The Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) conducted the 2026 Technology to People (T2P) Media Conference in the province of Tarlac on 28 July 2026.

The said conference is a response to the possible consequences of this year’s El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) weather pattern, and focused on agricultural technologies that will help the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector protect and strengthen their livelihood  during the harsh weather condition.

The conference included the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines-Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations (SARAI-CENTRO), a program managed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños that delivers science-based crop monitoring, localized weather tracking, and data-driven farming advisories nationwide.

The conference also included the Automated Furrow Irrigation System (AFIS) that uses smart field sensors, solar power, and motorized valves to apply exact amounts of water to crop rows precisely when needed. The system cuts down heavy physical labor, reduces water waste, and lowers energy costs compared to traditional manual flooding methods.

The event also discussed the Nutrio biofertilizer, a patented, eco-friendly foliar spray biofertilizer developed by Dr. Virginia M. Padilla at the University of the Philippines Los Baños National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UPLB-BIOTECH).

The said biofertilizer contains beneficial endophytic bacteria that act as nitrogen-fixing organisms. These microbes convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms plants can easily absorb, while synthesizing plant growth hormones like Indoleacetic Acid (IAA) to boost shoot and root development.

The ENSO weather pattern is a recurring climate pattern characterized by three key phases: El Niño, La Niña, and Neutral. It involves shifting sea surface temperatures and atmospheric air pressure across the equatorial Pacific Ocean every two to seven years.

El Niño conditions are actively intensifying across the tropical Pacific, with forecasts pointing toward a strong-to-very-strong event persisting through the first half of 2027. Key indicators include a rapid surge in sea surface temperatures and a 97% chance of continuation.