, more importantly, to small farmers,” Tiu Laurel said.
The DA is also examining potential applications in sugarcane and coconut, two major export crops facing production challenges, he said.
“We want to see how this can help us address urgent concerns in sugar and coconut. If we can detect problems earlier, we can make better decisions and protect farmers’ income,” Tiu Laurel said.
Under the proposed cooperation, ESL will help train drone operators, establish aerial imaging systems, and provide AI-based productivity assessments. The DA is studying possible government support, including training assistance through the Agricultural Training Institute and potential funding mechanisms.
But the bigger opportunity goes beyond drones.
The technology could help lay the groundwork for a more data-driven farming system, where decisions are guided by timely, precise information rather than delayed assessments. That could help farmers manage disease risks, climate pressures, input use, and production uncertainties more efficiently.
As the Marcos administration pushes its modern agriculture agenda, AI and precision farming could become increasingly important tools in turning food security ambitions into measurable gains for farmers and consumers.
