Drone spraying technology with Nativo, a leap towards convenient and revolutionary agriculture

Nativo, Bayer’s fungicide that offers heavier and cleaner grains, received full registration from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) for drone application on January 26, 2022 - the first ever crop protection product in the country to receive full registration by the FPA.

Last February 18, 2022, representatives from Bayer, drone service-provider AgriDOM Solutions Corp., and farmers in Brgy. Mangolago, Victoria, Tarlac came together to witness Nativo being sprayed over 20 hectares of rice fields for the first time after acquiring the full drone registration.

Drone spraying technology

The use of drone for farming is not entirely new. In the Philippines, however, farmers are yet to take full advantage of this technology. The number of benefits it poses remains relevant and could potentially revolutionize agriculture in the country.

The most prominent advantage is the labor and time efficiency it offers farmers. One of the features of the drone provided by AgriDOM is field mapping. The total land area to be sprayed is calculated by the drone. When the load is used up, farmers or technicians refill the tank and the drone automatically starts spraying where it left off. Not to mention the speed it takes to spray. It takes about 10 minutes in total to spray an entire hectare. With drone technology, farmers can save their time and focus on other activities in their field or in their homes.

“Nakita po namin kanina dito, noong nag-apply gamit ang drone, mas mabilis (ang spray time). Umabot lang ata halos ng limang minuto yung pag-apply dito (ng ½ hectare). Sunod, mas pantay yung paglagay ng Nativo kasi yung drone, naka-measure diyan kung gaano kalawak yung kanyang itatarget na i-sprayan sa palayan,” said Princess Shayne Arenas, Bayer Campaign Activation Coordinator.

Lorna Estrada, a farmer residing in Brgy. Mangolago, even testified that for rice farmers like her, having a drone to spray the pesticide for them will lighten their load. “Hindi na [kami] mapapagod na magbitbit ng knapsack sprayer. Sa drone, kahit nakaupo ka, okay lang. Mas malaking ginhawa sa aming mga farmer.”

Another rice farmer, Vivian Gamatan, shared her sentiments as well, stating that farmers like her and her husband could save up a lot of time if they will avail the drone spraying technology. According to her, it usually takes 3 to 4 hours to spray chemicals in their field, but with the use of the Nativo drone, it would only be within 5 to 10 minutes.

The use of drones to apply crop protection products also suggests more security to the farmers.

“Mas safe ito kumpara sa backpack sapagkat minsan, kung hindi kumpleto ang iyong suot na PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), baka may possibility na matamaan ka ng spray mist. Sa paggamit ng drone, nakakaiwas ang mga magsasaka na tamaan nitong spray mist sapagkat ang drone ang siya na lang mismong gagalaw at ang tao ay nasa malayo at ‘di sya matatamaan”, says Octavius Caesar Ebron, Head of Field Solutions Philippines. 

Lastly, farmers are given an additional option, whether to apply crop protection products via the traditional way of knapsack spraying or the more advance way of using a drone. “Mahalaga sya sa farmers kasi mayroong flexibility. Magkakaroon sya ng choice kung paano nya gagamitin ang Nativo. Pwedeng manual sprayer o kaya naman ay drone,” said Arenas.

Why Nativo?

Being situated in the Asia Pacific region and with rice as its staple food, it is important for the Philippines to offer technologies that will add value to farmers’ rice production. Nativo is one innovative product that offers heavier and cleaner grains when applied.

“Globally, Nativo has been proven. Sa iba’t ibang countries, tinest na po ang Nativo for drone use kaya naman kampante kami na itong brand na ito ay makakapagbigay ng ‘Heavier and Cleaner Grains’ na may mas efficient na paraan ng pag i-spray… gamit ang drone spraying,” said Pamela Gutierrez, Grower Marketing Manager for Rice.

Market Development Lead, Edward Limon shared that Nativo has 100% winrate not only in market development trials but also in farmers’ fields. “Heavier and cleaner grains [yung maibibigay] ng Nativo at sakto lang talaga na ito yung unang naregister dahil ito yung produktong nakakapagdagdag ng value, at nakakatulong sa mga farmers na ma-secure ang kanilang yield with or without the diseases,” he added.

Impact on agriculture and the youth

As we move through this digital age, it’s imperative that we keep up with different technologies and agricultural advancements to ensure that the country’s agriculture sector progress with time. BCS Philippines ensures to keep up with the growing needs of its stakeholders by exploring different digital tools and technologies that will not only make farming easier, but more sustainable as well.

According to New Business Activation Manager Aaron Cano, Bayer’s drone initiative supports the company’s goal of reaching 100 million smallholder farmers by 2030. Drones provide advancement in mechanization, resulting in faster and more precise crop applications that can extend to more farmers in a shorter amount of time. “Drones can also be considered as a tool in building a digital farming ecosystem where machines and data will play a vital role in helping our farmers mitigate risks to produce higher quality and more abundant yields,” he adds. 

“Usually, when we talk to farmers (aged) 50 to 60 years old, alam natin na napakabigat ng knapsack sprayer, napakahirap. 20 kilos ang knapsack at yung load. 10 tankloads per hectare. Yung mga tatay o lolo, sila mismo ang nag ii-spray. Mataas yung palay, malalim minsan yung putik. Alam natin na kapag may drone, napapadali ang trabaho para sa kanila. At siguro, this would entice the younger generation na ‘meron palang technology inclusion para sa kabataan, para sa next generation of farmers,’ para mas maging efficient at para mas mapadali ang agriculture for them,” said Limon.

This monumental event for Bayer CropScience Philippines is just the beginning of something greater. With sustainability and efficiency in mind, expect that more Bayer crop protection products will be registered for drone application in the future.

“Ever since before, we’ve already been using drone technology for seeding, with yung ating Arize seeds. But with this one, with our registration for drone spraying naman, it’s just the start. You can expect more brands aside from Nativo that will be registered for your drone spraying na magagamit din po ng ating mga farmers,” GMM Pamela Gutierrez stated.

This is a win for farmers, a win for the future of Philippine agriculture. 

Missed the Bayer OK Express Live Session on Nativo Drone application? Watch it here.