Technology for accurate crop projection vital for NegOcc agriculture sector

HAVING the largest sugarcane plantation in the country, the move of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to employ technology for accurate production projection is seen to impact positively Negros Occidental.

Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said yesterday, June 24, that sometimes there are big discrepancies between the projected and actual production using the "pamata" scheme, or based on just looking at the standing crops and area.

Masculino said the local agriculture sector needs more appropriate technology for projection of harvest as well as the determination of actual production area per crop, not only sugarcane, to accurately calculate whether there is a surplus or shortfall.

"Such technology is vital for Negros Occidental as it remains the major producer of sugar in the country," he said, adding that "we can be able to accurately project the production output, which is vital for the government in determining the need for importation."

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier said the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Board approved his proposal and agreed to source funds for the start of the Satellite Imaging and Aerial Sensing Program that would provide accurate data on projected production.

Piñol said the program will also be employed for other crops like banana, coconut, cacao, coffee, and mango, among other high-value crops.

"With accurate production projection, market speculation and manipulation will be stopped thus, protecting both the farmers and the consumers," he said, adding that "the technology is available and there is no reason why agriculture should not employ it."

Earlier reports on an 'apparent inaccurate projection' of sugar production have prompted the official to decide that the sugar industry and other agricultural crop sectors should make use of modern technology for accurate crop projection.

After confirming the reports that sugar production this year will be short by about 160,000 to 200,000 metric tons, the Board agreed to import such volume to address the rising prices of the commodity in the market.

"Everybody admitted that the visual appreciation of standing crops as a method of determining the expected harvest was inaccurate," Piñol said, stressing that inaccurate crop projection is a bigger issue that needs to be addressed.

For Negros Occidental, Masculino said they are just waiting for the directive of DA central office as to the implementation of the Satellite Imaging and Aerial Sensing Program.

Aside from production projection, the technology can also be utilized for the detection of pest and diseases, Masculino said.

"Many countries have been using this technology. Maybe, it is an opportune time for us to also use such available resource," he added.

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