DILIMAN, Quezon City – In a move towards transforming the agriculture into a modernized, efficient, and more responsive sector, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) has forged a strategic partnership with Globe Telecom, Inc. to revolutionize farming practices through digital solutions.
This is in addition to the existing digital agriculture initiatives of the Institute such as the e-Learning for Agriculture and Fisheries, Digital Farmers Program, Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service, Farmers’ Contact Center, and Techno Gabay Program, among others.
During the ATI’s 37th anniversary celebration, various areas for potential collaboration were presented, which aims to leverage technology to address challenges in agriculture while fostering innovation and knowledge-sharing among farmers, fishers, and agri-entrepreneurs nationwide.
Specifically, the partnership encompasses several projects including the following:
Digi Agri Hackathon
The Digi Agri Hackathon project aims to harness the creativity and expertise of the Filipino youth in developing initiatives anchored on digital agriculture solutions. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, this program seeks to build a network of digital agriculture advocates committed to advancing the sector's digitalization.
Creation of Knowledge Bank
The Knowledge Bank initiative will integrate the ATI’s digital learning content into the Globe’s online library. This repository will house a wealth of resources including how-to videos, technology guides, success stories, publications, and social media content aimed at empowering agricultural stakeholders with valuable insights and practical knowledge.
Content-sharing for This isKwela Facebook Community
The partnership will facilitate the dissemination of agri-based content through the This isKwela Facebook Community. ATI's how-to videos, technology guides, success stories, and other social media content will be shared to foster knowledge exchange and community engagement within the digital agriculture ecosystem.
Technology Support to Farmers and Fishers
Under this collaboration, farmers and fishers will receive essential information and communication technology (ICT) tools and devices to enhance productivity and efficiency. Recipients will come from the different Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSA), Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers, and farmer cooperatives, serving as hubs for technology adoption and skills development, particularly among young farmers, women-led agribusinesses, and entrepreneurial groups in the agricultural and fishery sector.
In 2023, the ATI and Globe Telecom have started this collaboration for technology support for farmers and fishers, where over one million worth of mobile data devices and load cards were provided to selected LSAs and FITS Centers across different regions in the country.
Moreover, the ATI and Globe Telecom are committed to work closely on other learning and capacity-building efforts in digital agriculture this year.
In his message during the anniversary celebration, Globe Telecom’s Stakeholder Engagement and Management representative Jim Akut II, affirmed their team’s support to the Institute’s vision of innovating, collaborating, and achieving success in uplifting the lives of the Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.
“We look forward to 2024 as we are set to formalize our partnership by signing a Memorandum of Agreement that will allow DA-ATI to tap into Globe Group’s ecosystem,” Akut said.
This strategic partnership between the ATI and Globe Telecom, Inc. underscores a shared commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in the sector. As digital agriculture continues to gain momentum, these joint projects are intended to create better opportunities for the present and future generations of farmers in the Philippines.
