Filipino Startup GreenVisionsPh Uses AI Soil Tool to Cut Farm Costs Amid El Niño Threat

A Mindanao-based startup, GreenVisionsPh, has launched an AI-driven tool to help Filipino farmers optimize fertilizer use and manage farm operations, aiming to significantly reduce costs and mitigate the impact of a severe El Niño, with potential benefits for regional food security.

Subscribe to newsletter

As the Philippines braces for a potentially severe El Niño that could significantly impact agricultural output, a Mindanao-based startup, GreenVisionsPh, is empowering farmers with artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize farm management. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecasts a strong El Niño developing into "very strong" conditions by October and lasting until January next year, prompting the Department of Agriculture to warn of a potential 20% to 30% reduction in agricultural yield. GreenVisionsPh's AI-driven farm management module offers crucial support by assessing soil conditions and guiding farmers on precise fertilizer application.

GreenVisionsPh Chief Executive Officer and founder Lorilyn P. Daquioag likens the system to a "mobile hospital for farms," where soil tests act as laboratory examinations and the resulting recommendations serve as prescriptions. This diagnostic approach helps farmers avoid wasteful practices, such as applying excessive fertilizer, which is particularly ineffective during El Niño conditions. The technology can determine if nutrients have been absorbed or remain in the soil, allowing farmers to delay unnecessary purchases and reduce costs.

Beyond soil diagnostics, GreenVisionsPh's Agricultural Intelligence and Monitoring System (AIMS) automates data uploads and helps farmers track critical operational aspects, including expenses, operations, accounting, and sales. This addresses a significant record-keeping gap among many agricultural operators, allowing for more informed decision-making. The company also offers microbial treatments like Enhanced Compost Activator Solution (eCAS) and Trichoderma (Trico+), which have reportedly helped farmers cut expenses by as much as 50% and achieve larger, healthier, and faster-growing yields.

The innovation from GreenVisionsPh provides a data-based approach to farm management, moving away from traditional practices that may not be sustainable under changing climate conditions. This aligns with broader efforts by institutions like the Philippine Statistics Authority, which recognizes the high demand for data on production costs and returns to help farmers and policymakers make profitable crop selections. By enabling farmers to reduce input waste and make informed decisions, this technology contributes to the resilience and food security of the Philippines.

For Filipino communities in New Zealand and Australia, developments in Philippine agri-tech, especially in the face of climate challenges, have implications for regional food supply and potential trade. This aligns with the long-standing efforts of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), which partners with the Philippines to foster research partnerships and technology exchange aimed at improving farming systems, including soil and water management. Such innovations contribute to the stability of the Philippine agricultural sector, benefiting consumers and potentially influencing the availability and pricing of imported Filipino goods globally.