The technical workshop session served as a venue for the participants to learn, develop, discuss, and improve their respective theory of change (TOC), coalition maps, and/or political action plans. The panel of session mentors consisted of Ms. Krisza Lorrain “Krish” Enriquez of The Asia Foundation Philippines’ Coalition for Change (CfC) and Mr. Filomeno “Men” Sta. Ana, III of the Action for Economic Reforms (AER).
Participated in the technical workshop session were six DOST-PCAARRD policy advocacy project teams from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), namely: (1) Advocating Science-based Policy Reforms for the Sustainable Production and Consumption of Non-Timber Forest Products in the Philippines: The Case of the Almaciga Resin Industry; (2) Assessment of Policy Constraints to the Effective and Efficient Conduct of Public R&D in the Philippines; (3) Policy Advocacy for the Adoption of Ecotourism as a Local Sustainable Development Solution for Laguna de Bay’s Resource Use and Management (Project LEAD); (4) Policy Advocacy for Enhancing the Science of Integrated Land Use Planning using Watershed Integrated Area Land Use Planning and Watershed Ecosystem Management Framework (WILUP Project); (5) Research for Development: Payment for Ecosystem Services Outcome for Sustainable Water Provision (R4D: PESO SWaP) in Barobbob Watershed, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines; and (6) Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory (DIPLab): Capacity Building Toward Innovative and Inclusive Policymaking for Development in the AANR Sector.
The workshop was divided into two major topics: (1) Theory of Change and Measures that Matter and (2) Coalition Mapping and Political Action Plan. The first part of the workshop was a lecture-discussion by Ms. Enriquez on creating the theory of change of policy reform. It was followed by a breakout session allowing the advocacy project teams to discuss among themselves and consult with the mentors as they proceeded with their TOC development and writeshop.
After the breakout session, the teams presented their outputs to which the mentors shared their feedback and recommendations. For the second and last part of the workshop, Ms. Enriquez introduced a timeline tool and gave a lecture-demonstration on coalition mapping and political action planning. Another breakout session for coalition map and political action plan development, writeshop, presentation of outputs, and provision of feedback and recommendations followed.
At the end of the workshop, all advocacy project teams developed their respective TOC, coalition maps, and political action plans. Ms. Mia Barbara DV. Aranas, SERD Policy Analysis and Information Management Unit (PAIMU) Head at that time, concluded the session with her closing remarks, suggesting that the session's outputs could be used in enhancing their reform strategies. She also highlighted that a policy reformer should be mindful of the possible changes as the advocacy progresses and be able to adapt to such changes.
The technical workshop session of the DOST-PCAARRD Development Entrepreneurship (DE) Hybrid Course was conducted by the Council, together with The Asia Foundation, on May 22, 2023 at the R.D. Guerrero Hall, DOST-PCAARRD, Los Baños, Laguna. The Course, led by the DOST-PCAARRD Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD) in collaboration with the Foundation, was launched on May 8, 2023.
Data gathering activity conducted in one of UP Cebu’s project sites. (Image credit: UP Cebu)
The manual classification of mangoes has long been a bottleneck in the mango supply chain, characterized by time-consuming efforts and subjective judgment. In response to this challenge, the “Mango Automated Neural Net Generic Grade Assignor (MANGGA)” project of the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and brings automation to the labor-intensive task of sorting Carabao mangoes for the fresh export market.
UP Cebu Professor Jonnifer Sinogaya leads this two-year project funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). The team has been working on the development of data acquisition system technologies for mangoes in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture-Region VII (DA-VII), University of the Philippines Los Baños-Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center (UPLB-PHTRC), and the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP).
The team's systematic approach to data acquisition has led to an extensive data set of 10,440 images captured from various angles and orientations and corresponding ethylene concentrations collected from 870 individual mangoes, which served as the cornerstone for training a cutting-edge AI model for sorting Carabao mangoes.
The MANGGA project team has coded the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) from scratch and also created an image data acquisition system. Their preliminary training of a single-input CNN model exhibited an impressive 94% accuracy in determining whether mangoes are suitable for export based on their overall visual characteristics.
Python program developed by UP Cebu for computation of mango dimensions. (Image credit: UP Cebu)
Using the Philippine National Standard for quality metrics, the refinement of the CNN and Computer Vision System (CVS) promises a more efficient way to grade export-quality Carabao mangoes.
