DA Western Visayas pilots subsidized agricultural drone services in Zarraga
Posted by: RAFIS DA6 | Posted at: February 5, 2025
Brgy. Inagdangan Centro, Zarraga, Iloilo farmers were among the first beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas’ free agricultural drone service. On February 5, over four hectares of rice fields in the vegetative stage were sprayed with bio-fertilizers using agricultural drones.
According to Ian Calibara of the DA-WV Regional Rice Program, this intervention is part of the Digitalization and Value Chain Development initiative under the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program, which aims to provide rice farmers with subsidized access to drone services.
The DA is set to implement agricultural drone services in Zarraga, Pototan, and Dingle in Iloilo province through a voucher system.
Calibara added that drone mechanization aims to speed up farm activities and ensure the effective and efficient application of bio-fertilizers and/or soil ameliorants in rice nutrient management.
Beneficiaries will receive vouchers worth P2,000 per hectare for full drone-assisted farming operations, including pre-flight planning, crop establishment, nutrient management, and pest and disease control.###
Texts by Sheila Mae H. Toreno & Photos by Khrysma Dei C. Caldina/DA-RAFIS 6
