Climate change remains one of the most important and urgent environmental issues that affect Filipino farmers and fisherfolk – an issue that science, technology, and innovation (STI) can address.
Various government agencies demonstrated their commitment to help Filipino farmers and fisherfolk become more resilient to climate change and disasters through the Luzon Leg of HANDA Pilipinas 2025. The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) was one of the agencies that participated in the Luzon Leg, showcasing SARAI Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations (SARAI CeNTRO); Auto Furrow Irrigation System (AFIS), and El Nino Initiatives.
“Project SARAI aims to deploy science-based crop technologies and protocols to farming communities to combat climate change and its impacts. It is currently being deployed nationwide through the DOST-funded program SARAI CeNTRO,” said Dr. Loucel Cui. In partnership with DOST Regional Offices nationwide, the integration of SARAI’s Integrated Crop Monitoring Forecasting (ICMF) to the existing systems of local government units allows for a smarter and data-driven approach to managing agricultural areas.
The AFIS of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) helps mitigate the effects of drought and dry spells in selected low-yielding sugarcane block farms across the country. CLSU reported that during the El Nino period last year, a high yield of 128.95 TC/ha in the pilot site in Isabela, Negros Occidental was gained as a result of the application of AFIS and Nutrio Biofertilizer. Similarly, in Paniqui, Tarlac yield was 178.70 TC/ha, which was higher than the conventional practice.
Another initiative showcased was the work of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) and CLSU, both institutions that are directly capacitating stakeholders against climate-related and disaster risks. During the capacity building initiatives, farmers and local agricultural workers were equipped with essential knowledge and tools to become more resilient against the El Niño phenomenon.
As part of a larger initiative by CLSU and PCAARRD, the project team also introduced conservation agriculture and smart water-saving technologies at the HANDA Pilipinas 2025 area.
Conservation agriculture concepts highlighted by the project team were minimum tillage, crop diversification, and mulching, which not only protect the land, but conserve water during dry seasons. Water-saving technologies introduced were the Solar Pump Irrigation and Drip Irrigation System implemented by CLSU.
The Solar Pump Irrigation System harnesses solar energy to directly power a 1-horsepower DC solar water pump that can provide a stable water supply to fields in remote areas that have an unstable electric supply. Meanwhile, the drip irrigation system waters the base of the plants directly through a main line towards drip lines spread across the field. This allows for an 80-90% water savings compared to traditional irrigation methods, wherein water loss occurs due to evaporation and run-off. Participants were also guided on how they can install these systems and implement conservation agriculture concepts on their own through their Techno-Gabay brochures.
The Luzon leg of Handa Pilipinas is a regional exposition of science, technology, and innovative solutions for disaster, risk reduction, and climate change adaptation. It was conducted in Baguio City, back to back with the celebration of the 2025 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week at the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). DOST CAR, in partnership with DOST Technology Application and Promotion Institute and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spearheaded the activities.