Information Networking for Farmers and Farmers’ Groups The Philippine Strategy

1. Information Networking for Farmers and Farmers’ GroupsThe Philippine Strategy Presented by: Pamela Mariquita G. Mappala Philippines

2. Agenda • The Infrastructure for Information Networking • The Information Networking • The Knowledge Networking • Farmer’s Role in Information Networking • E-Extension Strategies for the future

3. The Infrastructure for Information Networking

4. The Interconnectivity • The National Information Network of the Department of Agriculture • Philippine Research, Education Government Information Network • Agriculture and Fisheries Research and Development

5. Information Networking

6. Existing R & D Information Networks • Horticulture Information Network (HORTINET) • Agricultural Machinery Information Network (AgMachIn) • Philippine e-Library

7. HORTINET Horticulture Information Network • one-stop-site of information on the Philippine Horticulture Industry, from production to marketing of world-class flowers and fruits • an expansion of the Mango Information Network (MIN) • a DOST/PCARRD and UNDP-funded project initiated in 1997 • URL: www.min.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph • online since 1998    

8. AgMachIN Agricultural Machinery Information Network • an info service that links existing info systems on agricultural machinery • provides the added value of networking arrangement among technical and working people for integrating their activities to facilitate the delivery of info services to target users. • URL: http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/cin/agmachin/default.htm

9. The Philippine e-Library • Recently operationalized, set up info kiosks not only at the colleges and universities but also at the government agencies. • Aims to integrate in a single portal all library and information collections of participating agencies using the existing infrastructure.

10. The Knowledge Networking

11. K-AGRINET • Knowledge Networking for Enterprising Agricultural Communities • Aimed to help modernize the agriculture sector and assist in helping the farmers come up with critical decisions to keep pace with the ever-changing global economy.

12. K-AGRINET Priority activities • Strengthen and maximize the use of extension models • accelerate the establishment and use of web-based courseware for other crops, livestock and fisheries • Promote distance learning • Interconnect government network infrastructure and facilities • Establish last mile connections

13. K-AGRINET beneficiaries • Local extension service providers • Agricultural technicians, extension agents, farmer-scientists, technical experts in different field units and other government and nongovernment organizations • Cooperatives, farmers, fishers and agri-based people’s organizations • Private sector • Agricultural traders and agri-business entrepreneurs and civil society

14. K-AGRINET Main Components • e-Agrikultura • e-Consortia • e-Farm • Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture

15. E-Agrikultura • To mobilize the social capital toward developing enterprising agricultural communities through the agrarian reform beneficiaries.

16. E-Consortia • To intensify the technology and knowledge generation and exchange among R & D institutions through improved ICT tools and applications

17. The 14 regional R & D consortia thru the Department of Science and Technology

18. E-Farm • Promotes knowledge-based e-commerce by initiating electronic based farm-to-market opportunities through the Farmers’ Information Technology Service (FITS) Centers and their respective farmer-scientists

19. The FITS Farmers’ Information Technology Service • ONE STOP INFORMATION SHOP of technology on agriculture, forestry & natural resources • Aims to empower the farmers, processors, traders and entrepreneurs by making info & technology services available during critical decision making on production, processing, trading & marketing activities. • a pool of experts in agricultural and natural resources renders appropriate services as well as in packaging of information and technology services for its clients.

20. Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OPAPA) • Focuses on e-extension and distance learning for agricultural extension workers and the farming and fishing communities as well. • Empowers extension workers and farmers by creating access to knowledge banks, distance learning opportunities and an open environment that links various stakeholders • An alliance of local, national and international organizations providing education, training and communication in agriculture.

21. Advisory Services Extension & Information Services Online Learning IEC S&T updates; Training; Demos Experts Online Diagnostic Tools Text-Based Query Email, Forum Audio/Video conference Production Guides Databases Directories Visual Resources Training Online Certification & Diploma program OPAPA Services

22. The OPAPA Concept WEB Portal Knowledge Banks Email SMS Forum Internet Cloud National Expert Int’l Expert Central Luzon Cluster Farmer Group Agr’l Technician Local Expert Mindanao Cluster

23. e-Agrikultura Centers • Website/portal • Knowledge banks • Online Courses • Email/Chat/ discussion board • SMS facilities e-Consortia e-Farm Centers (FITS) R&D info and knowledge inputs OPAPA OPAPA Learning Centers The K-AGRINET Components Existing Info Networks Philippine Rice Research Institute satellite stations Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Centers

25. The Farmers’ Role in Information Networking

26. The Farmer-Scientists of FITS • a network of outstanding farmers who demonstrate the successful application of S&T-based and indigenous technologies. These farmers actively participate as enablers, facilitators, or initiators in technology development and transfer process. • For a farmer-to-farmer advisory service

27. The Farmer-Scientists • act as resource persons during trainings seminars, field days, investment clinics, cross-visits, among others • provide technical assistance, hands-on training, and share experimental insights to on-farm visitors and other trainees • devote a certain portion of their farm as demonstration plot for their own on-farm trials • test/apply technological information learned from the seminars and cross-visits attended • influence other farmers in adopting his outstanding farm practices by sharing information, experiences, resources, and ideas.

28. To be an FSB Member • one should be selected as model farmer in his barangay. • uses innovative agricultural practices that consistently produced yields higher than his co-farmers • shares his know-how and offers his farm at no cost as an experimental demo site for the program.

29. The Agrarian Reform Communities • Now being trained on how to manage the e-Agrikultura Centers. • E-Agrikultura Centers are business conduits with income generating activities

30. Farmer-led extension activities • Practiced by the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Units • Farmers have active involvement in the extension activities of the government.

31. Women-led extension activities • Women are trained on various livelihood activities • Based on the concept that women’s participation in extension activities will help strengthen rural development strategies and food security of the nation.

32. Women-led extension activities • Through the technical assistance provided by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) to rural-based organizations • Aside from conventions and training courses, women members of the rural improvement clubs come to ATI to seek assistance in their livelihood projects.

33. The E-Extension Strategies for the Future

34. Farmers’ Call Center • Designed to supplement the existing efforts in the extension system • Aims to make available information directly to the farmers on equal opportunity basis as per their need from the experts themselves. • With structured and regular feedbacking as inputs for trend analysis, effectiveness of existing policies and procedures

35. E-Learning on Agriculture and Fisheries • Online courses are currently being developed through the Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture, which will be offered in 2007 • The ATI through its International Training Center on Pig Husbandry will commence their Online Course on Hog Raising in 2006.

36. Farmers’ Internet Bus • Old microbus is now being converted into a mobile internet bus, complete with flat monitors and servers in a thin client configuration, fitted with wireless radio transmitter, multimedia equipment, VSAT antenna, gps antenna, among others • To be deployed during the farmers’ field days

37. Improved communication and information access are directly related to social and economic development. For its effectiveness, end-users must appreciate them.

38. Thank you