IRRI and Philippine Agriculture Department mark successful completion of collaborative laser land leveling project

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE) will mark the successful completion of their collaborative project “Laser land leveling (LLL) for land use efficiency in the Philippines” during the 8th anniversary celebration of DA-BAFE.

One of the key highlights of the event is the ceremonial handover of the training manual “Laser-controlled land leveling for the Philippines” and an online course to DA-BAFE. The materials were developed by IRRI as references for future LLL equipment operators and trainers. 

The handover program will be part of the webinar “Laser land leveling and digital applications for smart farming” under the theme “Tulay sa pagsulong ng modernisasyon ng agrikultura sa gitna ng pandemya.”  The webinar, which will be led by scientists at IRRI’s Postharvest and Mechanization Unit, will feature laser leveling as a precision farming tool. Laser-guided technique for high accuracy field leveling is one of the DA’s key technologies for increasing rice production and promoting land consolidation in the Philippines.

DA BAFE, the department’s arm for engineering innovations, and IRRI collaborated on the initiative for strengthening LLL operation and management capacity as well as increasing the technology’s effectiveness. The project was implemented from October 2020 to April 2021. The key outputs of the project include: (1) online and offline trainings for BAFE and DA Regional Field Office Research, Development, and Extension  staff; (2) creation of LLL training manual and e-learning modules; (3) formulation of standards for LLL equipment operation, and evaluation in the Philippines; and (4) development of LLL digital tools. 

A series of webinars presenting BAFE’s programs, projects, and recent agricultural engineering innovations will also be part of the anniversary activities.

Delegates from local government institutions, the academe, and private-sector manufacturers and suppliers will attend the virtual program which will be streamed live on DA BAFE’s Facebook page. Interested participants may register through this link.

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