DA plans satellite imagery, aerial sensing on sugarcanes

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to launch a satellite imagery ,aerial sensing program for the sugarcane industry in a bid to provide more accurate production projections.

“The SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) board approved my proposal and agreed to source funds for the start of a satellite imaging and aerial sensing program which would provide accurate data on projected production,” Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said.

“With accurate production projection, market speculation and manipulation will be stopped thus protecting both the farmers and the consumers,” he added.

Piñol said the program is similar to the rice industry’s PRISM or Philippine Rice Information System program, which uses an EAS Sentinel 1A Satellite.

EAS Sentinel 1A passes over rice production areas of the Philippines and other countries every 10 days.  It provides data on standing crops used for production projection, making the rice industry accurately project the production even before the harvest.

PRISM is a coordinated effort among DA, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Department of Science and Technology and other government agencies.

It came about following reports that the country’s sugar production would decline to 160,000 to 200,000 metric tons this year.

The SRA board approved the importation of 100,000 MT of refined sugar for the use of bottlers and processors, 50,000 MT of refined sugar for confectionery makers and 50,000 MT of brown sugar to address the rising prices of the commodity in the market.

“This prompted me to decide that the sugar industry and other agricultural crop sectors should make use of modern technology for accurate crop projection, including detection of plant diseases,” Piñol said.

Piñol said the program would also cover other crops such as banana, coconut, cacao, coffee, and mango.

“The technology is available and there is no reason why agriculture should not employ it,” the agriculture chief added.