Agricultural Resources Management Research Division

31/10/2026

GREEN CHAIN+: THE FRESH MARKET IN YOUR POCKET, LAUNCHED

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET (October 28, 2026)-- A mobile application system that connects farmers, users, market facilitators, and consumers of lettuce vegetables was recently launched at the Benguet State University (BSU) through the initiative of De La Salle University (DLSU).

GREEN CHAIN+ is a smart mobile app for lettuce supply, procurement, stall operations, and delivery. It provides information on the production volume of lettuce. Users can track available lettuce in farm production areas ready for harvest, transport and sale. It features a transportation route system where monitoring of deliveries and order status can happen in real time. It helps optimize supply chain efficiency and reduce wastes from surplus by connecting lettuce growers and suppliers directly to buyers and consumers. With this app, stakeholders can engage in marketing transactions. A payment scheme has been incorporated into the system.

DLSU developed this technology through the DOST-funded E-Asia Joint Research project “Towards Green Smart Cities: Improving Agricultural Supply Chain through Artificial Intelligence and Computational Intelligence.” DOST-PCAARRD’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division manages and monitors the project.

The project “explores how artificial intelligence and computational intelligence can support smarter and more efficient agricultural operations. At its core is a commitment to improving the quality of life.” This was conveyed at the project presentation of the research team led by DLSU project leader Dr. Marla M. Redillas.

Also, during the launching, the team reported that the app currently runs in v0.311 Android operating system (OS) and can be made available later in other OS. “The project team said that the “Green Chain+ecosystem is fully built, functional, and ready to transform local farm-to-market operations.”

Incorporated into the app are other outputs of the project such as intelligent transport system for delivery truck drivers and electronic nose (e-nose) that gages the freshness of lettuce, for quality-conscious consumers.

Present during the launching are officials from DOST-Cordillera Administrative Region, Benguet municipal agriculture office, farmer-traders, student-sons-and-daughters of farmers in the province, BSU faculty-researchers, PCAARRD, and DLSU. Participants were able to browse and try the app themselves.

In another meeting, DLSU and PCAARRD briefed BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan about the project outputs and the ways forward. He recognized BSU’s participation and he encouraged further pilot testing of the mobile app to ascertain users’ feedbacks. DLSU as the lead implementing agency will continue to provide technical and capability-building assistance. The project will soon be completed and plans for the next phase have also been tackled. (OFD, S&T Media Service)

30/10/2026

Technologies from the Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) were showcased to participants of the 3rd International Symposium of Forest GX/DX in Asia during their visit at the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC).

Agriculture Diptera or AgriPTERA technologies uses flies from the insect order Diptera, specifically Black Soldier Fly, to transform agricultural wastes into valuable products such as frass fertilizer and animal feed.

Aside from AgriPTERA, visitors were briefed about Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI). ARMRD highlighted how Geographic Information System-based crop monitoring, localized climate data, timely agricultural advisories, and digital decision-support tools help farmers and Local Government Units make informed and timely decisions on the ground. These are possible through technologies and systems currently being promoted under the SARAI-Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations program of PCAARRD.

The educational visit at the DPITC Exhibit Area created awareness among participants about PCAARRD’s research outputs and initiatives concerning green and digital transformation of forestry towards sustainable forest management.

Around 40 participants benefited from the educational visit. These include international delegates from Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam, Canada and local delegates from selected state universities and colleges in the Philippines.

29/10/2026

Know more about "Towards Green Smart Cities," An E-ASIA Joint Research Project, funded by DOST, monitored by PCAARRD-ARMRD and implemented by De La Salle University.

26/10/2026

The Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) of DOST-PCAARRD actively participated in the Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW)- CALABARZON held at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, Quezon.

Students, faculty members, and other enthusiasts visited PCAARRD-ARMRD exhibit booth and engaged themselves in drone operation simulation, and inquired about systems and technologies under the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations (SARAI CeNTRO).

Smarter Pest Identification Technology (SPIDTech), Banana Harvest Data Calculator (BanaTech), Community Level SARAI-Enhanced Agricultural Monitoring System (CL-SEAMS), and Water Advisory for Irrigation Scheduling System (WAISS) are among those featured during the RSTW Exhibits.

SARAI CeNTRO aims to deliver these science-based technologies and innovations to every region of the country, in partnership with the DOST Regional Offices. The goal is to modernize and improve the agriculture sector of the country.

