An upgraded mobile application is improving how rice farmers identify and manage weeds, a persistent issue that can reduce yields if not properly addressed.
The eDamuhan 3.0 app, developed by the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), allows farmers to take a photo of a weed’s leaf or flower and receive the species name along with management recommendations.
According to scientist Dindo King M. Donayre, eDamuhan technical expert, the upgrade “addresses a long-standing issue in rice farming,” where uncontrolled weeds can reduce yields by up to 40% in irrigated fields, 60% in direct-seeded areas, and as much as 90% in upland farms.
First introduced in 2015, the improved version now includes a database of 1,430 weed and plant species and uses enhanced recognition technology that can identify weeds with up to 98% accuracy, Donayre said.
In Maguindanao del Sur, farmer Hanan K. Abedin said that after three years of using eDamuhan, his harvest increased from 4 t/ha to nearly 7 t/ha, while production costs dropped by 40%.
Donayre, who also leads PhilRice’s SMART Farm Program, said the upgraded app includes “Gabay sa Tamang Paggamit ng Pestisidyo,” which provides guidance on safe handling and storage of pesticides, as well as recommendations on which herbicides to use depending on crop stage and weed type.
He added that navigation has been improved through redesigned icons and smoother transitions, making the app easier to use. The app can also function offline, allowing access in areas with limited internet connectivity.
Donayre said further updates are being prepared, including local language support, iOS compatibility, and improvements to the user interface to expand access and usability.
