Activities

On November 14, 2024, the M3DAS project convened a strategic online consultation meeting to finalize the operational framework for the Negros Occidental Mill Districts. The session served as a critical touchpoint to ensure all field teams and administrative leaders are synchronized for the next phase of the project. The meeting was attended by a comprehensive group of stakeholders and project personnel, including: SRA-Visayas Leadership: Chief Agriculturist Ms. Ma. Lourdes Almodiente, Supervising Agriculturist Mr. Rex Jinon, Read more

The newly approved project, “Resource Field Evaluation and Spatial Analysis Using the M3DAS Web Application for Mechanization Assessment of the Sugarcane Industry,” has reached a major operational milestone. Designed to conduct a comprehensive survey of all machinery and implements utilized in sugarcane production nationwide, this initiative serves as a vital complementary project to the ongoing DOST-PCAARRD funded M3DAS program. Formal Commencement and Strategic PartnershipOn October 22, 2024, the M3DAS team attended a high-level inception meeting Read more

The extensive mission to establish baseline data across Mindanao reached its conclusion with the M3DAS team’s final leg in the Davao Mill District. This visit finalized the regional assessment, ensuring that the unique operational landscape of Davao del Sur is fully integrated into the project’s national database. Stakeholder Engagement & Field InsightsThe team facilitated productive Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with key local industry representatives to capture detailed insights into current farming methodologies and the state Read more

On October 7–8, 2024, the M3DAS team successfully conducted a series of institutional engagements and field consultations within the Cotabato Mill District. These activities were designed to secure local administrative support and capture foundational data from the region’s sugarcane sector. Institutional Advocacy and Courtesy CallsTo ensure a coordinated approach to project implementation, the team held formal briefings with key local and national agricultural offices, including: The Provincial Agriculture Office of North Cotabato The Municipal Agriculture Read more

In a significant stride toward completing its Year 2 implementation, the M3DAS project team conducted an extensive data-gathering mission across the provinces of Bukidnon, Cotabato, and Davao del Sur from October 1–11, 2024. The mission utilized a series of targeted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to engage directly with: Block Farm Leaders: Gaining ground-level insights into diverse sugarcane farming practices. Mill District Development Councils (MDDCs): Aligning project goals with regional industry standards and administrative data. Strategic Read more

From October 1–4, 2024, the M3DAS team conducted a high-priority field mission to the Bukidnon Mill District to lay the groundwork for Phase 3 operations. This visit focused on fostering institutional synergy and capturing direct insights from the local farming community. Institutional CoordinationTo ensure administrative alignment and robust regional support, the team paid courtesy visits to key agricultural leadership offices, including: Department of Agriculture (DA) – Regional Field Office 10 Bukidnon Provincial Agriculture Office DA Read more

The M3DAS project has officially entered the second year of its third phase, shifting its strategic focus to the key sugar-producing provinces of Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, and Cotabato. To ensure seamless implementation, the team convened a high-level online consultation meeting on September 25, 2024, with the Mill District Officers (MDOs) from the target regions: Mr. Johnny Z. Agsaoay, Jr. (Bukidnon) Mr. Resty R. Obiso (Davao del Sur) Mr. Rex P. Dumalaba (Cotabato) The meeting Read more

The focus shifted in the afternoon to the Annual Project Review, a formal evaluation of the project’s performance and trajectory. The review panel consisted of esteemed evaluators from: University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) DOST-PCAARRD: Including the Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) and the Office of the Executive Director for Research and Development (OED-RD). DOST VIII (Regional Office) This rigorous evaluation ensures that the M3DAS project remains on track to deliver its objectives, Read more

On September 5, 2024, the M3DAS team held a series of pivotal engagements at the Pongos Hotel in Ormoc City, Leyte, marking a significant milestone in data accuracy and project governance. Morning Session: Stakeholder Validation WorkshopThe day commenced with a comprehensive Validation Workshop designed to verify field data collected from the Ormoc–HISUMCO Mill District. This collaborative session allowed stakeholders to review preliminary data analysis, ensuring the project’s outputs align with the actual needs of the Read more

The M3DAS project is currently featured in the technology exhibit of ICTforAg 2024, hosted at the D.L. Umali Building within the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños. ICTforAg 2024 is a premier global forum that unites agrifood system stakeholders, technology experts, and decision-makers to harness the power of information and communication technologies (ICT) for transformative agricultural change. This year’s theme, “Localizing Impact,” emphasizes the development of digital solutions that address specific, ground-level challenges. Read more