By Kenneth Marcos 
For farmers battling unpredictable weather and rising input costs, knowing exactly what fertilizer to use—and when—is more than just smart; it’s survival. That’s why the Department of Agriculture is pushing for digital innovations to help growers make better decisions and boost harvests.
On October 15, 2025, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) hosted a nationwide webinar titled “Decision Support Systems (DSS) for Soil Nutrient Management Towards Sustainable Crop Production.” The event was organized by BSWM’s Soil and Water Resources Research Division (SWRRD) and gathered over 1,300 participants through Zoom and Facebook Live. Within 24 hours, it had already reached more than 40,500 views online.
Digital farming tools take center stage
The webinar introduced cutting-edge digital tools developed by local experts to help farmers use the right kind and amount of fertilizer, depending on the soil condition, crop type, and local weather.
Dr. Karen S. Bautista, Chief of SWRRD, delivered the opening message on behalf of BSWM Director Dr. Gina Parde-Nilo. She stressed the importance of integrating soil data, crop needs, and weather information into farmer-friendly platforms, so decisions are based on science and not guesswork.
“We need to work together to protect our soil and water while feeding our people. These tools are designed to help you do that,” Dr. Bautista said.
Three powerful tools for better crop planning
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FertRight Mobile App – Ms. Maribel R. Jalalon, Chief of BSWM’s Laboratory Services Division, introduced this app which gives real-time fertilizer recommendations. Farmers just need to input crop and soil details, and the app will provide a customized plan.
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SARAI Project – Presented by Dr. Loucel E. Cui of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), this project uses weather data, satellite images, and predictive models to help farmers plan when and what to plant. SARAI, short for Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture, is already helping local farmers adapt to changing climate patterns.
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Nutrient Expert® – UPLB’s Mr. Jesse C. Descalsota explained this tool, which gives specific fertilizer advice for maize and cassava, and is also useful for crops like soybean and potato. Unlike generic advice, this tool considers location, soil health, and expected yield.
Call for continued digital adoption in agriculture
The event closed with a message from Ms. Angelita C. Marcia, Assistant Chief of SWRRD, who stood in for DA-BSWM Assistant Director Denise A. Solano. She urged farmers, agri-technicians, and LGUs to keep using these tools and share their benefits within their communities.
“These innovations are here for you. Let’s use them to make our farming sustainable, climate-ready, and more profitable,” Marcia said.
With climate change and food insecurity becoming bigger threats, the DA-BSWM’s efforts to promote digital decision-making tools could be a game-changer—especially for smallholder farmers who need to make every peso and every harvest count.
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