The National Tobacco Administration and Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc. (ULPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue and implement the projects in developing alternative system and promote or advocate the modernization of agricultural practices.
NTA Administrator/CEO Robert Victor G. Seares Jr. and Francis Irwin C. Ang, ULPI Vice President, Growing Operations, signed the MOU on April 6 at the NTA La Union Branch office in Bauang.
The parties agreed to undertake research and development project in using agricultural drones for the application of various farm inputs like crop protection agents, fertilizer and pesticides, generation of GPS coordinates, plant variety and number of standing crops, among others.
The signing was witnessed by the members of the NTA Governing Board Nestor C. Casela, Teofilo R. Quintal, Wilfredo C. Martinez, and Jessie Pat M. Serna; Deputy Administrator for Operations Engr. Cesario G. Sambrana, and NTA La Union Manager Dr. Giovanni B. Palabay.
Before the signing, Administrator Seares and his team, along with some local officials and farmer leaders, attended the Pilot Testing of GPS Mapping demonstrated by ULPI staff using a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in Payocpoc Norte-Weste, also in Bauang.
According to Engr. Sambrana, the signing will pave the way for more undertakings to develop competent digital agriculture with a pool of experts from both parties to help farmers facilitate major farm activities.
[Photo: John James B. Canosa]