During the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) visit to the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, they determined possible collaborations to amplify the Philippine Rice Information System or PRiSM.
PRiSM, or the rice paddy monitoring using satellite, is a first in Southeast Asia.
Rice fields are monitored nationwide with the help of earth-observing satellite technology and geographic information systems. Data from this serves as a guide to deliver appropriate and prioritized release programs. The data also helps prepare our farms for the threat of disasters.
Through its data products, PRiSM supports the DA in its strategic planning, decision-making, development project implementation, and disaster preparedness.
Those who shared knowledge and country experience included Pia Francesca Ang, agricultural specialist of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service; Justin Jenkin, USDA crop assessment specialist for Southeast Asia; Michael Ward, agricultural counselor of the Foreign Agriculture Service; John de Leon, PhilRice executive director; Jovino de Dios, PRiSM unit head; and Lea Abaoag, head of our Technology Management Services Division.