CENTRAL Luzon State University (CLSU) is closing in on its 2026 completion target for a drone-based monitoring project that maps pest and disease outbreaks in corn and onion farms.
Under the Pest D-Tech Project, researchers use aerial imagery to detect early signs of crop stress before infestations spread.
The system relies on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) mapping, a method that gauges plant health by measuring how leaves reflect light, to spot areas showing irregular growth or damage.
Data is gathered through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multispectral sensors, which capture detailed snapshots of farmlands.
These images are processed using Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) software, which translates them into color-coded maps highlighting zones that may require pest control or further inspection.
Led by Gella Patria Abella, head of the Institute for Climate Change and Environmental Management, and Elaida Fiegalan, the team has completed two infestation maps covering selected municipalities in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.
These serve as guides for local agricultural officers, cooperatives and farmers in planning targeted interventions.
Launched in April 2023, the P10-million initiative runs until March 2026. It is jointly implemented with National Taiwan University (NTU) under Dr. Ping-Lang Yen, through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) Joint Research Program, with oversight from PCAARRD.
In its next phase, CLSU plans to integrate data from Taiwan’s unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) with the Philippines’ drone imagery to enhance accuracy and build a more comprehensive pest-monitoring system.