Activities

The M3DAS team invited key informants to conduct a focus group discussion (FGD). With close coordination with the Tarlac Mill District, representatives from block farms and planters’ cooperatives/associations were gathered last October 2, 2025 at the Central Azucarera de Tarlac in Tarlac City, Tarlac.The valuable insights from each representative were collected to create the preliminary profile of the sugarcane industry in the Tarlac Mill District. The gathered data include distinctive farming practices, operation and management Read more

A focus group discussion (FGD) was held in URC SURE CARSUMCO, Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Piat, Cagayan last August 20, 2025. The participants were representatives from different block farms, planter’s association/cooperatives, URC SURE Cagayan Robina Sugar Milling Company (CARSUMCO), and Sugar Regulatory Administration – CARSUMCO (SRA – CARSUMCO). This activity aimed to capture the distinctive practices, and available machines and implements used for sugarcane production to craft the baseline profile of the sugarcane industry in CARSUMCO Read more

As part of the implementation of M3DAS Project Phase 3, the team conducted an online consultation meeting with the Batangas, and Panay Mill District Officers (MDOs) last August 18 and August 19, 2025, respectively. MDOs from these provinces include Mr. Zyrus Oliver P. Montiel and Mr. Michael Kyle B. Romulo, MDOs from Batangas; Mr. Jeno V. Bechayda and Mr. Raymart B. Lasara, MDOs from Panay. Mr. Laverne C. Olalia, Department Manager III of Sugar Regulatory Read more

On August 22, 2025, the M3DAS project team conducted on-site interviews with two prominent progressive farmers in the Cagayan mill district. These interviews are a vital component of the project’s qualitative research, providing ground-level insights into how mechanization directly impacts farm productivity and management. Spotlight on Cagayan’s Progressive FarmersThe team visited two distinct municipalities to document varied farming scales and management styles: Mr. Pablo Abella (Tuao, Cagayan): Operates a family-managed sugarcane farm alongside his father Read more

From August 18–22, 2025, the M3DAS Project team carried out a series of strategic courtesy visits across the province of Cagayan. These meetings were essential for establishing the multi-sectoral support needed for the successful rollout of the project’s third-year implementation in Northern Luzon. Building Institutional SynergyThe team engaged with key leadership across government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and the private sector to ensure a unified approach to agricultural data collection: DA – Regional Field Read more

The M3DAS Phase III Project has officially kicked off its field operations for Year 3, with Cagayan serving as the first stop in the Luzon Region. Currently underway in Tuguegarao City, the team is conducting an intensive training program to mobilize a new cohort of enumerators and coordinators. Equipping the Digital Field ForceThe training is designed to transition Cagayan’s data collection from traditional methods to a sophisticated, paperless system. Participants are undergoing comprehensive sessions on: Read more

The M3DAS for Sugarcane project took center stage at the DOST National Research and Development Conference (NRDC), held at the historic Manila Hotel. The conference, which runs until July 24, 2025, features a high-level assembly of oral presentations, breakout sessions focused on the four pillars of DOST, and a comprehensive technology exhibit. The Innovation: Real-Time Mechanization IntelligenceThe Deployment of Mechanization Resources Mapping, Monitoring, and Data Analysis System (M3DAS) was highlighted for its ability to bridge Read more

On July 2, 2025, the M3DAS project hosted a specialized technical workshop titled “Data Resource Mapping using QGIS” at the UPLB-BIOMECH headquarters. The session was designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical agricultural engineering applications. Broad Academic ParticipationThe training saw a diverse group of 21 intern students representing eight premier academic institutions across the Philippines: Mindoro State University – Main Campus Central Bicol State University of Agriculture – Pili Campus Laguna State Read more

On June 30, 2025, the M3DAS project marked a pivotal milestone with the official commencement of its third and final year. A successful online inception meeting was held to synchronize efforts for the next phase of the mission, which shifts its focus to the key sugarcane regions of Luzon. New Study Sites for Year 3The expansion into the third year brings the project’s digital assessment tools to the following mill districts: Cagayan Tarlac Pampanga During Read more

As the M3DAS Project successfully closes its second year of a three-year implementation timeline, the project team extends its deepest gratitude to the dedicated Enumerators across the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Your exceptional hard work, resilience, and commitment have been the backbone of our data-gathering initiatives. Whether navigating remote terrains or troubleshooting technical challenges in the field, your efforts have directly contributed to building a more data-driven future for the Philippine sugarcane industry. The Path Read more