How PLDT-Smart digital program empowered farming venture of former employee

MANILA, Philippines — In 2011, former corporate employee Wilmar Ompoc from Bukidnon decided to make farming his source of livelihood, developing a piece of land from his in-laws. Without prior exposure to agriculture, Ompoc initially faced numerous challenges. However, through training sessions, Ompoc is now the producer of various commodities including corn, vegetables, rice, coconut and livestock.

One such training session was through the Digital Farmers Program (DFP) offered by PLDT, Smart Communications Inc. and the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute Region 10 (DA-ATI 10), where Ompoc discovered how technology could simplify farming tasks and improve their yield. Launched in 2019 with DA-ATI, the DFP is part of PLDT and Smart’s efforts to promote inclusive technologies that enhance livelihood opportunities for farmers nationwide.

The program has also been beneficial to the Sto. Niño Organic Rice Farmers Association (SNORFA) based in in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, of which Ompoc serves as president and technology trainer. Under the DFP, SNORFA also recently received a FarmTech training kit from DA-ATI 10, PLDT and Smart.

A key component of the DFP, FarmTech empowers farmer associations to educate more farmers on digital applications for agriculture. It is an all-in-one training kit designed to enhance digital literacy among farmer groups and agri-coops in remote areas. The kit includes a tablet, 10 smartphones, a SmartBro pocket WiFi with Smart Prepaid load cards, an outdoor projector and screen, a rechargeable portable sound system, a flash drive with multimedia resources and apps, and DA-ATI-developed learning materials.

Aside from SNORFA in Bukidnon, FarmTech packages have also been turned over to groups in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur and Digos, Davao del Sur.

“Transporting training equipment to farming communities used to be challenging. With the FarmTech kit’s portable and rechargeable projector, sound system, and other tools, training our fellow farmers on digital tools will be significantly easier. I am very thankful to DA-ATI for the DFP trainings and to PLDT and Smart for providing us with the FarmTech kit,” Ompoc said.

With the expansion of their integrated fixed and wireless networks across the country, PLDT and Smart’s efforts to boost the digital economy highlight the group’s support for the government’s overall digitalization thrust. This also emphasizes their commitment to helping achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal No. 1 (No Poverty) and Goal No. 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).