The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) have formalized their collaboration to address agricultural drought through advanced satellite technology. The two agencies signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 16 December 2024 at the PhilSA office, marking a significant milestone in leveraging space data for agricultural resilience.
The partnership aims to produce rice-specific drought maps using satellite data, enabling precise agricultural planning and drought mitigation strategies. PhilSA will utilize rice maps and field data provided by DA-PhilRice to create these maps, ensuring targeted solutions for the country’s staple crop.
The agreement was signed by PhilRice Executive Director Dr. John De Leon and PhilSA Deputy Director General Denis Villorente, with key representatives from both agencies serving as witnesses.
This initiative aligns with PhilSA’s Satellite Mission Analysis, Planning, Product Enhancement, and Development (SatMAPPED) project, which uses space-based technologies to monitor and mitigate drought impacts. The partnership strengthens the Philippines’ capacity to adapt to climate-related agricultural challenges, ensuring a more resilient food supply chain.
With this agreement, PhilSA and PhilRice demonstrate a shared commitment to harnessing innovation for the benefit of the agricultural sector and Filipino farmers nationwide.