August 23, 2025 | Quezon City – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) has intensified its campaign to promote drone technology in farming through the expansion of its “Drones4Rice” information caravans, reaching more than 1,250 farmers and stakeholders in Luzon and Visayas from June to August 2025.
Organized by FPA regional offices in partnership with local government units (LGUs), Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Offices (DA RFOs), and the National Rice Program (NRP), the caravans feature live drone demonstrations, technical lectures, and consultations showcasing the practical benefits of agricultural drones in rice farming.
“Ang drone technology ay hindi lang bahagi ng hinaharap, ito ay kasalukuyan at reyalidad,” said FPA Executive Director Glenn DC. Estrada during the information Caravan held in Narra, Palawan on July 17.
“Sa likod ng bawat lipad ng drone ay ang tungkuling protektahan ang kalikasan, ani, at kalusugan ng mga magsasaka at komunidad,” Director Estrada added.
The six caravans held since June gathered strong participation from local rice farmers:
Drones in modern farming
Agricultural drones are emerging as a game-changing tool for modern farming. They enable faster and more efficient application of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides while reducing environmental impact, minimizing health risks to farmworkers, and lowering labor costs.
The Drones4Rice program was pioneered in 2024 by the DA–National Rice Program with its first regional caravans in Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) and Region III (Central Luzon). With the FPA’s nationwide rollout, more caravans are set to take place in the coming months to expand awareness and adoption of drone technology in agriculture.
Writer: Fernando Pierre Dela Cruz
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Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Online ISSN: 2815-1674
Published by the FPA Information and Communications Team