Midway through its second year, the project team refines its approach and explores innovative preprocessing techniques. The project also aims to continually assess multi-input CNN models and image data acquisition systems to achieve a higher level of precision.
The MANGGA project encourages the adoption of smart postharvest system within the local mango industry. With the premise of creating a conveyor system designed to sort mangoes based on their marketability, this initiative stands poised to revolutionize mango grading, offering efficiency and safety to the fresh export market.
Themed "Synergy Unleashed: Becoming Smart Cities Through Strategic Partnerships," the 2nd International Smart and Sustainable Cities & Communities Exposition & Networking Engagement (iSCENE 2024) emphasized the importance of working together to achieve smart and sustainable cities across the country.
From left to right: Engr. Giolo Mababangloob showcasing the GFCS technology developed by DLSU; participants at the DOST-PCAARRD eLibrary booth; Engr. Aljay Santos explaining the Garlitech app to a participant; Ms. Rosemarie Areglado of SARAi demonstrating SARAi’s website to an iSCENE 2024 participant; Ms. Diaz explaining Bamboost; and ISU presenting their Agroinformatics Solution for Major Cassava Diseases. (Image credit: DLSU, DOST-PCAARRD, and MMSU)
The event featured discussions on building strong partnerships between government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. This collaborative approach is crucial for the success of the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) project, "Transforming LGUs towards Society 5.0," which aims to create a future-proof society that integrates human and technological advancements.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of DOST championed the creation of smart and sustainable cities as part of its banner programs on research and development (R&D) results utilization. The event was held last April 11–13, 2024 at the 2nd iSCENE held in Cauayan City, Isabela.
During iSCENE 2024’s technology exhibition, the Council has highlighted the following SMART technologies that are being developed and/or prepared for commercialization under its R&D initiatives:
Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture Industry in the Philippines (SARAi), a UPLB-led and DOST-PCAARRD-funded project that uses precision agriculture technologies to develop decision support models for crop forecasting, crop advisories (when to plant, when to irrigate, when to harvest, etc.) and early warning systems. At present, the SARAi system and its protocols cover the following crops: rainfed rice, corn, coffee, cacao, coconut, banana, sugarcane, tomato, and soybean.
BamBoost®, a mobile marketing app with a primary goal of linking bamboo farmers, craft makers, and manufacturers to a wider market of buyers in the country and abroad to promote the use of sustainable & eco-friendly bamboo products. It is the first app that exclusively carries only bamboo products to market and promote the arts and crafts of Filipino communities.
i-POND, a technology that involves development of a long-range wide area network (LoRaWAN)-based automated water quality control and monitoring system for shrimp farms. This automated system is engineered to continuously assess water quality parameters including temperature, pH level, dissolved oxygen, and salinity within the aquatic environment that allows users to access the real-time water quality data remotely on mobile phones and computers via the Internet.
Crabifier, a free and accurate Android-based mobile application that can identify the species of juvenile crablets of the genus Scylla. It allows the mangrove crab farmers to pick their species of choice from juveniles captured from the wild and to confirm the species being sold by the traders.
DOST-PCAARRD eLibrary, a free access website that offers a wide range of agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) materials. It includes books, journals, theses, technical reports, and more. By transitioning to an online platform, DOST-PCAARRD aims to efficiently share scientific information with its R&D partners and the public.
Agroinformatics Solution, created by Isabela State University, is a robust and versatile platform leveraging technology to empower cassava farmers. It provides quick disease identification, disease management advisory, and comprehensive farm management. Among its features and services include: User management, Farm management, E-consultation, Treatment schedules, Monitoring cassava diseases, Data analytics, and Incident report generation.
Green Freshness Classification System (GFCS), a technology that uses Computer Vision and Gas Sensors, features an electronic nose (e-nose) for on-site (in situ) detection of fungicide residue on freshly harvested lettuce. Developed by De La Salle University, the e-nose utilizes seven gas sensors and a powerful computational intelligence (CI) model embedded within the Arduino module.
Garlitech, a garlic disease forecasting application being developed by the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) through the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER): Garlic and Other Agri-Food Condiments Program. It is a mobile application prototype that can forecast the severity and risks of garlic diseases in an area using the prevailing weather data. It is also designed to provide sustainable management practices to minimize potential production losses caused by the forecasted disease/s.
Alongside the impressive exhibits of cutting-edge technologies, iSCENE 2024 also offered a dynamic program of events on the main stage that showcased the latest technologies that are accelerating the Philippines towards the creation of smart and sustainable cities and engaged everyone to put them into action.
