DA looks into China's smart farms for PH agriculture modernization

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking into China's smart farming technologies as the Philippines is pushing to modernize its agriculture sector.

"We have to modernize agriculture, and we have to find the right technology that will allow us to leapfrog," said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in a statement, following his visit to Zhejiang Huihong Fruit and Vegetable Farm in Zhejiang province.

"There's nothing wrong with copying the success of others if it will help others," he added.

According to DA, the Chinese smart farm features a smart agriculture data platform that integrates environmental monitoring, water and fertilizer management, and real-time production data.

The Philippine delegation led by the DA chief also learned about the farm's fruit and vegetable cultivation practices.

Moreover, the DA said cooperation between Manila and Beijing could focus on technology transfer and industry partnerships in agriculture.

"A meeting afterward covered the farm's industrial operations, quality control, and ecological planting models, as well as potential cooperation in agricultural technology and fruit and vegetable production," the DA said in a statement.

The DA earlier said it would upgrade its monitoring system to track upcoming harvests and weather patterns, with the goal of preventing vegetable gluts, price collapses, and crop dumping before they occur. — VDV, GMA News