By The Financial District
Nov 6, 20232 min
Four agri-tech solutions aimed at enhancing food productivity have been selected as the top projects for funding by the National Innovation Council Executive Technical Board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) under its 2023 Innovation Grants program.
A local onion cold storage facility in Nueva Ecija turned over in March this year. Photo: HVCDP PMO I Department of Agriculture Philippines
The four approved agri-tech projects are part of a total of 25 innovation projects approved by the board, with a combined funding allocation of PhP 100 million.
The leading project is the "Alternative Onion Storage System using Controlled Temperature and Automatic Air Flow Mechanism" from Occidental Mindoro State College.
This project involves constructing a warehouse equipped with an air blow storage system designed to extend the lifespan of onions.
Another approved initiative is "Project GeoMap: Geospatial Mapping and Information System for Precise Farming and Smart Agriculture" from Samar State University.
The third agricultural-focused proposal is "TABU: A Mobile Application as an E-Commerce Tool for the Agricultural Industry" by proponents from Eastern Visayas State University.
The fourth project, proposed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice), is titled "Artificial Intelligence for Impact-based Forecasting and Early Warning System for Inclusive Finance and Strengthening of Local Economic Development in Rice-Based Farming Communities."
NEDA stated that the 2023 Innovation Grants project aligns with efforts to promote local innovation in national development and sustainable economic growth, as outlined under the Republic Act 11293, also known as the Philippine Innovation Act.
This year's projects involved contributions from government agencies and offices, including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs).
The projects covered various fields, including agri-tech solutions, AR/VR education platforms, smart data-driven policies, disaster preparedness, and cultural heritage preservation, showcasing the creativity of Filipino innovation actors and the dynamic landscape of innovation across all regions, according to NEDA.