The focus shifted from physical exhibits to the power of collaboration at the next mainstage event, a series of panel discussions featuring international and national stakeholders. Here, experts delved deeper into the theme, "Synergy Unleashed," sharing real-world examples of successful partnerships that have driven smart city initiatives in the Philippines, Thailand, and Korea.
The second day focused on plenary sessions for the following topics: (1) Smart and Sustainable Communities in Global Perspective; (2) Synergistic Approach in Building Entrepreneurship and Innovation-Driven Nation; (3) Public Private Academe Partnership (PPAP): Strategic Model for SMART and Sustainable Communities RA 11966; (4) Start-up Programs in the Philippines; and (5) Sharing of Best Practices and Initiatives of LGU, and (6) Smart Initiatives and Programs of DOST-Attached Agencies.
Ms. Maria Teresa L. De Guzman, on behalf of Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, presents DOST-PCAARRD’s Smart Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Smart Initiatives in the AANR, and the Strategic Approach towards Agricultural Innovation (Image credit: ACD, DOST-PCAARRD)
On behalf of DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director, Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, OIC Director Maria Teresa L. De Guzman of PCAARRD’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) presented the Council’s Smart Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Smart Initiatives in the AANR, and the Strategic Approach towards Agricultural Innovation during the DOST-Attached Agencies presentation. She also emphasized DOST-PCAARRD’s strategic approach towards agricultural innovation and highlighted the Council’s banner programs that will drive the country’s AANR sector towards the attainment of the country’s Ambisyon Natin 2040.
With its successful conclusion, iSCENE 2024 became a stronghold for our country’s vision of achieving a smart and sustainable future. With cities and local government units partaking in the action of leveraging technologies and partnerships to create a better tomorrow, the Philippines is right on its path of achieving its vision of “provision of enabling technologies for applications beneficial to society” by 2026.
Four of the supported and monitored projects of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) were highlighted in the breakout sessions on Climate Disaster Resilience, Food Security and Agriculture, and Digital Transformation during the third day of the International Smart and Sustainable Cities & Communities Exposition & Networking Engagement (iSCENE 2024).
The activity was participated by individuals from various local government units and non-government agencies, and the private sector. Speakers included Ms. Rosemarie Areglado from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) for Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (Project SARAi), Dr. Ronnie Concepcion II from De La Salle University (DLSU) for the Green Freshness Classification System, Dr. Irma Plata of Isabela State University (ISU) for Agroinformatics Solution for 3 Major Cassava Diseases, and Dr. Junar Landicho of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) for Bamboost.
The breakout sessions aimed to introduce smart technologies that resulted from research and development (R&D) initiatives of both the public and private sectors to key decision-makers, participants, and the general public.
SARAI champions for climate and disaster resilient agriculture
Ms. Rosemarie Laila Areglado discussing SARAI technologies at the Climate and Disaster Resilience Breakout Session (Image credit: ARMRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Ms. Rosemarie Laila Areglado of UPLB, opened the conference with the pressing challenges brought about by climate change, specifically within the agriculture sector. She offered SARAI as a comprehensive solution leveraging various technologies. With 11 co-implementing State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), 6 partnerships among 6 National Government Agencies, and more than 167 researchers working on the project, new technologies and practices are proactively being developed to anticipate challenges, optimize yields, and ensure a more sustainable food system for all.
SARAI integrates remotely sensed data, ground data, mobile applications, and crop and weather data to create a powerful early warning and cropping decision support system for farmers. This system empowers them to make informed choices to optimize crop yields and manage risks.
One of the key highlights of SARAI is the Smarter Pest Identification Technology (SPIDTECH). This innovative Android application allows digital identification of insect pests and diseases affecting the nine priority crops covered by SARAI. By enabling early and accurate pest identification, SPIDTECH empowers farmers to take timely action, minimizing crop damage and associated losses. It equips them with the knowledge to implement proper pest management strategies for their crops.
Bantay SARAi application.
Ms. Areglado also introduced Bantay SARAI, a digital platform designed to revolutionize agricultural data collection. This user-friendly system facilitates the gathering of farmer information, planting, and harvesting data alongside other relevant Remote Sensing-based Biophysical (RSBSA) data. Bantay SARAI aims to establish a dynamic, real-time, and efficient online system for agricultural monitoring, offering a significant improvement over traditional pen and paper surveys.
