Aside from the Farmers Contact Center (FCC), we have another known as the Farmers Information Technology Services (FITS) Center.  Generally, the FITS Center aims to serve as a viable tool to facilitate faster access to information to fasttrack the delivery of services to clients in agriculture, forestry and natural resources. 

The FITS Center offers services on Rice Knowledge  Bank (RKB) utilization, information on Short Message System (SMS) utilization, video conferencing and other Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based online transactions.

The center is also equipped with informaiton in print, techno CDs and other IEC materials.  FITS Centers also called Techno Pinoy Centers provide farmers and researchers fast access to information and technologies.   Technology services include technological training, technology clinics, linkage of clients with experts and financial institutions, technical assistance and consultancy and support for enterprise development.  Information services include technology information, exhibits of new products and technologies, internet, SMS, and FITS databases. 

The FITS ICT program provides infrastructure (computer with internet connection, printers, fax machines, camera, cellphones) for FITS researchers, clients and farmers.  It is the modality which provides immediate response to current problems and frequently asked questions.  It provides opportunities for capability enhancement through training and enables quick inquiry available from FITS-IS through the internet. 

As of January 2010, there are 630 FITS Centers around the country.  However, sustainability is the major issue here.  Unfortunately, some of the LGU-beneficiaries of the FITS Centers lack available funds to maintain the facility.  This project operates on a public-private partnership scheme with PCARRD providing the facilities and the LGUs with maintenance and operating expenses, etc. 

Hi Sir Michael.  ICT is not part of the service provision of the LFTs.  These LFTs are being trained on the application of appropriate agricultural technologies, cultural practices, pests and diseases, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), palay check, organic agriculture and other relevant courses.  However, training as to the use of ICT like computers,  etc. are not part of the curriculum. But they know how to access the Farmers' Contact Center through the use of their mobile phones since this is widely disseminated to them.  Some of these LFTs are really asking to be trained on the use of computers.  When I attended  a farmers' forum few months ago, the LFTs in a certain municipality were requesting their Local Chief Executive to provide them with a training on the use of computer especially this internet thing.  They want to gain additional knowledge through the use of internet.  According to them, they need to know even the simple thing of turning on and off the computer.  A local State University was also there in the forum and the President of the SUC volunteered to train these LFTs.  Partnership and collaborative undertaking now come into the picture.  Instead of these LFTs going to the school to learn, it will be now the SUC bringing their cyber bus to the rural communities to conduct hands-on training on the use of computers. - Joyce Wendam

Hi Anne.   In the Philippines, in order for information to reach the majority of the farmers including those living in the far-flung areas, the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) has launched last year the Farmers Contact Center (FCC) which functions similarly to the Kenya Farmers' Helpline.  Through the FCC, farmers and fishers  can inquire on agri/fishery-related concerns via voice (call), short messaging service (SMS or text) as well as emails and other online communication platforms like instant messaging and the different forums.  Immediate responses are being given to the queries of the farmers/fishers.  All they have to do is Call 982 AGRI (2474) in Metro Manila; 1800982 AGRI (2472) in the provinces or Text  391 DA (32) for Smart, Talk & Text;  0920946 AGRI (2474) for Globe, TM, or SUN or EMAIL:  [email protected].  But one issue here as regards the use of mobile phones and internet is connectivity.  - Joyce Wendam

One strategy that we employ in our agency for an effective technology transfer is conducting "School-on-the-Air" over the radio.  Through this "school-on-the-air", we taught farmers the appropriate agricultural technologies.  The farmers are being given examinations to assess the extent of knowledge they have gained through studying in the "school-on-the-air".  After the farmer-students successfully completed the module, graduation ceremonies are being held.  You coud see the happy faces of the farmers receiving their certificates of completion.  I could say that technology transfer using this strategy is effective.  Farm visit is another means to diffuse technology to the farmers but due to inadequate personnel in the field, this could not be religiously done.  To remedy this situation, local farmer technicians (LFTs) are being developed.   They are being trained extensively for them to become effective extensionists/disseminators of knowledge to their fellow farmers in their respective communities. To compensate them, they are being granted monetary incentives.  These LFTs are members of farmer cooperatives or associations. - Joyce Wendam