Precision Ag for Asparagus
Production in Southern Philippines
Paisar Gadiaware
Why Asparagus? High value crop High variable input
costs Laborious High profit potential American managed
company
Management System..Growership Dole Company Fertilizers,
pesticides, & technology
Grower Land and labor
Weaknesses of the Technology
1. Only two experimental areas for the ~3,000 acres plantation.
2. Limited soil samples3. Uniform recommendations Fertilizer Limestone Pesticides
Problems…Excessive N application Additional fertilizer costs Low quality products Additional foliar fertilizers Increased pH Water pollution
Problems cont.Weeds The most costly
field operation. Cannot use
herbicide.Pop density Missing hills
Problems cont.Requires weekly
spraying of fungicides
Health hazard High labor cost High pesticide
cost
So what? More soil sampling Delineate and establish more
experimental areas Vary recommendation accdg. to
soil/farm condition.
What about HI-Tech? NDVI sensor? Variable rate applicator? Aerial photometry? Satellite imagery?
Questions?
