The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE) utilized space science and technology applications (SSTA) for the Farm-to-Market Road and Agricultural Commodity Geodatabase and Remote Sensing Application Phase I or the DigitalAgri project. 

DigitalAgri Phase I is a joint initiative that established a monitoring framework using satellite technology for vital infrastructure and staple Philippine crops, specifically corn and onion This creates an innovative, data-driven support system for the agricultural sector. The collaboration was formally launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in February 2024, aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to establish and digitalize a national Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) network plan. 

For Filipino farmers, these advancements mean better-monitored road networks that help reduce delays and lower transportation costs, enabling faster and more efficient delivery of goods to market. At the same time, more precise crop mapping allows the government to design and deliver targeted support and interventions that respond directly to the specific needs of local farming communities. 

By showcasing that satellite data can be translated into actionable information, the DigitalAgri Phase I project marks a milestone in helping build a better and more sustainable foundation for the country’s food security and national development through space technology. 

Dr. Ariel Blanco, PhilSA Space Information Infrastructure Bureau Director, thanks the participants for attending the close-out activity and emphasized the real-world benefits of space science technologies to our lives (27 November 2025).

The project results were presented during the close-out activity held on 27 November 2025 in Quezon City, where participating agencies reviewed key outcomes focusing on their main research goals: assessing the feasibility of using commercial satellite images to monitor FMRs, and developing accurate mapping methods for corn and onion.    

Throughout the project, PhilSA and DA-BAFE conducted field surveys in Nueva Ecija, Ilocos Norte, and Pampanga to collect ground data, technical workshops on data collection methodologies for the project’s partners, performed fieldwork validation activities, and acquired Very High Resolution (VHR) satellite imagery from three commercial providers: BlackSky Global (BSG), Pleiades Neo (PNEO), and Skysat. 

Engr. Ainalyn Nerves, Project Technical Specialist of the PhilSA Space Data Mobilization and Applications Division, reports on the FMR Monitoring using Commercial VHR Images feasibility study (27 November 2025).

The use of VHR satellite images and remote sensing for FMR monitoring proved to be accessible, efficient, and cost-effective. A hybrid monitoring approach is recommended, blending traditional and satellite-based monitoring for optimal cost-effectiveness. Monitoring methodologies and a simple Graphic User Interface (GUI) were also developed for operational use.  

FMR Monitoring graphic user interface developed by PhilSA.

Satellite images can show how healthy crops are by measuring how plants reflect light. As crops move through different stages from early development to maturity, changes in plant size, leaf coverage, and overall appearance can be observed in satellite data. By combining different indicators from these images, researchers can track how crops grow over time. Scripts were developed to automatically generate crop maps for specific dates within the study period. 

For the crop mapping, the generated corn data will be used to fill geospatial database gaps, supporting more comprehensive studies for a more resilient, sustainable agricultural landscape. With onion mapping, researchers enhanced mapping accuracy by developing two methodologies that integrated spectral and terrain data. Further information can be extracted in the future, such as crop yield, growth stages, and disaster impacts. 

Spectral signatures of onion compared to other crops.

Example of an onion map utilizing Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite bands, biophysical indices, and terrain variables.

The results, methodologies, and digital tools from DigitalAgri Phase I are being finalized for turnover, with its integration to the GEOAGRI dashboard system of DA-BAFE as the next step.  

PhilSA will continue to provide technical support following the technology transfer, and all of the resulting information will be made available to other government agencies, the academe, and stakeholders nationwide. 

Participants of the DigitalAgri Phase I close-out activity on 27 November 2025.

Arlo Sabuito, Science Research Specialist of the PhilSA Space Data Mobilization and Applications Division, delivers the overview of methodologies, results, and challenges encountered in Corn Mapping (27 November 2025).

Engr. Arnel Tenorio, Interim Chief Engineer IV of DA-BAFE, showcases the Corn, Onion, and FMR data in the GEOAGRI Dashboard (27 November 2025).

Ms. Lourdes Bonifacio, Chief Administrative Officer of the DA-BAFE Administrative and Finance Division, delivers the closing remarks (27 November 2025).