The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) are turning to satellites and artificial intelligence to help the government spot farm damage faster, improve irrigation planning, and protect food production from floods, droughts and other climate risks.

The agencies formalized a five-year collaboration to use Earth observation, geospatial information and space-based technology for agriculture, fisheries, disaster response, and climate-resilient planning.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the partnership would bridge the gap between what satellites see from above and what farmers experience on the ground.

PhilSA will provide satellite data and technical expertise, including the acquisition, processing and analysis of Earth observation information. The DA will gather field data, validate satellite-based assessments and integrate remote sensing, geographic information systems and climate and hazard monitoring into agricultural programs.

The DA plans to mobilize field validators nationwide to conduct ground-truthing of satellite-generated information on the ground, helping enhance the accuracy and reliability of satellite-based assessments. ### (Photos by DA – OSEC Comms)