DOST trains farmers, agricultural extension workers in Butuan City on modern agriculture
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — As part of its continuing efforts to empower local farmers, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga conducted a capacity-building training on the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) mobile applications and automatic weather station (AWS) installation and maintenance.
About 43 farmers and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) from Butuan City participated in the March 19 activity, enhancing their capacity to use digital tools and climate information in farm management.
DOST Caraga Director Noel M. Ajoc emphasized the importance of bringing scientific innovations closer to farming communities. He highlighted that through Project SARAI CeNTRO (centralized national hub for regional operations), the agency promotes the use of digital and satellite-based technologies to support climate-resilient and data-driven agriculture in the region.
The participants were introduced to the smarter pest identification technology (SPIDTECH), a mobile application that enables users to identify crop pests and diseases by capturing images directly from the field. The session, facilitated by Engineer Noneth Labastilla, demonstrated how the application can assist farmers in the early detection of pests and diseases, allowing them to take timely and appropriate crop protection measures.
Meanwhile, Engineer Doreina L. Lawangon provided participants with guidance on the use of the community-level SARAI-enhanced agricultural monitoring system (CL-SEAMS). “The platform allows farmers and AEWs to monitor farm conditions, access climate and crop advisories, and gather location-specific agricultural information that can support more informed decision-making in crop production.”
The training also included discussions and demonstrations on the installation and basic maintenance of the AWS, led by Engineer Russel John G. Chee. He said, “The AWS collects real-time weather data such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation, which are essential in guiding farmers in planning their planting schedules, irrigation, and other farm activities. By providing localized weather information, the system helps farmers reduce risks associated with changing climate conditions.”
Also present during the activity were Butuan City Agriculturist Pierre Anthony Joven and DOST Caraga Assistant Regional Director for Field Operations Ricardo N. Varela, who expressed their support for initiatives that strengthen the technological capacities of farmers and agricultural workers.
Marciano L. Layola Jr., chairperson of the Butuan-Agusan Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, expressed his appreciation to DOST Caraga for providing farmers the opportunity to learn about smart farming technologies. “Dako gyud kaayo og katabang sa agrikultura and pag-monitor sa pest ug disease, ug dako usab siya’g tabang sa mga farmers, labi na sa pag-monitor sa weather. Hinaot nga kining programa nga nasugdan, dungagan pa og mas maayong mga innovation aron mas mapalambo pa gyud ang atong mga mag-uuma.”
(It is a big help to agriculture and to the farmers if there is monitoring on pests and diseases, including weather monitoring. I am hopeful that this implemented program will have more innovations to improve agriculture.)
Aligned with the agency’s thrust on “Agham na Ramdam,” DOST Caraga continues to strengthen the capacities of farmers and AEWs by providing tools and knowledge that help transform uncertainty into informed and science-based agricultural decision-making, ultimately contributing to more resilient and productive farming communities in the region. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from DOST Caraga)
