IRRI and DA-FPA Partner to Advance Agricultural Drone Training

Jan 2025

IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) and the Philippine Department of Agriculture’s Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (DA-FPA) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) aimed at training policymakers on the safe and effective use of agricultural drones. This initiative is part of the Drones4Rice Program, which seeks to establish standard protocols for drone usage in rice production across the Philippines. DA-FPA Executive Director Julieta Lansangan emphasized that this training will aid in creating guidelines for monitoring drone activities in agriculture.

In conjunction with this effort, DA-FPA has introduced Memorandum Circular No. 2024-025, which outlines enhanced regulations for using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for pesticide spraying. The Fertilizer Regulations Division of DA-FPA is also responsible for developing guidelines for drone operations related to fertilizer application.

The use of drones is expected to benefit smallholder farmers by enabling efficient field assessments, optimizing seed, fertilizer, and pesticide application, thereby reducing costs and improving rice quality and yield. The Department of Agriculture is investing in disruptive technologies like drones, which are seen as essential for enhancing crop production efficiency and sustainability.

While agricultural drone usage is advancing in neighboring countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, it remains in its early stages in the Philippines. The partnership between IRRI and DA-FPA will continue to focus on refining guidelines and best practices for drone applications in agriculture.

(Source: International Rice Research Institute)

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