A PEST control project developed by the Central Luzon State University has secured funding from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development.

Dubbed “Monitoring and Management of Major Pests and Diseases of Corn and Onion through Robotics and Drone Technology,” the project aims to collect the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index through remote sensing.

It also aims to produce crop monitoring systems that will help farmers avoid income losses caused by pests and diseases.

“The reflected intensities of visible and near-infrared lights will be used to determine crop health and assess crop condition, and photosynthetic activities. Moreover, it will also focus on identifying and addressing pests and diseases in onion and corn crops in selected sites in Nueva Ecija and Tarlac,” CLSU said.

It said that P10 million will be allocated to the project through the DOST’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division under the Manila Economic and Cultural Office-Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Cooperation Scheme l.

Meanwhile, CLSU will collaborate with Dr. Ping-Lang Yen of the National Taiwan University to employ drones and robotics, equipped with powerful multispectral cameras and sensors.

The initiative will run from April 2023 to March 2025. It will be led by the head of the Institute for Climate Change and Environmental Management Dr. Gella Patria Abella.