Women farmers in Northern Luzon are leading a technology-driven transformation. In a region where agriculture fuels local economies, women are leveraging tech to modernize their farms, boost productivity, and secure better incomes. With enhanced mobile and internet connectivity, they can now access digital tools to improve their market reach, update their farming methods, and help their fellow farmers.
For decades, rural farmers, especially women, have faced significant challenges such as limited market access and outdated farming techniques. However, with telco providers like PLDT and Smart expanding their network coverage to include agricultural communities, connectivity has become a key gateway to progress.
Maureen Blancad, a 36-year-old farmer from Cagayan, recalls how difficult it was to market their produce before strong mobile signal reached their community. "Noon, mahirap ang bentahan ng gulay. Pero ngayon, sa tulong ng social media, mabilis namin naibebenta ang aming ani. Minsan, sold out agad!" she shares. Through Facebook and YouTube, she promotes her farm’s harvest and educates fellow farmers on modern techniques.
Their empowerment has come largely through upskilling and education. Through initiatives such as the Scaling Up Sustainability program, by the Philippine Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA), GlobalGiving, and Corteva, in collaboration with PLDT and Smart, women farmers like Maureen are introduced to digital literacy programs tailored for farmers. These training sessions teach them how to maximize the internet and efficiently use online resources for weather monitoring, crop management, and direct-to-customer sales.
Arlene Lopez, owner of Lopez’s Integrated Farm School in Isabela, went from a landless worker to a farm school owner--thanks to years of perseverance and the robust connectivity in their area. "Napakalaking tulong ng internet. Kung may gusto akong pag-aralan tungkol sa pagtatanim, isang click lang sa Google, andiyan na lahat ng impormasyon," she says. Her farm school, accredited by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and DA, integrates technology into agriculture by teaching mechanized farming and digital marketing.
"Dati, kung ano lang ang presyo sa palengke, iyon na. Pero ngayon, dahil sa online selling, mas may kita na kami," Nanay Arlene shares. Her farm supplies organic bananas, vegetables, and even banana chips to buyers as far as Metro Manila.
The role of women in agriculture is rapidly evolving. No longer confined to traditional roles, they are becoming digital entrepreneurs, vloggers, and community leaders.
"Hindi lang basta magsasaka—mentor na rin ako," says Nanay Maureen, who is looking forward to training other farmers in using digital tools. "Sana ay hindi mag-atubili ang mga kapwa ko magsasaka na tanggapin ng makabagong pagsasaka at teknolohiya."
With continued efforts to enhance telecommunications infrastructure being undertaken by telcos like PLDT and Smart, the future of farming in regions like Northern Luzon looks promising. As these empowered women continue to break barriers, they serve as an inspiration to the next generation of farmers, proving that innovation, education, and connectivity can transform agriculture, grow communities and sow hope.
