By Engr. Jay B. Laurino DOST officials and partner representatives mark the inauguration of CALABARZON’s first provincial Project SARAI...
By Engr. Jay B. Laurino
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| DOST officials and partner representatives mark the inauguration of CALABARZON’s first provincial Project SARAI Hub in Lucena City on October 12, 2026, bringing climate-risk monitoring and smart farming technologies closer to Quezon farmers. (DOST) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Unpredictable weather, potential pest outbreaks, and the threat of crop losses are placing greater pressure on Quezon farmers to make timely planting and production decisions. CALABARZON’s first provincial Project SARAI Hub, inaugurated in Lucena City on October 12, aims to address these agricultural risks by providing localized weather forecasts, crop advisories, and early-warning information to help farmers protect their harvests and livelihoods.
The facility was launched during the Regional Science and Technology Week celebration as part of the Department of Science and Technology’s efforts to improve agricultural productivity through research and innovation. Led by the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Project Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) provides scientific information to support farming decisions and climate adaptation.
Through the provincial hub, farmers and agricultural stakeholders are expected to gain access to localized weather forecasts, crop advisories, early-warning information, and technological guidance for agricultural planning. These services are intended to help producers determine appropriate planting periods, assess crop conditions, manage water and fertilizer requirements, and prepare for possible pest infestations and weather-related disruptions.
The project uses remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), automatic weather stations, and crop forecasting models to collect and analyze agricultural and environmental data. Information generated through these technologies supports crop monitoring, weather forecasting, and recommendations tailored to local farming conditions rather than relying solely on broader regional weather assessments.
DOST Quezon Provincial Science and Technology Office Director Maria Esperanza Jawili emphasized the importance of extending scientific resources to communities whose livelihoods depend on agricultural production. She identified Quezon's extensive agricultural sector as a major consideration in establishing a provincial facility capable of supporting farmers against climate-related challenges.
“As the largest province in CALABARZON, Quezon has significant agricultural potential. Through this initiative, we want to provide our communities with access to science-based information, technologies, and support that can help them make informed decisions and respond to climate-related challenges,” Jawili said.
For local government units and municipal agricultural offices, the hub is expected to serve as an additional source of technical information for monitoring agricultural conditions and identifying potential threats. Its forecasting and advisory capabilities may also support decisions on agricultural assistance, resource allocation, and preparations for environmental conditions that could disrupt farming activities.
Jawili underscored Quezon's importance as one of CALABARZON's major agricultural producers, noting that scientific technologies could help address challenges affecting farming communities. She explained that the initiative would prioritize agriculture by making research-based guidance and climate-response information more accessible to farmers and other agricultural stakeholders.
“Sabi nga po, ang Quezon sa Calabarzon ay ang agricultural basket po, so tututukan po ng SARAI hub ‘yung ating agriculture. At the same time, we will know how important agriculture is not only in our economy, here farmers and agricultural stakeholders can also access ‘yung science-based information, technologies and decisions that will help them make informed decisions and climate-response,” Jawili added.
Beyond agricultural monitoring, the SARAI Hub will be integrated with an innovation hub designed to connect researchers, students, entrepreneurs, and agricultural stakeholders in developing solutions suited to local needs. The facility is also intended to encourage collaboration among academic institutions, technology developers, start-ups, and micro, small, and medium enterprises seeking to translate scientific research into practical applications.
DOST Quezon is implementing the initiative under its Agham na Ramdam advocacy, which seeks to make science, technology, and innovation more responsive to community needs. The newly established provincial hub is intended to expand access to agricultural forecasting, crop management information, and research-based technical support for farmers and local government units across Quezon Province.
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