BAGUIO CITY – The Saint Louis University Industrial Engineering students, “Team AgilitIE” together with their adviser, Engr. Maria Lourdes A. Bibit-Chee presented the final output of their project entitled “Plant-Abay: A Digitalized Scheduling System for the Process Optimization of Greenhouse Production of Romaine Lettuce at Reinzi Natania Farm” recently at the PSTO-Benguet Conference Room.
The collaborative project was conceptualized by the Benguet Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO Benguet) in partnership with the SLU IE team “AgilitIE” and SETUP Cooperator, Reinzi Natania Farms to digitize the farm’s production process towards Smart Agriculture. This is the first such initiative by the DOST in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Regional Director Nancy Bantog of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-CAR) expressed her deepest appreciation to the SLU IE students for their support to smart agriculture. “We cannot do away with ICT and information systems as it continues to shape how we do things. It is here to stay and we thank you for helping us establish the first such infosys in CAR.”
She also commended PSTO Benguet for heeding her challenge to look into how the DOST-CAR can improve agriculture through science, technology and innovation (STI) and level up farms towards smart agriculture.
For its part, the PSTO-Benguet has adapted high value commercial crops (HVCCs) as its industry niche, Benguet being the salad bowl of the Philippines. This initiative is the first step towards showcasing the benefits of smart agriculture in Baguio City-Benguet.
Meanwhile, Bantog also praised Jaime and Josephine Sab-it of the Reinzi Natania Farms for their receptiveness and support to STI. “It is because they are open to science, technology and innovation that we are all gathered here this afternoon. Without their support, this project would not have materialized in the first place”, she added.
The Team AgilitIE student researchers are: Julianne Irish O. Ancheta, Allysa Jane C. Baccay, Jeri Mae M. Baculo, Hazel P. Contaoi, Patricia Clarice A. Marcelino, Marie Eugenie M. Marvil (DOST Scholar), Carmi Adel P. Nituan, Eiden Mae C. Peralta, Juliane Kheil S. Reyes, and Alexandrian A. Tria. By DOST-PSTC Benguet
