𝗣𝗟𝗗𝗧-𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗧𝗜'𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺

DILIMAN, Quezon City – In a bid to advance agricultural initiatives and strengthen partnerships, the PLDT-Smart Stakeholder Engagement Team continues to support the Agricultural Training Institute’s (ATI) Digital Farmers Program (DFP). 

Since its launch in 2019, the DFP has served as a flagship partnership between ATI and PLDT-Smart aimed at advancing digital agriculture in the country. Through a ladderized approach, the program has been designed to equip farmers with knowledge and skills on how to use basic digital tools, including social media, climate and weather monitoring applications, as well as online payment options. This long-standing collaboration continues to evolve, ensuring that farmers remain competitive, cyber-smart, and resilient in a rapidly digitizing agricultural landscape.

To support this endeavor, the PLDT-Smart team provided connectivity support to the ATI, consisting of Turbo WiFi units, smartphones, load cards, and SIM cards for farmer training activities and to guarantee the smooth implementation of the program nationwide. These efforts reflect ATI’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering farmers with modern tools to thrive in today’s agricultural environment.

ATI Director Remelyn R. Recoter noted that through the DFP, the ATI trained 8,877 individuals to date, where 60% comprised farmers, while others were the youth and agricultural extension workers who assisted them in familiarizing themselves with the digital tools. Recoter further outlined the Institute’s plans for possible collaboration for the DA-REACH Program or the Deployment and Advancement of Responsive Extension on Agriculture for Community Holistic Development Program as the Department of Agriculture’s latest initiative on capacity building and field deployment to boost the delivery of agri-fishery extension services. 

This collaborative effort underscores ATI’s dedication to advancing digital agriculture, strengthening institutional partnerships, and promoting sustainable development. By working closely with PLDT-Smart, ATI reaffirms its mission to provide inclusive, innovative, and accessible technologies that empower farmers and transform agricultural extension services nationwide.