Lala, LANAO DEL NORTE—The Agricultural Training Institute- Regional Training Center X has introduced the latest component of the Digital Farmers Program (DFP) in Lanao del Norte, called the DFP Farm Tech Package of Technology.
The DFP Farm Tech of Technology offers a portable training resource to communities, allowing farmers organizations and LSAs to bring DFP to remote areas in their respective municipalities. DFP Farm Tech will provide access through connectivity, access to technology, and other agricultural resources.
To prepare for the deployment of the FarmTech Package, ATI-RTC X held a Training of Trainers on DFP for 30 farmers-youth members of Barangay Raw-an Farmers Association (BARFA) from May 22-24, 2024, in Raw-an, Lala, Lanao del Norte.
The training aimed to equip the participants with the knowledge of digital tools such as smartphones, social media platforms, and agricultural apps to guide them in their daily farm activities.
The module includes basic use of smartphones, internet safety, basic and advanced agricultural digital tools and apps, social media marketing, e-commerce, and online payment transactions. The training consisted of 80% simulation and hands-on activities and 20% lecture.
It implemented a learning-by-pair approach, pairing youth and farmers to help each other learn faster. Participants were also required to submit a social media marketing plan and a social media poster.
Julieto Labarda, a participant of the training, expressed hopes for more farmers to be given the chance to learn about these agricultural apps and social media platforms, as they are very helpful in identifying pests and diseases and could also aid in marketing products.
The FarmTech package will be handed over to BARFA in the 3rd quarter of 2024. The DFP is a partnership between DA-ATI, PLDT, and its subsidiary Smart Communications.
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