Agri-robotics: Operation, Mechanization and Robiotics

Presented by. Agriculture &. Robotics. Shaping the Future of Farming.

[Audio] . Presentation Outline. Agriculture, Status and Challenges Agriculture Operations and Machineries Agricultural Robotics Agri-robotics in the Philippines.

[Audio] Essentially, agriculture harnesses natural resources to produce food, fiber, and raw materials necessary for daily life and economic development.

[Audio] Bakit nga ba sobrang importante ng agriculture sa Pilipinas? Merong anim na main reasons. **Una, food security.** Agriculture ang backbone ng ating food system. Karamihan ng kinakain natin ay dito galing. Kung sustainable ang production natin, mas magiging self-sufficient tayo at hindi masyadong dependent sa imports. Napatunayan natin ito lalo na nung pandemic—kung walang farmers, wala rin tayong kakainin. **Pangalawa, livelihood and employment.** More than 50 million Filipinos sa rural areas umaasa sa agriculture para sa income nila. Isipin mo, one in every four Filipinos, nasa sektor na ito. Kaya sobrang critical siya for poverty reduction at rural development. **Pangatlo, economic contribution.** Agriculture contributes around 10% sa GDP at nagbibigay ng trabaho sa 23–30% ng labor force. Ibig sabihin, malaking bahagi talaga siya ng ekonomiya natin. **Pang-apat, export revenue.** Malaking kita ang galing sa agricultural exports tulad ng bananas, pineapples, coconut oil, at iba pang products na napupunta sa US, Japan, at Netherlands. Ito yung nagbibigay ng foreign exchange at nagpapalakas ng trade balance natin. **Panglima, raw materials supply.** Maraming industriya ang umaasa sa agriculture—food processing, textiles, manufacturing. Kung wala ito, hindi gagalaw nang maayos ang ibang sektor. At **pang-anim, suporta sa rural communities at social stability.** Agriculture keeps rural economies alive. Dahil dito, nababawasan ang migration papunta sa cities, at napapanatili ang kultura at tradisyon ng farming communities. Kaya kung titignan natin, agriculture is not just about producing food. It's the foundation of our economy, our food system, and our rural life. Kapag pinalakas natin ang agriculture, pinapalakas din natin ang buong Pilipinas..

[Audio] the Philippines has a total population of more than 113 million people, with a labor force of about 50 million. [Pause for emphasis] Out of these, around 12 million are agricultural workers. Ibig sabihin, malaking parte ng employment at ekonomiya natin, nakatali talaga sa agriculture. Now, let's look at the land. Merong 30 million hectares dedicated to agriculture. On average, bawat isang hectare at bawat agricultural worker kayang mag-support ng 9 to 10 people every year. [Pause] Pero kung ikukumpara sa global food security index, medyo mababa pa tayo—showing na may mga challenges pa rin ang sector in meeting our food needs..

[Audio] land fragmentation and limited access to modern technology.** Philippine agriculture is mostly made up of smallholder farms—averaging just 1 to 2 hectares. Highly fragmented siya, and because of that, mahirap mag-scale up at mag-mechanize. Many farmers still rely on traditional methods and don't have enough access to modern irrigation, high-quality seeds, improved crop varieties, or precision agri technologies. Ang resulta: mababang productivity. *\[Pause for a moment to let that sink in]* Next, **low productivity and mechanization barriers.** Did you know na ang crop yields natin lag behind by about 30 to 40% compared to our regional neighbors? The main reasons—over-reliance on manual labor, at mababang adoption ng mechanization and digital tools. On top of that, mataas ang input costs, at kulang pa ang supply ng quality seeds, fertilizers, and farm equipment. Naturally, this drags down productivity and farmer income. Then there's **poor rural infrastructure and high post-harvest losses.** Dahil kulang tayo sa maayos na kalsada, irrigation, cold storage, and grain storage facilities, farmers lose more than 30% of harvests—lalo na sa perishables. That means higher transport costs, limited market access for remote farms, and reduced farmer profits. In short, less competitiveness overall. Finally, let's talk about **aging farmers and youth outmigration.** Our farming population is getting older, habang ang kabataan, mas pinipiling pumunta sa cities for other opportunities. The result? A shrinking pool of skilled agricultural workers. This trend threatens the sustainability and modernization of our farming sector. *\[Pause, look around the audience]* So, when you put these all together—land issues, low productivity, poor infrastructure, and demographic shifts—you see just how complex the challenges are in Philippine agriculture..

