VINCE ANGELO FERRERAS, August 12, 2026
http://gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/science/998314/da-eyes-ai-powered-drones-for-smart-farming/story/
Photo courtesy of DA / File photo
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking to tap technology developed by a Japanese firm that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and drones to boost farm productivity.
The technology introduced by E-SupportLink (ESL), a Japanese technology provider, uses drones and AI to forecast pest outbreaks and other crop hazards, giving farmers and government officials time to take preventive action.
“The value of this system is that it is not just about flying drones. It comes with predictive analysis and forecasting. We can identify where problems may start before they become bigger issues,” DA Undersecretary Cheryl Natividad-Caballero said in a statement.
The technology uses drones, aerial photography and AI analysis to monitor crop growth, count plants, forecast production, optimize farm inputs and detect early signs of disease.