Palawan farmers are set to use artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite data to identify which portions of their fields need water, fertilizer or time to recover under a modern agricultural system, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Thursday during a visit to Aborlan.
Marcos said solar-powered pumps using AI and a Satellite-Assisted Monitoring and Fertigation System would be built in Palawan as the government expands irrigation projects across the country.
“Dito sa Palawan, magpapatayo tayo ng mga solar-powered pumps na gumagamit ng AI, iyong tinatawag na artificial intelligence, AI satellite-assisted monitoring at fertigation system,” Marcos said as he led the opening and turn-over of the Ibato-Iraan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project to farmers in Aborlan.
He said satellites would capture images of farms and help identify differences in crop and field conditions.
“Ito po ang mga sistema, tinitingnan po ng satellite na lumilipad sa taas at kinukunan ang sakahan. Sa isang lote, sa isang area, mapapakita: dito tuyo; dito kailangan dagdagan ng fertilizer; dito kailangan bawasan ng fertilizer; dito, pahingahin mo na,” he said.
The system is designed to combine satellite images with climate information and records of water use. AI algorithms would analyze the data and recommend when and how much water or fertilizer should be applied.
The technology also involves fertigation, or applying dissolved fertilizer through irrigation water. This can allow farmers to adjust water and fertilizer application according to the conditions in different portions of a farm.
Marcos said the solar-powered pumps would also remove the need for diesel fuel.
“Hindi na kailangan ng krudo, hindi na kailangan alalahanin kung saan kayo kukuha ng pampatakbo ng inyong mga bomba dahil sa araw kinukuha ang kuryente para patakbuhin ang mga solar pump na iyan,” he said.
The planned technology is separate from the ₱866-million Ibato-Iraan reservoir inaugurated by Marcos. He presented it as another agricultural project that would follow the expansion of irrigation in Palawan.
Government records show that the plan already has a specific project in the province.
According to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) MIMAROPA’s bidding documents, the agency has prepared a ₱100.46-million project involving seven 15-horsepower solar pumps with AI satellite-assisted monitoring and fertigation systems.
The systems are intended for the Taritien area of the Malatgao River Irrigation System in Narra and the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City.
The documents set a construction period of 240 calendar days after the contractor receives the notice to proceed. They describe a system that would analyze satellite information, climate data and daily water use before recommending methods of irrigation and fertilizer application.
The system would also use a proprietary database covering more than 1,500 growing seasons to make recommendations based on plant stress, crop growth and expected weather conditions, according to the NIA specifications.
The records do not yet establish whether the contract has been awarded or when the systems will begin operating.
Satellite-supported farming is also not entirely new to Palawan. The province is among the areas covered by CL-SEAMS, a crop and climate monitoring system developed under the University of the Philippines Los Baños-led Project SARAi.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development said the system provides information on drought, floods, crop conditions, pests and diseases. Farmers can request maps of their farms through their local governments or UPLB.
The government has also operated the Philippine Rice Information System, or PRiSM, since 2014. According to DA-PhilRice, PRiSM uses satellite images, crop models and field information to map rice areas, estimate production and assess damage from floods and drought.
Unlike PRiSM and CL-SEAMS, which are mainly used for monitoring and planning, the planned NIA systems are intended to guide water and fertilizer application at the farm level.
During the Aborlan event, NIA Administrator Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen said irrigation was a foundation of agricultural production and food security.
He said a reliable water supply could increase harvests and support activities ranging from planting and milling to storage and marketing.
Aborlan Mayor Lito Tito said the Ibato-Iraan project would strengthen agriculture, improve the water supply and support the local economy. He also said the reservoir could contribute to tourism in the municipality.
Marcos called on the association to work with NIA in operating and maintaining the irrigation system.
“Alagaan, ingatan at paunlarin natin ang imprastrakturang ito. Kayo po ang kasangga namin sa pagpapanatili at pagtatagumpay nitong proyektong ito,” he said.
