Filipino Farmers go eLearning

Today, the Philippine extension system is fragmented and dispersed. Almost 17,000 extension workers devolved to local government units lack access to up-to-date agricultural information. As a consequence, farmers, as end-users of technologies, have limited options to make informed decisions.

The Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture is a network of institutions that provides education, training, extension and communication in agriculture, making information more accessible to those who need it. With the use of information and communication technology (ICT), this program establishes a virtual network that provides information on-demand, develops content based on farmers’ needs, and provides access through networks and the Internet.

Objectives

• Use ICT to provide online, web-based services to extension workers and farmers such as advisories, online training, distance learning, e-library, and knowledge databases in agriculture. Tap and optimize existing government ICT infrastructure and network backbones to provide an open learning environment.
• Organize expertise and digitize all available information, data and knowledge in agriculture to make them accessible to farmers through the Open Academy.
• Link policy makers, scientists, markets, business organizations, and farming communities in an open environment using ICT.

Services

The Open Academy has a lot to offer Filipino extension workers and farmers. Through its Pinoy Farmers’ Internet web portal, loads of information can be readily accessed:

• Extension and information services. Helpful and essential agricultural information such as production guides, databases, directories, visual resources, and market guides are available online to keep extension workers and farmers well-informed and updated.
• Advisory services. Farmers can easily have their farm problems answered through available experts online, diagnostic tools, text queries, email, forums, and video conferencing.
• Online learning. The program also provides online training, and diploma and certification programs for those who are interested in furthering their careers in agriculture.
• Information, education and communication (IEC). Rice science and technology (S&T) updates, training, and demonstrations will be held to disseminate information to larger audiences.

Pilot sites

The program is implemented in five pilot sites: Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Davao; and with expansion areas in Ilocos Norte, Agusan del Norte, and North Cotabato. It is expected to serve and benefit 10,000 extension workers and one million farmers nationwide.