[Audio] "To better understand what we can do to address these challenges, we first need to understand the basic agricultural operations."** *\[Pause to let the audience process]* Agricultural operations cover the fundamental activities needed to produce food, fiber, fuel, and other products. Dito pumapasok ang paggamit ng lupa, labor, equipment, at iba't ibang inputs. Some of the key tasks include: * **Planting** * **Cultivation** * **Harvesting** * **Livestock care** * **Equipment management** *\[Pause]* These activities are essential kasi sila yung nagco-convert ng raw materials into agricultural outputs. Now, kung titignan natin yung mismong ginagawa ng workers in agricultural operations, it's a very diverse set of tasks. They: * Operate machinery * Irrigate crops * Apply pesticides * Care for animals * Maintain farm infrastructure At the heart of all this is **effective farm management**. That means using resources wisely, increasing productivity, and most importantly, adopting sustainable practices—like soil conservation, precision agriculture, and efficient water management. *\[Pause, look at audience]* So, kapag naiintindihan natin itong basic operations, mas madali nating makita kung saan papasok ang improvements—at kung paano natin maisusulong ang mas productive at sustainable na agriculture sa Pilipinas..

[Audio] Let's see some of example of Agricultural operation"** **Una, plowing.** Ito yung proseso na nagbe-break up ng soil para mas madali sa roots na tumubo. *\[Pause here to let the audience visualize the process]* **Next is tilling.** This further refines the soil texture at nakakatulong din para ma-incorporate ang organic material into the soil. After that comes **adding fertilizers or soil amendments.** Dito naman pumapasok ang pagbigay ng essential nutrients na kailangan ng lupa para maging healthy at productive. Each of these steps ensures na yung soil ay nasa **optimal condition** to support healthy and robust crops. Remember, **soil health sets the stage** for everything else that follows in agriculture. So by understanding and practicing effective soil preparation techniques, we're basically laying down a **strong foundation for a successful growing season.** *\[Pause briefly, then gesture to transition to the next slide on planting]*.

[Audio] "As we move into the next stage of agricultural operations, let's talk about planting."** *\[Pause, smile at audience]* Ito yung stage kung saan tayo nagso-sow ng seeds or nagta-transplant ng seedlings sa lupa. Critical step ito sa buong growth process. *\[Pause for a moment to let this sink in]* Now, the key to successful planting is **following a specific schedule**—nakadepende ito sa crop type at sa local climate conditions. Kapag tama ang timing, mas mataas ang chance ng seeds to germinate and thrive. *\[Make eye contact with different parts of the audience]* And remember, planting is not just about simply putting seeds into the ground. It's a **thoughtful process** that sets the tone for the entire growing season. Every decision made at this stage—timing, spacing, even crop selection—can affect yield and overall success. *\[Pause briefly, then gesture to transition]* With that in mind, let's move on to the next essential step: **irrigation.**.

[Audio] [With a warm, welcoming tone] "Now, let's talk about irrigation, isa sa mga pinaka-essential components ng agricultural operations." Irrigation is basically about providing water to your crops. Ito yung nagsisiguro na may sapat na moisture ang mga halaman para sa consistent at optimal growth. [Pause briefly to let this sink in] Merong iba't ibang irrigation methods, at bawat isa ay suited sa specific crops and environments. Kaya sobrang important na piliin ang tamang method—not just to improve efficiency, but also to conserve resources. Some common examples are drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, at surface irrigation. [Pause, engage the audience with a glance or small gesture] Remember, effective irrigation is the key to maximizing crop yield and ensuring healthy plant development. Kapag tama ang strategy, agricultural productivity can significantly improve. [Emphasize this point with a firm tone] [With a friendly smile] Next, we'll dive into weed and pest control, another vital aspect of agriculture. So, stay tuned!.