CALABARZON

24/10/2026

24/10/2026

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23/10/2026

Effective management of pests, diseases, and w**ds is essential to sustaining sugarcane production, minimizing crop losses, and protecting the livelihoods of Filipino sugarcane farmers. Through integrated and science-driven approaches, the SUGARCURE program is working towards sound solutions to address these challenges and strengthen the resilience of the Philippine sugarcane industry.

DOST-PCAARRD, through the Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD), conducted a field monitoring visit to assess the progress and accomplishments of the SUGARCURE (Sustainable and Unified Gains through Agroecological Response and Control Using Resilient Eco-solutions) program. ARMRD was joined by representatives from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), as well as the external evaluators, Dr. Divina M. Amalin and Dr. Jonar I. Yago during the visit.

Now in its first year of implementation, among the key accomplishments presented during the monitoring were the following:
• isolation and laboratory evaluation of potential entomopathogenic fungi and biopesticides against the red-striped soft scale insect and other sugarcane pests;
• testing of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against insect pests;
• field assessments and disease monitoring, alongside the initial screening of potential biological control agents and plant extracts; and
• initial assessments of herbicide resistance, and field trials of w**d management strategies.

The program is implemented by the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) and the Institute of W**d Science, Entomology, and Plant Pathology (IWEP) of the College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). It comprises four research projects:
(1) “Utilizing Entomopathogenic Fungi and Biopesticides for the Biological Control of Red-striped Soft Scale and Grubs in Sugarcane,” led by Randolph N. Candano;
(2) “Development of Entomopathogenic Nematode (EPN)-Based Pest Management Strategy Against Sugarcane Insect Pests,” led by Dr. Barbara L. Caoili;
(3) “Development of Predictive Models, Risk Maps and Management Strategies Against Major Diseases of Sugarcane,” led by Carlos L. Padilla; and
(4) “Development of W**d Management Strategies for Major Grass W**d Problems in Sugarcane,” led by Romalene L. Miras.

As implementation continues, the program will build on the aforementioned initial findings through further laboratory and field evaluations to identify and validate effective management options.

21/10/2026

SARAI CeNTRO gears Visayas towards disaster-resilient agriculture during 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The SARAI Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations (SARAI CeNTRO) promotes disaster preparedness through science, technology, and innovation (STI) for the agriculture sector through its participation in the Visayas Leg of the 2026 HANDA Pilipinas sa Bagong Pilipinas held at the Leyte Convention Complex, Palo, Leyte.

By providing satellite and GIS-based crop monitoring, localized climate data, timely agricultural advisories, and digital decision-support tools, it empowers farmers, LGUs, and agricultural stakeholders to translate data into actionable, timely decisions - particularly during extreme events like "Very Strong El Niño" in the Philippines.

The 2026 HANDA Pilipinas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Visayas Leg was organized by DOST Eastern Visayas together with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban Leyte Inc. and DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute.

19/10/2026

Being HANDA starts with being informed. During the recently conducted HANDA Pilipinas Mindanao Leg, Project SARAI (Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines) was featured in the exhibit to raise public awareness on how decision support tools and early warning technologies can help farmers and communities prepare for the challenges of a changing climate. The exhibit also highlighted that it is already being deployed nationwide through DOST Regional Offices.

A diverse range of guests visited the booth. Among those who visited were business representatives, personnel from national government agencies and local government units, members of the academe, students, and people from the general public of all ages.

Beyond the exhibit, it was also featured in the keynote presentation of DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. and during the press conference.

HANDA Pilipinas is a nationwide initiative of DOST that promotes disaster preparedness and resilience. For Mindanao, the three-day event was conducted at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang, Davao City.

For more information about Project SARAI, visit https://sarai.ph/

16/10/2026

SARAI CeNTRO brought science, technology, and innovation closer to farmers and communities during the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in Western Visayas, held at the ABL Sports Complex in Aklan.

The SARAI Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations (SARAI CeNTRO) is a DOST-funded, PCAARRD-monitored initiative led by the University of the Philippines Los Baños in collaboration with DOST Regional Offices - which aims to deploy its developed systems and technologies across the country.

One of the highlights of the RSTW was the drone demonstration for agricultural monitoring. Using aerial imagery, farmers and agricultural stakeholders can better monitor crop conditions and assess fields to support timely, informed farm management decisions.

SARAI’s mobile applications, including SPIDTECH for pest and disease identification, and BANATECH for estimating banana harvest dates, were also featured during the exhibit. The CL-SEAMS, which utilizes satellite imagery, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for crop monitoring and agricultural assessment, was likewise showcased.