News Release

BASF Digital Farming launches xarvio® SCOUTING in the Philippines

• Filipino farmers to access world’s number one in-field agronomic problem identifier
• Instant photo recognition of local weeds, pests, and diseases in key regional crops
• Supports better agronomic decision-making, increased crop productivity and fosters more sustainable farm operations
   

Cologne, Germany /Manila, Philippines – BASF Digital Farming GmbH, part of BASF Agricultural Solutions Division, has officially launched its xarvio® SCOUTING smartphone application (app) to support farmers in the Philippines.

The app, which is free to download and use, is available in English, Tagalog, and Cebuano, has been specifically configured to identify local weeds, pests and diseases impacting regional crops such as rice, corn, potato, and tomatoes. xarvio® SCOUTING will enable growers and crop technicians in the Philippines to instantly detect in-field pest and disease threats via photo recognition, and recommend BASF solutions to address identified problems, thus helping to optimize crop production and support sustainability.

xarvio® SCOUTING uses an advanced plant modelling platform powered by live algorithms, which can precisely identify unknown weeds, diseases, insects, and calculate leaf damage by simply taking a picture with a smartphone. The app subsequently provides impartial product recommendations to help manage the identified problem. A unique community-based radar function also allows farmers to see threats in surrounding fields and notifies them once a threat is close to their area, so they can act.

Saving time spent on scouting expeditions and increasing growers’ and crop technicians’ access to detailed and beneficial information, xarvio® SCOUTING is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, automated, agronomical problem identifier available globally. It is currently used by more than five million people across 120 countries, with these numbers growing daily. 

“Many farmers in the Philippines are looking for new ways to improve crop health and yield, while at the same time lowering inputs and supporting sustainability. xarvio® SCOUTING provides farmers with a free, convenient, and proven way to achieve these goals. We are confident xarvio® SCOUTING will be well received and used, which will further enhance its accuracy and deliver positive results,” says Manolo Sambrano, Head of BASF Agricultural Solutions in the Philippines.

xarvio® SCOUTING is part of a suite of precision digital products provided by xarvio® Digital Farming Solutions. The xarvio® SCOUTING app is free to download and use from the Google Play or Apple app store. Further information is available at www.xarvio.com.

About xarvio® Digital Farming Solutions a brand by BASF Digital Farming GmbH 

xarvio® Digital Farming Solutions is at the forefront of the digital transformation of agriculture, optimizing crop production. xarvio® offers digital products, based on a global leading crop model platform, which deliver independent, field-zone-specific agronomic advice that enables farmers to produce their crops most efficiently and sustainably. xarvio® products SCOUTING, FIELD MANAGER and HEALTHY FIELDS are being used by farmers in more than 100 countries. xarvio® FIELD MANAGER is used by more than 62,000 farmers (total area of more than 10 million ha) in 18 countries, and xarvio® SCOUTING is used by more than 5 million farmers and consultants. For more information please visit xarvio.com or any of our social media channels.

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2020, our division generated sales of €7.7 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.