[Audio] "Let's delve into the crucial role of weed and pest control in agriculture operations." [Say this with a steady, confident tone] First, weed control. Importante ito kasi weeds directly compete with crops for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Kapag hindi na-manage, they can severely affect crop yield. [Pause briefly to let this point resonate with the audience] Next, pest management. Equally important ito kasi pests can cause massive damage—either by feeding on crops or by spreading diseases. Kaya implementing effective pest control strategies is key para maprotektahan ang tanim at masigurado ang healthy harvest. [Pause here to emphasize the importance] When combined, weed and pest control are essential practices to maintain the health and productivity of agricultural fields. By integrating both, farmers can safeguard their investments and also improve crop quality. [Conclude with a confident and open tone].

[Audio] "Fertilization is a crucial part of our agriculture operations." Itong proseso na ito involves applying fertilizers or organic materials para ma-enrich ang soil. This provides the essential nutrients na kailangan ng mga halaman for proper growth. [Pause briefly, make eye contact with the audience] The key is making sure na tama ang balance ng nutrients na nakukuha ng plants. Kasi this not only promotes healthy growth but also optimizes crop yield. [Emphasize the importance of nutrient balance] Pwede tayong gumamit ng chemical fertilizers or organic alternatives, depende sa ating sustainability goals at crop requirements. [Pause to let the audience reflect on sustainable practices] By managing fertilization effectively, we are actually setting the stage for a successful harvest—na siyang next topic natin. Thank you for your attention!.

[Audio] Harvesting is all about timing and precision. [Pause briefly for emphasis] Ito yung proseso ng pag-collect ng mature crops or products at the optimal moment para masigurado ang highest quality and yield. [Pause] Pero tandaan, harvesting is not just about picking crops. It's really about maximizing the potential ng lahat ng pinaghirapan natin. [Pause to allow this concept to sink in] If we think about it, this phase is connected sa buong agricultural process—mula weed and pest control, fertilization, hanggang sa irrigation. [Adopt a slower, more deliberate pace here] At the end of the day, the precision during harvesting will directly affect the next stage—post-harvest handling—para masigurado na ang ating products ay handa for storage and distribution. [Take a short pause before transitioning] Now, let's move forward and explore what happens after harvest in the next slide..

[Audio] "After harvesting, napaka-importante na maayos na ma-treat at maihanda ang mga products para masigurado ang kanilang quality at longevity." [Pause for emphasis] 👉 Key point number one: Post-harvest handling involves preparing the products for storage, distribution, or further processing. Kapag maayos ang handling, nari-retain ang quality at nutritional value ng produce kahit during transit at storage. 👉 Second point: Effective post-harvest handling can greatly reduce waste. Kung mababawasan ang spoilage, mas marami sa mga crops ang makakarating sa consumers in optimal condition. [Pause to engage] 👉 Lastly, broader impact: Good post-harvest practices contribute hindi lang sa economic well-being ng farmers by maximizing returns, kundi pati na rin sa global effort to reduce food waste. [Emphasize] You see, with each agricultural operation, meron tayong pagkakataon to optimize, improve, and enhance our practices para mas mapalakas pa natin ang ating productivity. [Smooth transition] "Now, let's take a look at how technology continues to evolve—at kung paano ito tumutulong to aid and transform the agriculture sector..

