John Vincent B. Toribio and Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

A month ago, farm managers and project leaders of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) manually recorded and analyzed agriculture-fisheries data for decision-making. The process would usually take them a week or more. 

Now, with the newly launched web-based system dubbed MMSU e-Farms, they are able to process data with just a single click. 

Launched by the Knowledge Management (KM) unit of the Planning Directorate, the e-Farms facilitates easier information retrieval for the university’s research, extension, and business directorates through its information systems and data analytics tools. 

Dr. Bobby Eclarin, KM Unit chief, said the development of e-Farms used emerging technologies on internet devices, big data analytics, sensor-based monitoring, and smart farming management system to ensure fast, accurate, and evidence-based decision-making. 

“With the vast farmlands of the university, the web-based system will assist us in more efficient data management of our agri-fishery activities to support data-driven decision-making,” he shared. 

Said digital platform includes the farm machinery management system; crop management and production system; farm products, supply, and material inventory management system; livestock and fishery management system; integrated data analysis and reporting system to support data-driven decisions; Internet of Things on soil nutrient, moisture and field temperature monitoring for informed decision-making; and offline server-based WiFi monitoring and evaluation system using Raspberry Pi. 

Other embedded components are the use of solar-powered water supply for piggery and poultry, with an initial set-up in the Nagbacsan area in Batac campus; and field monitoring and assessment using autonomous underwater vehicles and closed-circuit televisions as additional layers of security.

To use the online platform, farm managers and project leaders must create their own accounts and register. Then, they have to upload data from their respective project activities which will, then, be analyzed. Generated results will be used by the top management in its decision-making interventions. 

The development of e-farms is in line with MMSU’s Php 2 million-project on the “Establishment of Data Analytics Infrastructure for Improved Health and Agriculture Monitoring and Reporting towards Government Digitization” which was funded through its General Appropriations Act. 

The project also includes the development of the infirmary medical and dental record management system.

During a virtual pre-training orientation with farm managers, project leaders, information technology specialists, and other officials of the university last January 18, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis said the initiative is in support of the university’s goal of realizing effective and efficient management and in becoming a Philippine smart university.

Spearheaded by the KM Unit, the project is in collaboration with the Information Technology Center, College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Computing and Information Sciences, the Department of Agricultural Sciences of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development – Department of Agricultural Sciences, College of Engineering – Department of Computer Engineering, and the Research, Extension, and Business Directorates. 

This initiative is in support of Republic Act 10601 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization Act that underscores efficient and economic farm and fishery management. (StratCom)

-With reports from Kimberly Miguel