The Training on Digital Farmers Program (DFP) Farm Learn with Drone Demonstration, conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA on June 1–5, 2026 at ATI-MIMAROPA, Barcenaga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, equipped 30 rice farmers with knowledge and skills in using digital tools and agricultural applications.
To formally open the training and inspire the participants, ATI-MIMAROPA Center Director Pat Andrew B. Barrientos delivered a message of support, encouraging them to embrace agricultural innovation and digital transformation.
He said, “Sana ang limang araw na pagsasanay na ito ay magsilbing inspirasyon sa inyo. Yakapin natin ang Smart Agriculture Technologies (SATs). Sama-sama nating patunayan na ang makabagong teknolohiya at masisipag na magsasaka ay susi sa isang masagana, ligtas, at matatag na sektor ng pagpapalay sa buong bansa.”
The DFP training started with digital literacy, covering smartphone use, internet access, mobile applications, and online safety. Participants also enrolled in an e-learning platform and completed at least one online course. They then learned SATs such as AccuWeather/Payong PAGASA, GPS Fields Area Measure, Plant Doctor, Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service, e-Damuhan, Leaf Color Computing App, Binhing Palay, and SpidTech.
In the succeeding hands-on sessions, participants were trained in e-commerce and digital marketing, learning to promote and sell agricultural products through online marketplaces such as Shopee and Lazada, as well as through social media. Using Canva, they created promotional materials and developed basic strategies to strengthen their online presence and branding.
Moreover, they learned the importance of using Maya for online payments and successfully created their own accounts to facilitate secure and convenient digital transactions.
One of the highlights of the training was the drone seeding demonstration, where a one-hectare rice field was planted using an agricultural drone, facilitated by Mr. Juanito S. Emiliano, Jr., Senior Drone Pilot from New Hope Precision Corporation. The participants were also given a briefing and hands-on exposure to drone operation to better understand its application.
To further support agri-enterprise initiatives, participants were introduced to various service providers, including a discussion on agri-lending programs from the Land Bank of the Philippines – Oriental Mindoro Lending Center, represented by Mr. Orlan Andrian C. Cueto, Acting Accounting Officer. They later developed a roadmap for applying SATs in their own farms.
Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Avelino Davalos, a farmer from Calapan City shared, “Tunay tayong mapalad na mapabilang sa pagsasanay na ito. Sa mga araw ng pagsasanay, nadagdagan ang ating kaalaman at lumawak ang ating pag-unawa sa mga makabagong teknolohiya at pamamaraan. Isang mahalagang oportunidad ito na ibinigay ng ATI upang tayo ay matuto at manatiling napapanahon sa mga bagong kaalaman at gawain na makatutulong sa ating pagsasaka at kabuhayan, anuman ang ating edad.”
