The FarmTech initiative of PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless arm, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), has empowered 43 farmer associations across the nation with a tech-based package designed to enhance their training programs, promoting technological adoption among the agricultural sector.

“We at PLDT and Smart continue to invest in our infrastructure and programs to provide meaningful connections to Filipinos across the country, furthering our livelihood and digital inclusion advocacies, especially for the agricultural sector,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

Under the broader Digital Farmers Program, the longest-running and award-winning digital inclusion program for farmers of PLDT, Smart, and DA-ATI, FarmTech is a tech-driven training kit designed to empower and equip farmer groups and extension workers in far-flung areas in their respective digital literacy programs for their farmer-members. With this, more farmers across the country will be able to harness the use of technology to level up their livelihood in agriculture.

“By integrating technology into the agriculture and fisheries extension system, we are strengthening resilience and enhancing responsiveness, while also enabling a broader reach for farmers to adopt innovative tools that can elevate their practices. Through the FarmTech component of the Digital Farmers Program, DA-ATI continues its mission to build a bankable, profitable, and empowered agriculture and fisheries sector,” expressed Remelyn R. Recoter, Director IV of DA-ATI.

In Lanao del Norte, Eufracio Espra, a 67-year-old farmer of Barangay Raw-an Farmers Association, realized that technology can improve productivity and reduce expenses through DFP. “Adopting new technology is crucial for better harvests and fewer expenses,” he said.

Each FarmTech package includes a tablet, 10 smartphones, a SmartBro pocket WiFi with Smart Prepaid load cards, an outdoor projector and projector screen, a rechargeable portable sound system, a flash drive containing multimedia resources and apps, and DA-ATI-developed learning materials.

Pablo Perbis of Matin-ao United Farmers' Association in Bohol expressed gratitude for the program. He shared, "As small-scale farmers, this support is invaluable. We are committed to maximizing the potential of these digital tools, and utilizing them to train our farmer-members to handle the digital advances, especially in farming.”

Farmtech is part of PLDT and Smart Communities, the shared value program of the PLDT Group that aims bridge the digital divide by leveraging technology as a transformative tool. The program recently marked its 21st year of championing growth through strategic partnerships in the areas of digital wellness, disaster resilience, education, inclusion, and livelihood.

PLDT and Smart’s efforts to promote inclusive technologies that boost livelihood opportunities among farmers and fisherfolk highlight the Group’s support for the government’s overall digitalization thrust. This is also in line with the PLDT Group’s efforts to help the country achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), especially UNSDG No.1 (No Poverty) and No.8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).