MONTEVISTA, DAVAO DE ORO | September 28, 2026 — The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), through its Pesticide Regulations Division (PRD), in collaboration with the FPA Davao Region, engaged rice farmers in discussions on the safe and judicious use of pesticides through Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) during a stakeholder activity held at D’Fortees Cafe and Restaurant in Montevista, Davao de Oro on September 16, 2026.
The activity provided rice farmers with relevant technical and regulatory information on the responsible use of agricultural drones for pesticide application, while also creating an avenue for discussions on pest and disease management in rice production.
The FPA discussed Memorandum Circular No. 25, Series of 2024, and provided participants with relevant regulatory information on the requirements and guidelines for using pesticides through RPAS. The discussion aimed to help farmers better understand the regulatory considerations for using agricultural drones in pesticide application.
A partner private company also conducted a technical discussion on the Safe and Judicious Use of Pesticides through RPAS. The presentation provided practical information on responsible pesticide application and key considerations for using agricultural drones, emphasizing proper practices and compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
The activity also featured a discussion on Pest and Disease Management in Rice led by Ms. Irish Joy Dapitilla, Project Assistant of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office XI (DA-RFO XI). The discussion provided participants with relevant information on common pest and disease concerns in rice production and appropriate management practices.
Beyond the technical presentations, the activity served as a venue for stakeholder engagement and consultation. The FPA conducted a structured survey among participating rice farmers to gather field-level information on their current practices, experiences, concerns, and challenges related to pesticide application through RPAS. The survey results, along with insights from discussions and participant interactions, may help inform the FPA’s ongoing regulatory and technical initiatives.
The engagement also allowed the FPA to interact directly with rice farmers and better understand the realities and challenges of adopting agricultural drone technology in rice production. The information gathered may support future technical assistance, regulatory initiatives, and capacity-building activities promoting the safe and judicious use of pesticides through RPAS.
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Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Online ISSN: 2815-1674
Published by the FPA Information and Communications Team
Writer: Xavier Albert B. Cendaña, Science Research Specialist II