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Locally-developed app allows farms to save 40% on chemicals

By Christine Cudis

June 28, 2022, 7:08 pm

<p><strong>INNOVATING AGRICULTURE.</strong> Project ROSANNA, a mobile application, helps in early detection of diseases in banana plantations such as Black Sigatoka or Banana Bunchy Top Disease. The University of Southeastern Philippines-developed mobile app has helped cut the chemical use of a banana plantation by up to 40 percent.<em> (Screengrab)</em></p>

INNOVATING AGRICULTURE. Project ROSANNA, a mobile application, helps in early detection of diseases in banana plantations such as Black Sigatoka or Banana Bunchy Top Disease. The University of Southeastern Philippines-developed mobile app has helped cut the chemical use of a banana plantation by up to 40 percent. (Screengrab)

DAVAO CITY—A locally-developed mobile application allows banana plantations to save up to 40 percent from chemical wastage.

Developed by the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Project ROSANNA or “Real-time Online Surveillance for Banana” aims to address problems on the prevalence of agricultural diseases such as Black Sigatoka that affects the banana industry.

In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Science and Technology in Davao Region (DOST-11) said the agency funded the development of the application, which has already helped local firms in tackling banana diseases.

For instance, DOST-11 said Hijo Resources Inc., a corporation with interest in agribusiness, managed to save up to 40 percent in chemical inputs in a portion of their 340-hectare banana plantation in Madaum, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Hijo “hopes to replicate the same results in another banana plantation in Agusan del Sur,” DOST-11 said.

The mobile application works by collecting banana data in the field through a QR code attached to a banana tree.

The data collected are then sent to the supervisor and manager to be processed and analyzed. This procedure helps determine the extent of damage caused by the disease and would serve as basis for fertilizer application.

DOST-11 said the project has contributed to the revival of the banana industry in the region, noting that it is one of Davao Region's primary economic drivers.

The Department of Agriculture's banana roadmap for 2017-2022 indicated that Philippine bananas and banana-related products should consistently meet world quality standards with good productivity, sustainable production practices, thus ensuring economic viability for its stakeholders. (PNA)

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