This document outlines information networking strategies for farmers in the Philippines. It discusses existing information networks like HORTINET and AgMachIN and knowledge networks like K-AGRINET. K-AGRINET aims to help modernize agriculture through strengthening extension models, distance learning, and connecting government infrastructure. The document also discusses farmers' roles in information networking through farmer scientists in FITS Centers and e-Agrikultura centers. It concludes by discussing future e-extension strategies such as a farmers' call center, e-learning courses, and a mobile internet bus to improve farmers' access to information.

1. Information Networking
for Farmers and Farmers’
Groups
The 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. OPAPA Services
Extension & Advisory Online IEC
Information Services Learning
Services
S&T
Experts Online
updates;
Diagnostic Tools
Production Training;
Text-Based Query Training Online
Guides Demos
Email, Forum Certification &
Databases
Audio/Video Diploma
Directories
conference program
Visual
Resources

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

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