The presentation also showcased the Community-Level Sarai Enhanced Agricultural Monitoring System (CL-SEAMS). This system leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Satellite Remote Sensing to provide a comprehensive agricultural monitoring and forecasting solution. Notably, CL-SEAMS prioritizes accessibility by utilizing free and open-source satellite data and Geographic Information System (GIS) software programs, such as QGIS and Google Earth Engine. This design choice allows easy adoption by Local Government Units (LGUs), empowering them to monitor farms remotely using satellite data. Processed satellite data within CL-SEAMS generates vegetation indices that not only identify crop types but also offer valuable insights into crop health.
Beyond crop monitoring, CL-SEAMS demonstrates its versatility by extending its functionalities to flood monitoring and damage assessment for large areas of land, eliminating the need for field visits. This capability offers significant advantages in terms of efficiency and resource allocation during disaster response efforts.
Ms. Areglado's presentation provided a compelling overview of SARAI and its suite of technologies. By harnessing the power of data and digital tools, SARAI equips farmers and agricultural stakeholders with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate the challenges posed by climate change, fostering a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.
New technology to modernize Benguet’s green leafy vegetable postharvest value chain
Dr. Ronnie S. Concepcion during the Food Security and Agriculture Breakout Session (Image credit: ACD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Dr. Ronnie S. Concepcion II of DLSU opened his presentation by explaining how lettuce crops are affected by fungal diseases and treated with fungicide to extend its shelf life and quality.
Use of fungicides to help control these diseases can harm the environment and pose health risks to both those who apply them and consume the treated crops.
The project team is developing the Green Freshness Classification System (GFCS) as an output component of the e-Asia Joint Research Program (JRP) project, “Towards Green Smart Cities: Improving Green Leafy Vegetables Post-Production and Distribution through Computational Intelligence,” which can help minimize potential harm to consumers.
This non-invasive classification system is designed to combine computer vision and gas sensors to accurately guide buyers on the freshness and potential fungicide traces of their green leafy vegetables. It can also classify and detect the three varieties of lettuce through Deep Neural Networks (DNN).
The GFCS prototype at the iSCENE Exhibition Area (Image credit: DLSU)
Furthermore, he elaborated on their project’s plans to integrate technology directly into trucks and a mobile application. This advancement will allow them to monitor the freshness of produce throughout its entire journey, ensuring that it arrives at its destination in optimal condition.
By seamlessly integrating technology into both the trucks and a dedicated mobile app, this project promises to modernize the way fresh green leafy vegetables are transported across Luzon from Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center.
This real-time monitoring system will empower all parties involved – from farmers to distributors to retailers – to ensure optimal freshness and minimize food waste, ultimately leading to a more efficient and sustainable food supply chain.
Bamboost app to empower bamboo businesses in the Philippines
Dr. Junar Landicho during the Digital Transformation Breakout Session. (Image credit: ACD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Dr. Junar A. Landicho of USTP introduced the Bamboost ecosystem to the participants of iScene 2024’s Digital Transformation Breakout Session as a solution to the challenge of enhancing digital inclusivity within the bamboo value chain.
Bamboost aims to bridge the digital divide by scaling up essential services and strengthening online marketing opportunities for bamboo products and connect potential buyers directly to bamboo producers and processors. By consolidating local products and suppliers in a centralized location, the app opens the gates to improving market access for rural businesses.
Currently, the Bamboost’s second implementation phase is being supported by DOST-PCAARRD, building on its Phase 1’s successful introduction to the provinces of Iligan, Iloilo, and Bukidnon. The project’s Phase 2 allows the team to improve the app to the specific needs of bamboo businesses through a comprehensive assessment of its adoption rate and effectiveness as a marketing platform, as well as strengthen the capacities of the members of partner agencies on how to utilize Bamboost effectively.
Bamboost application. (Image Credit: USTP)
The project also aims to equip bamboo farmers with knowledge on the location of suppliers, bamboo pole characteristics, and quality needs of their customers through its capacity building workshops with local producers and manufacturers. This enables the stakeholders of the bamboo value chain to improve their production and competitively price their products accordingly.
Through the development of a user-friendly and streamlined platform for bamboo manufacturers and consumers with Bamboost, Dr. Landicho’s breakout session calls for a future where fair trade for the Philippine Bamboo industry exists through digital transformation enabled by S&T-based solutions.
