DOST Technologies Help Tarlac Sugarcane Farmers Double Yields Amid Looming El Niño

PANIQUI, Tarlac — As the Philippines braces for a strong El Niño event expected by October 2026, the government is advancing locally developed agricultural technologies to assist farmers in managing drought conditions while cutting production expenses. Two innovations funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) — the Automated Furrow Irrigation System (AFIS) and Nutrio, a microbial-based foliar fertilizer — have enabled sugarcane farmers in Paniqui, Tarlac, to more than double their crop yields while using less water and fertilizer.

The AFIS employs soil moisture sensors, irrigation flow models, and automated controls to precisely deliver water according to crop needs. Unlike traditional furrow irrigation, which loses a significant portion of water before it reaches plants, AFIS continuously monitors soil moisture levels and automatically initiates or halts irrigation accordingly. Marvin Cinense, director of the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT) at Central Luzon State University, noted that conventional irrigation wastes about 50% to 60% of applied water and depends on diesel-powered generators, which increase production costs. He added that AFIS saved nearly 47% of water compared to conventional systems using power generators.

Each AFIS unit, installed starting in 2024, is powered by a three-horsepower pump capable of irrigating three to five hectares of farmland. To date, five units have been deployed across Tarlac, Negros Occidental, Cotabato, and Batangas.

Nutrio, developed by researcher Virginia Padilla, is a microbial-based foliar fertilizer containing beneficial microorganisms that enhance soil fertility, stimulate plant growth, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers. A 100-gram pack costs around P350, with about 20 packs recommended per hectare mixed with 1,000 liters of water. Beyond sugarcane, Nutrio is also applicable to rice, corn, vegetables, and other crops.

Marlon Gamboa, chairperson of the North Cluster Producers Cooperative and a sugarcane farmer, reported immediate reductions in fertilizer costs after adopting Nutrio. He explained that urea fertilizer currently costs about P3,000 per sack, but with Nutrio, he spends significantly less. Previously applying eight bags of synthetic fertilizer per hectare, Gamboa now uses only four bags supplemented with Nutrio. He emphasized that synthetic fertilizers were not completely eliminated but substantially reduced.

The cooperative, which has over 100 members, has seen widespread adoption of Nutrio, with some members also applying it to rice and other crops. Before using these technologies, sugarcane yields averaged between 40 to 50 tonnes per hectare. Since adoption, yields have increased to approximately 125 tonnes per hectare.

Gamboa expressed confidence that combining Nutrio with the solar-powered AFIS could help farmers better withstand the adverse effects of El Niño. He encouraged fellow farmers to embrace innovations that improve productivity and lower production costs.

Under DOST’s Industry Level Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (iCRADLE) Program, the combined use of AFIS and Nutrio has produced sugarcane yields reaching up to 178 tonnes per hectare and sugar yields of 1.86 liters per kilogram of cane. The technologies also enhanced crop growth, with average sugarcane height increasing from 327.87 centimeters to 362.53 centimeters. Additionally, average stalk weight rose from 14.22 kilograms to 18.23 kilograms per 10 stalks, and stalk diameter increased from 26.44 millimeters to 40.94 millimeters.

Researchers estimate that these technologies can boost farmers’ production by 20% to 30%, offering a promising solution for improving agricultural resilience and profitability amid climate challenges.