Some farmer-youth pairs in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, Western and Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga received recognition for bagging awards in the “Kuwentuhang Agri” video contest under the first phase of the Digital Farmers Program (DFP) or DFP 101.

Of the 400 farmer and youth participants in the 101 regional rollouts conducted last year, 36 pairs nabbed awards for developing the most unique and creative agriculture-related video content. Winners received cash prizes and “digisack” intro kits containing starter tools such as smartphones, tri-pods, solar powerbanks, and lapel microphones among others, allowing them to further practice their skills as digital agri curators.

Lea Astrude Santiago, 1st place winner in the Ilocos Region leg, expressed her appreciation towards the program in a Facebook post. She shared, “Our sincerest gratitude for being given the opportunity to learn and work with Smart Communications, Probe Media Foundation, and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). For hearing us and allowing us to share our stories, our advocacies, and our plight, we truly are grateful.” Santiago is the owner of Our Nature Farm Republic, an ATI-accredited Learning Site in Mangatarem, Pangasinan.

Nearly 60 video entries were submitted and evaluated based on content (35%), use of digital tools (20%), and Facebook views (10%). The winning participants are expected to move up to the DFP 102 contest.

The DFP is a collaborative initiative of the Institute and Smart Communications, Inc. Public Affairs Group to involve Filipino farmers, with the help of the youth, into the digital space by acquainting, capacitating, and empowering them with basic tools and technologies, particularly social media and applications developed by the Department of Agriculture. Through the assistance of the youth as digital natives, the one-day activity under the program aims to teach farmers the basic use and operations of a smartphone as well as develop content about agriculture.

The awarding sessions in CALABARZON were held on December 16, 2019 at the ATI Regional Training Center in Trece Martires, Cavite. On the other hand, ceremonies for the six others were held simultaneously during the regional centers’ respective anniversary celebrations on January 28-30, 2020.

This year, a design thinking workshop for the finalization of modules and toolkits as well as training for trainers will be conducted before the regional rollouts resume in April.

Here is the complete list of winners of the 2019 DFP 101 “Kuwentuhang Agri” video contest per area:

• Mangatarem, Pangasinan
1st Place: “Ang Probinsyana & Magsasaka Ako, Proud Ako!” by Lea Astrude Santiago and Layla Yasmin S. Tanjutco
2nd Place: “Let'tuce Eat Organic Teraoka Farms” by Rey Dacones and Mark Rey Gayondato
3rd Place: “Nature Coolers” by Vickee Padilla and Cristine Abrigo

• San Mateo, Isabela
1st Place: “Paggawa ng Vermicompost at ang mga benepisyo nito” by Christian Remegio and Janette Cadiente
2nd Place: “Tilapia Fingerlings Production” by Arnel Santiago and Christian Sicam

• Alfonso, Cavite
1st Place: “The Millenial–Millenium Farmer Show: Zero Waste Pig Farming” by Milton Razon and Glo Mojica
2nd Place: “Paraan ng Pagpupunla ng Kamatis” by Aurora Romereso, Jana Santiago and Krista Fenol
3rd Place: “Vegetable Grafting and Fruit Wine Making” by Rafael Nuestro and Edralyn Ferre

• Lobo, Batangas
Special Prize: “Kahalagahan ng Agrikultura” by Merla Parajas

• Tanay, Rizal
1st Place: “Gaano Ba Kahalaga Ang Pagsasaka?” by Exekiel Reyes and Doroteo Reyes
2nd Place: “Gulayan ni Tita Nellie” by Jennilyn Fortunado & Nellie de Vera - Juan
Special Prize: “Life of Farmer” by Amarie Bernal

• Magdalena, Laguna
1st Place: “Carabao AI Technician” by John Albert Alcantara and Danilo Noceto Jr.
2nd Place: “Agrie’s Integrated Natural Farm” by Agripina Ochoa and Delick Balangue
3rd Place: “The Rhymes and Reason’s in Farmer’s Life” by Emily Rebadajo Diego

• Tigbauan, Iloilo
1st Place: “Native Hog Raising” by Kristoff Buyco Catoto and Rey Pedroso
2nd Place: “Deala's Integrated Farm” by Lea Deala and JC Deala
3rd Place: “Trees Solteros Farm Story” by Rocelin Sotomil and Nick Sotomil

• Pavia, Iloilo
1st Place: “Fertilizer” by Leticia Alberto and Mary Catherine Alberto-Prondo
2nd Place: “Magsasaka” by Lorna H. Rogodos and Francis Louie Balquin
3rd Place: “RSBSA para sa tanan” by Cynthia Turija Daguinot

• Dauis, Bohol
3rd Place: “Kaagapay” by Celencio Maligsa and Esmeraldo Maligsa

• El Salvador, Misamis Oriental
1st Place: “Balay Sa Hardin” by Adjani Fernando and Gloria Fernando
2nd Place: “Astergold Farm” by Regine Rose and Josephine Batingal
3rd Place: “Organic Native Chicken” by Kay Masong and Marlon Masong Sr.

• Bukidnon Set A
1st Place: “Quemado Brothers” by Edsel James Quemado Jr. and Numeriano Quemado III
2nd Place: “How to train up a child” by Jaya Bayag and Junalyn Bayag
3rd Place: “Luis-Sesay Heritage Farm” by Maricon Lizada Ompoc & Kenneth Ompoc

• Bukidnon Set B
1st Place: “Vertical Gardening” by Joseph Joy Amoguis and Jeremiah Amoguis
2nd Place: “Essential Oil Production” by Trisha Ana Flor and Benjamin Maputi
3rd Place: “FPJ” by Delia G. Del Rosario and Joseph Tugas
Special Prize: “Alternatibong Pataba ng Bukidnon National High School: Gulayan sa Paaralan” by Freddie Zamora and Edna Galang
Special Prize: “Permaculture” by Everly S. Cosmod and Kharen Magdale
Special Prize: “Last Farm Standing” by Steve Bernante and Tatay Daniel Linhay

• Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
1st Place: “Diversified Farmer” by Mark Sampuang and Reah Sampuang
2nd Place: “Diversified Farmer” by Jestoni Integro and Nilda Bungaos