Agroinformatics solution poised to advance management of local cassava farms
Dr. Irma T. Plata during iScene 2024’s Digital Transformation Breakout Session. (Image credit: ACD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Dr. Irma T. Plata of ISU discussed how despite the Philippines is being among the top 10 cassava-producing countries in the Asia Pacific Region, 440 hectares of Cassava in Quirino and Isabela provinces are in danger of decreasing production from 8 tons per hectare to 30 tons per hectare due to the devastations of three major diseases: Cassava Phytoplasma Disease (CPD), Bacterial Blight Disease (BBD), and Brown Leaf Spot Disease (BLS).
With the aim of reducing the effects of the three major diseases in local cassava farms, Dr. Plata and her project team are developing an Agroinformatics Solution that would help Municipal Agricultural Offices (MAOs).
The app tracks the spread of the disease infestation and cassava production on each farm and cooperatives through GIS mapping and offers statistical information on the summary of cases by location through data analytics. Through the system, farmers would be able to track their plant’s health and diseases as well as access modules regarding cassava farming. It would also allow cooperatives to request a treatment schedule and manage their database of partner farmers.
Agroinformatics Solution showing their GIS-mapping and infestation tracking function. (Image credit: ISU)
Currently, the Agroinformatics Solution prototype is being tested on a cassava farm in Cabugao, Cauayan City, Isabela owned and farmed by Mr. Gil Ancheta, a resident of Cauayan City. A total of 36 cassava plants are being evaluated with a combination of KU 50 and Rayong 72 and 5 varieties as test samples, which were randomly selected at the experiment site. According to local farmers, these cassava varieties produce tubers that are highly sought-after by major buyers in the area.
Afflicted cassava plants are also undergoing pulse treatments every two weeks in order to evaluate the technology’s effectiveness in suppressing the three major diseases of cassava. Dr. Plata’s breakout session advocates alternative disease control methods that are safer and non-invasive to the farmers’ health and environment, challenging the conventional reliance on chemical intervention.
Through harnessing the power of data analytics and machine learning to provide real-time insights into the plant health and crop disease management practices, farmers can make informed decisions about treatment schedules to maximize yield, ultimately leading to resurgence of the cassava industry in Isabela.
A three-day benchmarking review to explore potential collaboration on mango breeding research was recently conducted by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF) of Queensland, Australia.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) facilitated this initiative, through its Crops Research Division (CRD), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
Dr. Ian Bally of QDAF during a field visit at IPB’s Mango Breeding Block. (Image credit: CRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The benchmarking review was carried out to initiate a Small Research Activity (SRA), which will be funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and implemented by QDAF with DOST-PCAARRD and UPLB.
Similar to R&D projects funded by DOST-PCAARRD, an SRA is designed to address gaps in the technology chain of priority commodities such as mango. It also provides an opportunity for capacity building as it offers training for researchers in selected disciplines.
During a meeting with UPLB’s Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) and Institute of Crop Science (ICropS), Dr. Ian Bally and Dr. Natalie Dillon of QDAF presented Australia's current mango breeding program that they have been working on for the past decades. In their presentations, they highlighted the progress of their research work and identified technologies and methods that can be shared with IPB and ICropS through the SRA.
DOST-PCAARRD ISP Manager for Mango Ma. Cecilia Alaban as she facilitates the SRA planning meeting in ICropS, CAFS-UPLB (left) and QDAF Scientist Natalie Dillon and CRD Dir. Leilani Pelegrina during the benchmarking meeting in IPB, CAFS-UPLB (right). (Image credit: CRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Similarly, Ms. Carolyn Alcasid, a University Researcher of IPB and the program leader of the Philippines’ mango breeding program, highlighted the accomplishments of the program team from IPB and ICropS. These include the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC)-registered varieties, developed hybrids, and identified selections with resistance to anthracnose and fruit fly. She also discussed the other activities undertaken by the IPB Fruits, Ornamentals, and Medicinal Crops Section (FOMS) aside from mango breeding.
During the review, the participants laid out their initial plans for the SRA and identified activities on mango genomics that will be considered as components of the activity.
The review was also attended by representatives of IPB and ICropS led by Deputy Director Maria Luisa D. Guevarra and Director Eureka Theresa M. Ocampo, respectively, along with the CRD team led by Director Leilani D. Pelegrina and Industry Strategic Science and Technology Program (ISP) Manager for Mango Ma. Cecilia S. Alaban.
Participants from DOST-PCAARRD, QDAF, and UPLB (IPB and ICropS) during the benchmarking review of the Philippines’ mango breeding program. (Image credit: CRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