[Audio] "The evolution of agriculture in the Philippines has come a long way — mula manual labor, to mechanization, at ngayon, integration ng robotics and AI." [Pause, smile at audience] 👉 Una, during Spanish colonial times, agriculture relied heavily on manual labor gamit ang simple tools at animal power — tulad ng carabao-drawn plow. [Pause briefly] 👉 Pangalawa, noong American colonial period hanggang post-World War II, nagsimula na ang mechanization. Tractors at threshers were introduced between the 1940s and 1960s, supported pa ng government infrastructure programs. 👉 Pagdating ng 1970s and 1980s, mas naging common ang small-scale mechanization gaya ng power tillers, na tumulong mag-boost ng productivity lalo na sa maliliit na farms. 👉 Ngayon, with digital technologies, robotics, and AI, agriculture is undergoing another transformation. [Pause to emphasize] Precision methods like drones and automated systems are improving efficiency, resource use, at pati decision-making sa farming. 👉 Robotics is now being tested for planting, harvesting, at pest control — directly addressing labor shortages at pati na rin ang challenges ng climate change. [Look around the room, softer tone] So makikita natin, step by step, nag-e-evolve ang agriculture. From carabaos, to tractors, hanggang sa smart machines and AI-powered tools..

[Audio] Robots take machinery further by adding precision, sensors, and AI." [Pause, look at the audience] Hindi na lang sila basta-basta machines na nag-ooperate — they can decide, adapt, and even learn. 👉 Agri-robotics refers to the use of robotic systems and technologies sa farming para ma-automate at ma-optimize ang iba't ibang tasks. These robots can perform critical functions like: Planting seeds Weeding Spraying pesticides Harvesting crops Soil analysis At pati environmental monitoring — all of these with minimal human intervention. [Pause to let it sink in] The main goals? ✔ Increase productivity ✔ Reduce labor costs ✔ Improve precision ✔ And promote sustainable farming practices [Smile, shift to a confident tone] So, in short — robots don't replace farmers. They empower them to do more with fewer resources, and to farm smarter, not harder..

[Audio] "Why should the Philippines pursue agri-robotics?" [Pause, look at audience] Marami pong compelling reasons. Let's go through them one by one. 👉 First, labor shortages. Alam naman natin — maraming kabataan ang lumilipat sa cities, at tumatanda na ang ating farming workforce. Robots can step in for repetitive and physically demanding tasks tulad ng planting, weeding, at harvesting. This way, farmers are less overworked and can focus on higher-value tasks. 👉 Second, productivity and yields. With sensors, AI, and machine vision, robots make farming more precise — from planting, fertilization, irrigation, hanggang pest control. Every input is used wisely, kaya mas healthy ang crops at mas mataas ang ani. 👉 Third, lower production costs. Kung dati puro manual labor, ngayon robots can automate those tasks. Resulta? Mas mababa ang gastos, mas efficient ang operations, at mas competitive ang Philippine agriculture. 👉 Fourth, sustainability. Targeted application ng fertilizers and pesticides means less chemical use, less waste, at mas protektado ang environment. This supports climate-smart practices na sobrang kailangan natin bilang isang climate-vulnerable country. 👉 Fifth, adaptability and resilience. With real-time monitoring tools, farmers can act quickly kapag may drought, pest outbreak, or sudden environmental change. This agility is key para matibay ang ating food security. 👉 And finally, innovation and economic growth. Agri-robotics doesn't just help farmers — it opens doors for new businesses, tech development, and even high-tech jobs in agriculture. Pwede nitong i-transform ang rural communities at itulak ang agri-sector natin into the future. [Pause, lean forward slightly for impact] So when we look at the big picture, agri-robotics is not just about machines. It's about modernizing agriculture, ensuring sustainability, and securing our food future..

[Audio] The Essential Elements of Robotics in Agriculture" [Pause briefly, look around] Let's talk about mechatronics in agricultural robotics. Basically, ito yung interdisciplinary integration ng mechanical engineering, electronics, computer science, at control engineering — all working together to create intelligent systems and robots that make farming more efficient, precise, and sustainable. Para mas simple: Mechanics → how things move Electronics → circuits and wiring Computer science → coding and programming Control theory → making sure everything works smoothly Kapag pinagsama-sama natin 'yan, we get systems that use sensors, actuators, control systems, and intelligent algorithms to automate tasks like planting, harvesting, weeding, pest control, irrigation, and even livestock management. [Pause, then emphasize with a confident tone] So in short, mechatronics is the backbone of agri-robotics — bringing together movement, power, intelligence, and control to transform how farming is done..

