Davao city: The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Japanese firm E-Supportlink Co., Ltd. to initiate an AI-powered drone project aimed at enhancing banana plant counting and early disease detection. The project, which marks a significant step in agricultural innovation, will focus on tackling the challenges faced by the banana industry in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the banana sector is pivotal to the Philippine agricultural landscape, especially in Mindanao. Yet, it grapples with issues like Fusarium wilt and the inadequacy of precise plantation data. Traditional methods of monitoring remain labor-intensive and provide limited coverage, making it difficult to manage production effectively.
Fusarium wilt, known to infect crops such as tomatoes, bananas, and cotton, causes symptoms like yellowing, wilting, and brown vascular discoloration, leading to plant death. This soil-borne fungal disease poses a significant threat to banana plantations. DA-11 Regional Director Macario Gonzaga highlighted that the pilot testing of the AI drone technology will initially cover a 15-hectare area in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, with the Laserna Farm in Ula, Tugbok District, Davao City, being the site for initial trials.
Gonzaga emphasized the potential of the technology to enhance disease detection capabilities, stating, "We will see how effective the technology is in detecting banana diseases." The project's use of AI-driven multispectral drone imagery aims to identify diseased banana plants at the presymptomatic stage, providing a strategic advantage in managing disease outbreaks.
The Department of Science and Technology will oversee the project's implementation, encompassing drone operations, AI analysis, and field validation. Gonzaga pointed out that a definitive solution to combat Fusarium wilt is yet to be found, underscoring the importance of this innovative approach.
The integration of drone technology with AI and remote sensing is anticipated to revolutionize plantation mapping, plant population estimation, and early disease detection, offering a more efficient and swift response mechanism. Once validated, the technology will be promoted among banana growers, with a focus on supporting small-scale producers.
In addition to technological advancements, the project includes a sustainability component, training DA personnel and farm managers in drone and AI applications. Operational manuals and guidelines will be formulated, and the outputs from the drone-AI system will be incorporated into DA monitoring systems, coupled with the establishment of a digital database for plantation mapping and disease surveillance.
Gonzaga acknowledged the support from Japanese stakeholders, stating, "Japanese nationals love our banana variety, that's why they extend help through this technology for us to improve banana production in the region."
