A young Filipino student has developed a mobile app that helps farmers reduce crop loss by using AI technology to monitor farm risks.
AGRICONNECT PH, created by 22-year-old Aldrin “Soj” Gamayon, helps farmers detect early signs of crop stress before serious damage happens.
Gamayon, a fourth-year student at Ateneo de Manila University, was inspired by his family’s farming struggles and an overseas internship. He saw firsthand how farmers, including his uncles, faced problems with unpredictable weather and pests.
Most farmers rely on experience and visual signs to check crop health. However, by the time plants show signs of stress, only about 30% of their value can be saved. AGRICONNECT uses AI to detect problems early, helping farmers protect up to 90% of their crops.
The app works with smart sensors placed in the soil to measure moisture, water levels, and pest activity. The AI system analyzes this data and alerts farmers, so they can act quickly.
To make it easy to use, AGRICONNECT has a stoplight system:
🔴 Red – Urgent action needed within 12 to 24 hours
🟡 Yellow – Caution advised
🟢 Green – Conditions are good
“Farmers don’t need to understand the tech; they just need to know what to do,” Gamayon said in an interview.
In 2024, agricultural losses in the Philippines reached ₱58 billion (US$1.01 billion) due to droughts, typhoons, and plant diseases. Gamayon hopes his app will help reduce these losses.
AGRICONNECT is set to launch in 2026, with a goal of reaching one million farmers by 2030. The project has already won the Red Bull Basement competition and is supported by Microsoft, Plug and Play, and Ateneo Blue Nest.
Gamayon sees AGRICONNECT as a farming partner, not a replacement for traditional methods. “We want to work alongside farmers and support them,” he said.
Source: iottechnews
