REGIONWIDE - The Agricultural Training Institute of Central Visayas (ATI-CV) completed the eight batches of the Digital Farmers Program (DFP) in collaboration with DFP Training of Trainers (TOT) graduates and Learning Sites for Agriculture of the center, opening the way for the improvement of farming through digital technology.

The eight batches of DFP Roll-out were conducted in the region on the following dates: (1) September 10-11, 2022 at Don Alberto’s Farm Rice-Based Farm, Sitio Centro, Matin-ao, Carmen, Bohol; (2) September 20-21, 2022 at Municipal Plant Nursery, Sitio Saksak, Brgy Mercedes, Poro, Camotes Island Cebu; (3) September 29-30, 2022 at FITS Center, Cogon Sur, Loon, Bohol; (4) October 04-05, 2022 at Office of the City Agriculturist Compound, Bais City, Negros Oriental; (5) October 5-6, 2022 at Municipal Social Hall, Sogod, Cebu; (6) October 05-06, 2022 at Mama Benyang's Restaurant, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental; (7) October 13-14, 2022 at Mabinay Spring Function Hall, Mabinay, Negros Oriental; and (8) October 27-28, 2022 at Amlan People Center, Amlan, Negros Oriental.

The focus of the two-day training was on using cell phones as an additional tool in farming practices by using mobile applications for area measurement, weather forecasting, spotting pests and diseases, and social media promotion of goods and services. 

“In two days, sa training akong nakat-onan ang correct use of smartphone, how to check sa panahon pinaagi sa Payong Pag-asa, pinaagi sa Spitech mga sakit sa pananom makahibalo kung unsay angay buhaton o itambal, Area Measurement Tool nakahibalo mi sa pagsukod sa distance sa area. Daghan kaayo mi nahibaloan, unta naa pay ing ani na training puhon. Thank you, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Loon ug ATI 7,” shared Ms.  Fe Bulilawa, a participant from LGU-Loon. 

A total of 160 participants composed of 10 farmer-youth tandem per batch completed the DFP course. With the help of their younger counterparts, the activity's tenured farmers will be fully immersed in utilizing social media to explore online goods and services, navigate various applications, and learn about various online products. 

“Learnings about how to post our products to social media or FB, how to put the details on our products, how to create marketing plans and how to take care of our plants on the farm. Thank you for this opportunity sir Arnie and sa ATI sad,” said Ms. Rosario Gaso, a participant from Amlan, Negros Oriental.

DFP is a project in partnership between DA-ATI at Smart Communications, Inc., started in 2020, DFP continues to help farmers grow their businesses through digitalization and increasing their online presence.