[Audio] 1. Automatic Systems "Automatic systems work like preset machines — naka-program na sila sa isang fixed sequence. Hindi sila nag-a-adjust kahit magbago ang conditions. Example, toaster: it will always pop your bread at the set time, kahit minsan sobrang light pa o masunog na. Sa agriculture, ganito rin: isang timer-based irrigation system or automatic rice cooker — it just follows the set program, hindi niya tinitingnan kung basa na ba ang lupa or umulan na." 2. Autonomous Systems "Autonomous systems go a step further. Kaya na nilang mag-decide on their own gamit ang sensors. Think of self-driving cars — nag-a-adjust ng speed or direction depende sa traffic. Sa farming, imagine a spraying drone. Hindi lang siya susunod sa fixed path. Nakikita niya ang obstacles tulad ng puno o kable, umiilag siya, at kaya rin niyang baguhin ang spray volume depende sa crop density. Resulta? Less waste, more efficiency." 3. Mechatronic Systems "Mechatronics is basically the marriage of mechanics and electronics. Gumagamit ito ng sensors, motors, at controllers para makumpleto ang isang task. Pwede siyang automatic or autonomous depende sa design. Example sa bahay: washing machine — it fills water automatically and spins at the right speed. Sa farming, isang automatic irrigation pump na nag-o-on kapag mababa ang soil moisture, at nag-o-off kapag sapat na, ay mechatronic. It uses mechanics (pumps, valves) plus electronics (sensors, controllers) working together." 4. Robotic Systems "Robots are advanced mechatronic systems. Hindi lang sila nakaka-sense at nakaka-act, pero kaya rin nilang gumalaw sa environment at makipag-interact physically with objects, minsan parang tao o hayop. Everyday example: robot vacuum. Nakakakita siya ng dumi, umiikot sa sala, at nililinis nang mag-isa. Sa agriculture, robots that pick strawberries or tomatoes work the same way. Gumagamit sila ng cameras para makita ang kulay at ripeness, arms para mamitas nang maingat, at navigation systems para gumalaw row by row. This is a big leap from just automation — kasi ito na ang intelligent action with mobility.".

[Audio] "The Main Parts of Agricultural Robots" So, when we talk about agricultural robots, meron silang core parts: First – Actuators. Ito yung nagco-convert ng electrical signals into physical motion. In simple terms, sila yung nagpapagalaw sa robot. Pwedeng electric motors, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. Kaya nilang gumalaw ng wheels, arms, spraying nozzles, cutting tools, and other implements. With actuators, robots can harvest, plant, spray, or even weed crops. – Sensors. Syempre, robots need "eyes and ears." Dito papasok ang sensors. They rely on different types like visual cameras, GPS or GNSS, LIDAR, ultrasonic sensors, infrared, and even machine vision systems. With these, nakikita nila ang environment—like location, obstacles, crop health, at soil conditions—so they can navigate and work on their own. Finally – Controllers. Kung baga, ito yung utak ng robot. They process input from the sensors and send commands to the actuators and end effectors. Controllers can be simple microcontrollers or advanced embedded computers. Dito nagaganap ang autonomous decision-making—whether it's navigation, spraying, or harvesting control. – End Effectors. Kung iisipin natin, ito yung parang "hands" ng robot. They're the working tools na nag-i-interact directly with the crops or soil. Pwedeng gripping fingers for fruit-picking, cutting blades for trimming, spray nozzles for chemicals, or needles for precise applications. Basically, sila yung gumagawa ng specific agricultural actions. At the end of the day, these parts work together in a modular system. Meaning, puwedeng palitan or i-upgrade ang sensors and actuators depending on the task. This integration makes agri-robots precise, adaptable, and ready for different farm conditions..

Agri-robotics in the Philippines. AGROTIS. AGROTIS.

[Audio] Developed by DOST- Advance Science and Technology Institute.

[Audio] Dr. Yanga's Colleges Incorporated in Bulacan.

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