DA Secretary Dar opens center for precision agriculture

 

DA Sec. William D. Dar inaugurated today the Precision and Digital Agriculture Center (PreDiC) Facilities.

PreDiC is a joint project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Central Luzon State University (CLSU) funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) worth 50 million pesos.

The center aims for the advancement of Philippine Agriculture through digital transformation. Digital and Precision Agriculture involves collection and analysis of farm data more accurately enabling the farmers make more informed and appropriate decisions hence eliminates guesswork in the field.

Moreover, CLSU-PreDiC is committed to play pivotal role in the digital transformation of Philippine agriculture that is more efficient, more productive, more sustainable, highly profitable, environment-friendly, and future ready.

The activity is spearheaded by CLSU officials led by Pres. Edgar A. Orden and accompanying him were the Vice President for Research and Extension and the project leader of PreDiC, Dr. Armando N. Espino, Jr., Vice President for Business Affairs Dr. Ariel G. Mactal, Vice President for Administration Dr. Danilo S. Vargas, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Renato G. Reyes, and Director for Extension Dr. Eugenia G. Baltazar.

Present also in the event were DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research Director Dr. Junel B. Soriano, DA-RFO 3 Regional Executive Director Crispulo G. Bautista, Jr., RTD for Research and Regulatory Dr. Eduardo L. Lapuz, Jr., DA-PhilMech Director Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia and DA-PCC OIC-Executive Director Dr. Ronnie D. Domingo.

In his message, Sec Dar emphasized excellence and relevance. The SUCs must find its special role in the ecosystem or place where it is located. That it is also important to engage the students in the field of agriculture, as they will continue what we already started. He reminded also the audience of the crisis on food, fuel, feeds and fertilizer that we are facing brought by climate change and unintended conflict between our neighboring countries. Therefore, the current programs, activities and targets must be recalibrated to recuperate in a given situation.

He also emphasized that the DA is already gearing towards food sovereignty from food sufficiency and food security. And this can only be achieved if there is synergy among government agencies, SUCs, farmers, and stakeholders.

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