The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it is studying smart farming technologies from China to boost efforts in modernizing Philippine agriculture.

In a statement, DA Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the need to determine technologies that can be adapted in the Philippine setting or conditions.

“There’s nothing wrong with copying the success of others if it will help others,” he said.

Tiu Laurel made the statement following their visit to the Zhejiang Huihong Fruit and Vegetable Farm in Zhejiang province in China on Aug. 24. The farm is under Zhejiang Huihong Biotechnology Co. Ltd., which was founded by Zheng Yunyu.

Agriculture officials examined the use of digital systems on the farm, which help monitor crops and manage farm operations. These integrate environmental monitoring, water and fertilizer management and real-time production data.

They also toured the farm’s greenhouses and examined cultivation practices, including green protection and precision management techniques for fruits and vegetables.

The two parties also discussed the farm’s industrial operations, quality control and ecological planting models, as well as potential cooperation.

Areas of potential cooperation cited are transfer of technology, industry partnerships in precision agriculture, crop protection, and ecological farming for fruit and vegetable production.

Tiu Laurel said the Philippines must not “shy away” from learning and adopting these approaches.

“We have to modernize agriculture, and we have to find the right technology that will allow us to leapfrog,” he said.

The DA is eyeing China’s smart farm technology as a potential model to improve the management of water, fertilizer, growing conditions and production data. (PNA)