The Computer Software Division (CSD) of the Department of Science and Technology-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) recently hosted a two-day Gul.ai Project End-User Training programme.
The end-user training, held at the University of Rizal System (URS)-Tanay Campus, was designed to provide URS representatives and students with essential knowledge of the Gul.ai System’s features and functions, while also raising awareness and appreciation for crop growing enabled by Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Gul.ai, an innovative project led by DOST-ASTI, aims to address the country’s food security by addressing the waning interest of Filipino youth in agriculture. The Gul.ai Project aspires to build a sustainable fusion that secures future food security by encouraging the younger generation to investigate the integration of ICT with agriculture.
CSD Chief Joanna Syjuco emphasised that the Gul.ai R&D project is a one-of-a-kind endeavour that combines agriculture, crop science, ICT, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI).
They hope to involve Filipino youngsters in the study and practice of agriculture, as well as inspire a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs and technologists, in addition to contributing to the growth of agriculture in the Philippines.
Gul.ai promises to provide teachers and students with the ability to design experiments on small crops using an information technology-enabled system that uses the aeroponic method of providing nutrients to plants.
The team hopes that by giving students hands-on experience with the Gul.ai System, they will be encouraged to experiment with various methods of crop cultivation in the future. Hands-on demos of the Gul.ai system allowed visitors to traverse the application and experience its functions, with a particular emphasis on the Platform module.
Franz de Leon, Director of DOST-ASTI, expressed his support for the Gul.ai Project and emphasised the importance of capacity-building activities such as this training. He emphasised the importance of AI as a tool to be used to its full potential. He also conveyed his persistent confidence and praised the attendees’ passion and inquiry.
He went on to say that he is confident that the information and skills they have gained would allow them to make a positive effect in their various professions and contribute to the progress of agriculture in the Philippines.
DOST-ASTI takes an important step towards nurturing a new generation of agricultural innovators by empowering Filipino youth through the Gul.ai Smart Farming R&D Project, ensuring the nation’s future food security.
Further, the CSD Research and Development group conceptualised and proposed the Gul.ai project as a research and development initiative. Through the installation of a portable and automated phenotyping platform, the project intends to promote to Filipino youth the study and practice of agricultural and crop science, as well as its fusion with ICT.
It is intended to demonstrate the application of IoT technology to plant phenotyping via remote and automated platform operation. It will also demonstrate the application of AI and statistical analytical approaches to the examination of the phenotyping platform’s generated multivariate datasets.
The results of such a study could be utilised to create plant growth models. Users will be able to determine ideal plant-growing conditions for certain plants by experimenting on the site.
AI algorithms analyse historical and real-time data to predict crop yields accurately. Farmers can use these insights to optimise planting strategies, adjust irrigation schedules, and plan for storage and distribution, ensuring maximum productivity and profitability.
At the same time, AI accelerates crop breeding processes by analysing vast amounts of genetic data. It helps identify desirable traits, predict plant performance, and expedite the development of new crop varieties with improved yield, resilience, and nutritional content.
