Internet facility for Mindanao farmers launched

By Rose Palacio

Davao City (22 October) — Department of Science and Technology (DOST) XI Director Madel Moran-Morados and Mobile Information Technology classroom project manager Dr. Edmundo Prantilla said an Internet-Enabled Training facility for farmers and entrepreneurs was launched Thursday (Oct 20) at Marilog Davao City to provide internet access and IT to farmers and other stakeholders in Marilog district.

The government saw the need to provide access on IT for farmers and remote entrepreneurs to be more competitive and use ICT in making business abroad.

In response to the agriculture extension workers and farmers’ needs for ICT, Open Academy program director Roger Barroga, in his speech during the launching, said internet cafes are easily accessible.

Barroga said ICT’s helps workers and entrepreneurs overcome their initial fear of the technology and jumpstart their learning on ICT.

“The government is now bringing ICT access to remote areas for farmers to be able to have access on the latest information on agriculture”, he said.

Group of farmers were trained by using the DOST’s Mobile ICT with built-in computers and modules. Hands-on experience on the use of computer from handling and manipulating the mouse to creating and saving documents then surfing and e-mailing the web greatly facilitated the agriculture extension workers and farmers learning process.

“We are already 10 years late in information,” said Philrice executive director and Open Academy chair Dr. Leocadio Sebastian.

“There is a great need to fast-track information dissemination on agricultural development especially the agriculture extension workers, farmers and entrepreneurs”, he added.

With Open Academy, farmers in Marilog district and its outlying areas can now download the latest information on rice and other crops with just a few mouse clicks.

Others who were present during the launching include: Christina Baluran (daughter of Councilor Conrado Baluran); Jun Evangelio of DOST XI; and other DOST staff. (PIA)