Hi anandaraja_n, thank you for sharing this information with us.  Participatory approaches can empower collective groups of farmers and help to put decision-making in the hands of the farmers. Although no single ICT will be satisfactory for farmers, the use of a wide range of ICTs in agriculture can improve the livelihood of the farmers in rural areas and help in their socio-economic growth. Various participatory approaches such as participatory communication and participatory learning for effective use of ICTs in agricultural domain may highlight how participatory approaches can assist in information and communication technology for rural farming community. 

HI Michael, the Vegetable Congress last August was supported by The University of the Philippines Mindanao, other support agencies are the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit XI, Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM 3 Program-USAID), and the City Government of Davao- City Agriculturist’s Office.  The System is to be provided by Smart Telecommunication.  Fingers crossed – wishing for its success.  

Sansu made a good point, the nature of life in most rural communities is that of a subsistence manner. In the Philippines, the radio is a complementary component in promoting agriculture and rural development.  Planned radio campaigns complementing face-to-face advise and extension, with administrative and material support available can motivate, can inform, can entertain, can unify and can contribute towards desirable change.

I agree with Kelly, creating a telecenter may serve as a tool in improving information dissemination as there is a growing interest in the use of information and communication technologies to support rural development through basic rural telephone service, rural distance education, information and communication systems supporting producer groups by providing agricultural producers information on market prices, linking producers and others to buyers.  However, It is more on the rationale for investment of producer organizations as there are other key issues to focus on.

Producer organizations or probably any organization whose core business is not communications would find it difficult to invest more on ICT as it is costly even though the returns would be beneficial if properly implemented.   They would need support groups to establish ICT infrastructure such as telecommunications, computer systems, and electricity.  Unfortunately, the quality of ICT infrastructure in the Philippines is significantly lower and far more costly relative to other countries.

Producer organizations need help from government sectors for funding, media for public awareness,  telecommunication companies who may take advantage to promote their services – It has to be a collaboration of efforts from various organizations who are aware of the importance of agriculture.