ICT Initiatives of the Philippines for Sustained Agricultural Development

Presented by Pamela Mariquita G. MappalaAgricultural Training Institute – Department of AgriculturePhilippines

ICT initiatives in the Philippines ICT in Agriculture Electronic Delivery of Extension

ServicesMajor ComponentsThe e-Extension MilestonesChallenges and Opportunities

Many organizations have utilized ICT to enhance their programs and services.

Several ICT infrastructures are continuously being put up to provide access particularly in the rural areas.

The Philippine Government has enacted laws, development plans and strategic roadmap and is planning to put up additional facilities/ offices to strengthen the ICT capability of the country.

Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture & Fisheries Modernization Act Mandated the optimal use of ICT in

bridging the research, extension, the farmers and the market.

Department of Agriculture initiated its ICT-related services through its bureaus and attached agencies according to their mandates and specializations.

Aims to enhance and institutionalize the e-Extension system in agriculture, fisheries and natural resources for optimal application, utilization and exchange among users and partners.

Involves a network of institutions that provide a more efficient alternative to a traditional extension system

Launched only in 2007

Empowered stakeholders With alternative means to acquire new

knowledge and skills on farming and fishing technologies

Reduced costs on education and training Optimized use of resources

Enhanced delivery of programs and services Organized repository of information

integrating and harmonizing all related initiatives

www.e-extension.gov.ph/elearning In partnership with research

institutions to develop courses on agricultural production technologies for various commodities

With the use of the internet, computers for closed group sessions, other media for school-on-the-air programs

Online coursesOffline closed group sessions –

through the e-Learning OfficesBlended courses (with face to face

interactions)

**Through the 17 e-Learning Offices with 37 e-Learning

coordinators

Agricultural production technologies – crops, livestock, marine and fisheries

Social technologies – agricultural marketing, training management, extension concepts, strategies and approaches, among others.The e-Learning courses are

designed to be highly interactive in nature – with photos, videos,

games, puzzles in the lessons to sustain the interest of the

learners.

Enrollees65%

Graduates35%

TOTAL: 2,400 registered users

Period covered: Dec 2007 to August 2009

School-on-the-Air or the University-on-the-Air Program Uses radio as a medium for training and

sharing knowledge on A & F technologies

Incorporated to the e-Extension Program

For farm and business advisory services through the use of ICT Text Support Center Farmers’ Contact Center ATIiNteractive and e-Learning forums E-mail through the e-Extension support

Text Support Center catered to all queries under agriculture & fisheries, including the programs & services of the Department of Agriculture via short messaging system (SMS).

Rice128

Corn20

HVCC*99

Livestock28

Fisheries18

Fertilizer Mgt15

ATI programs & services

40Scholarships

63

e-Learning1021

Others138

SMS hotline no. 391-DA or 391-32

Level 1Call Center Agent(with agriculture background)

Level 2Experts from the Department of Agriculture

Level 3Agricultural Scientists / Experts from other institutions

E-commerce for entrepreneurs engaged in agriculture and fisheries.

Still in development stage

New program, more challenges Technological limitations to meet all

requirements of the e-Extension Program Acceptability and adoptability to new

modes Mobilization of some organizations for

their involvement High expectations from the clientele,

with the assumptions that everything is in place.

ICT can include other media mixes through School-on-the-Air program (interactive chats, online forum, and SMS messages).

State universities may require students to take any e-learning course, who will soon be extension workers.

E-Extension Program has become a tool for knowledge sharing as more stakeholders are being involved.

ICT Infrastructure is being managed by private sector, enabling us to focus on content development.

Considering the previous efforts of other agencies that focused on ICT-related services, the e-Extension Program for

Agriculture and Fisheries has evolved and is continuously evolving based on the trends that are being established along the way.

In the context of ICT-driven development, PEOPLE are still the

center of development.

www.e-extension.gov.phwww.ati.da.gov.ph