Nativo drone commercially flies over Mindanao rice fields

According to Market Development Agronomist Dandy Deligiro, the modernization of technological practices such as drone spraying offers a more convenient and safer option for farmers. “Sigurado, tuwang-tuwa ang mga farmers natin dahil madali nang i-apply ang Nativo; through drone. Tapos malinis at mabibigat pa yung mga butil ng palay pag nakita nila later on yung resulta ng Nativo,” he adds. 

Deligiro also testifies that Nativo has already been performing well in different trials, not just in Mindanao but all over the country. Nativo secures farmers’ yield by offering heavier and cleaner grains if used during booting and 5% heading stages.  In fact, based on data from all the trials conducted in 2021, Nativo has 100%-win rate versus competitor brands -- significantly improving the farm yields in all these demo sites.

Buddy G. Tancontian, a representative from AgriDOM Solutions Corporation came to talk about the drone, its specs, how it will operate in the field, as well as the benefits of drone spraying. Agras T30 is a 30-liter drone designed to spray crop protection products over the (rice) fields. “Napakaraming benepisyo ang hatid ng drones. Isa na po diyan—health. Hindi na po exposed yung farmers natin sa harmful effects ng chemicals kasi malayo na po yung naga-apply ng [chemicals gamit ang] drone. Number two, hindi na kailangan ng 10 knapsack sprayers per hectare kasi nasa 16 to 20 liters per hectare ang application. Madali po ang trabaho ng farmers natin. Kasama po sa benepisyo nito ang consistency ng spraying; pag nagsimula [ang drone] ng spraying nya, yun din yung maii-spray nya papunta sa dulo ng farm. Parehas lang lahat. Also, yung mga unreachable areas, drones na po ang pupunta at magii-spray doon.”

For Engr. Dagaang, the event holds a significant meaning. He extends his gratitude for people who attended the drone spraying activity. “Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang araw na ‘to dahil ito’y magiging magandang alaala sa buhay ko kung saan nandito ang suporta ng Bayer Crop Science, at sa tulong ni Recher Ondap, Doc William, at Mark Ensong kung saan sila ang nanguna para sa partnership na ‘to.” According to Engr. Dagaang, his rice fields are planted with Bigante Plus Hybrid seeds, which are now treated with Nativo using the drone sprayer. Engr. Dagaang challenges other farmers to continue to work hard to achieve a bountiful yield and maintain healthy relationships with different agri-partners. 

“This is a remarkable event in our rice farming. The actual drone spraying is a showcase and a start of digital and precision farming in Mindanao. Our farmers will now have the option in utilizing new technology in application of crop protection, fertilizer, as well as direct seeding. As a result of effective and efficient application, cost is expected to be lower vs the traditional method. This addresses the labor scarcity concern,” says Recher Ondap, Bayer’s Key Account Manager for Government and Industrial. 

Ondap also adds that this event is a demonstration of Bayer’s commitment to smart agriculture, a paradigm shift in farming. “As for the agriculture industry, Nativo drone spraying is a big leap to help attain a food-secured Philippines, which means having sufficient quality rice at an affordable price; a full support on the government’s Masagana 150 and 200 program,” says Ondap.

Earlier this year, Nativo made history by being the first crop protection product in the country that received full registration for drone spraying in rice from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA). The first commercial drone spraying in the Philippines took place in Brgy. Mangolago, Victoria, Tarlac last February 18, 2022. 

Interested in applying Nativo using a drone sprayer? Message us HERE.