NORTHERN MINDANAO, Philippines—Some farmers in Region X are expected to adopt digital means in farming and product marketing.

This is after their introduction to available digital tools and technologies that they can use to optimize productivity and marketability through Digital Farmers Program (DFP) 101.

This initiative, led by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and Smart Communications’ Public Service Group, is intended to help farmers cope with technological developments in agriculture through a ladderized education approach, and, consequently, enable them to increase their income.

DFP is also conceptualized to strengthen youth participation in the farming sector by maximizing their strong technological adaptability skills. Likewise, the program aims to help the younger generation know about traditional farm practices that are effective even at present.

In three DFP 101 sessions held in the region, over 70 farmers learned the basic parts and features of smartphones and file sharing applications. Each of them were assisted by their partner youth participants.

They were also given orientation on social media, group chats, various search engines, ATI e-Learning courses, e-farming applications, and video-making tips. As an exercise during the activity, each farmer-and-youth team was required to shoot their own three-minute videos and present it to the group for critiquing.

In the first DFP 101 in Misamis Oriental, ATI Region X officer-in-charge Center Director Maria Lydia Echavez thanked the ATI Central Office and Smart Communications for bringing DFP in the region. She also expressed her hopes for the program in terms of bridging the digital gap in agriculture especially with the “farmer and youth tandem approach.”

Moreover, ATI Information Services Division chief Antonieta Arceo advised the participants to showcase their best farming practices in the content that they will develop after DFP 101.

The DFP 101 roll-out in Northern Mindanao was held last October 15-17 in Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.