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On September 4, 2024, Mary Grace Gasco, the founder and CEO of SpaceCrop, a company originally from the Philippines, visited the Szent István Campus of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) in Gödöllő. The purpose of the meeting was to explore potential collaborations between MATE and SpaceCrop, focusing on the technical details and conditions for future partnerships.

SpaceCrop is an innovative technology company that develops AI-based irrigation systems for the agricultural sector. These systems can detect early signs of soil moisture stress and send immediate alerts to farmers. While producers are generally aware of necessary measures, SpaceCrop’s forecasts provide crucial insights into upcoming weather conditions, greatly contributing to more effective decision-making in farming practices.

Facilitated by the Embassy of the Philippines in Manila, discussions between Mary Grace Gasco and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) revealed that the country is keen to launch international programs. There is significant potential for collaboration, particularly in the context of the Philippines' agricultural modernization efforts.

In 2022, SpaceCrop conducted tests across ten pilot sites in Hungary, covering a total of 108 hectares with various crops, including apples, corn, lettuce, kohlrabi, carrots, and tomatoes. This provides an excellent opportunity for cooperation with MATE, particularly in monitoring research areas and providing technological support.

​​​​​During her presentation, CEO Mary Grace Gasco showcased SpaceCrop’s achievements to date and outlined potential areas for collaboration with MATE. The company is primarily seeking technological support from the university in soil irrigation, drought management, and technical assistance, along with data collection, evaluation, and access to university resources. Moreover, SpaceCrop aims to validate its developments based on Hungarian data.
Building on the success of previous programs between SpaceCrop and MATE, the possibility of a three-party collaboration has emerged. This partnership would focus on Agriculture 4.0 technologies and smart irrigation systems. The next steps include further professional consultations and the identification of potential projects.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants began discussions to define the specific areas of collaboration. Professional talks are already underway between MATE's Institute of Crop Production Sciences and SpaceCrop to establish the framework for the partnership, with a shared goal of promoting cooperation with space agencies in the field of “agrospace.”

The meeting was attended by Dávid Békési, Director of International Relations at MATE; Gergő Péter Kovács, Deputy Director of the Institute of Crop Production Sciences; and Gábor Milics, Head of the Department of Precision Agriculture and Agri-digitalization. Also present was Mátyás Jávor, Deputy Ambassador of Hungary’s Manila Embassy.

Mary Grace Gasco pursued her higher education in Hungary through the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program. With her company based in Hungary, she enjoys the support of various international organizations, including the European Space Agency. As a goodwill ambassador, her mission includes deepening relations between Hungary and the Philippines in the field of precision agriculture linked to space research.