Hi Susan and Fr G;

As regards to reducing ICT cost, setting up a small group discussions among farmer groups during their break from farm works,  in a location  wherein they are comfortably gathered, and where there is at least one unit of computer, a projector and a large screen to provide them updates on the new technologies  used in the agricultural industry, might entice and awaken their interests to embrace new practices that would eventually help them in their everyday farming.

Small group discussions led by someone knowledgeable in ICT (maybe a member of producer organization or a volunteer) can be done on a regular monthly basis, or depending on the frequency of updated information to be shared with the farmer groups.

The cost of acquiring a computer and other equipments used in the small group presentation can be sourced out from NGOs or LGUs which can provide funding through their Local Development Funds.

Print outs or other printed materials might be easily ignored as they cannot readily provide answers to questions the farmers may have as information is presented to them in paper, unlike when there is a person who can respond immediately to their queries.

Hi Michael and Harv,

this afternoon, we had the opportunity to listen to Mayor Juan Sanchez's presentation of their best practice exemplifying public and private partnership in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, and he mentioned this XO laptops.  One of the key factors that this project has attained popularity in other areas is that, the initiatives of the local government for the upliftment of the lives of their people, making this partnership a replicable practice in other areas.

Another mayor mentioned a strategy of setting up an MDG fund, if not the local development fund, to support such initiatives.  This act could very well support the needs of the farmers or Producer orgranizations in terms of providing them mobile phones that are designed according to their needs.  

I remember an article in the internet that mobile phones used by military personnel do not have as much features as other smart phones, but features which are only useful to their needs.

THis same principle can be applied to mobile phones specifically designed for farmers and producer organizations, if only some telecomms are open to engage in designing and producing sector-specific mobile phones.

Hi Harv,

yes, it's true that the XO laptops were designed for children, and thanks to OLPC for their generous deed, and the DepEd is one of lucky goernment agencies to receive such generosity, but if there has not been a collaboration with the DepEd (say, in vocing out the needs of the school children particularly in terms of ICT), and OLPC heard such call and responded with generosity, then, these school children beneficiaries would have not been enjoying what they have on their hands right now.

It is in the same line of thinking that ICT can work for farmers, like what you said, mobile phones for farmers.  Perhaps, if producer organizations and other groups would help POs to be "heard", perhaps, a generous private sector would be kind enough to provided the POs with mobile phones especially designed for farmers/POs.  And such mobile phones need not be as pricey as the XO laptops.

HI Dolly,

can I add, aside from setting aside public funds for producer organization's needs, the public sector can also provide technical assistance in terms of capacitating members of producer organizations without, or should a I, with a very least amount of budget involved?

Just like what we do with capacitating parents in the barangay level, we teach them livelihood skills and the budget we spend is very minimal for the ingredients and supplies to be used during the training, which, we hope they would internalize and start a small business on their own.

In terms of producer organizations, perhaps TESDA or other government agencies with the know-how in ICT can provide free training to members of POs which they can apply back in their organization.

HI Fr G,

Earlier, in reponse to rtdjou's post,  I just ennumerated various government agencies which can provide support or help out producer organizations according to their needs.

Reading your post, i can't help but share our experience (not in terms of coordinating/cooperating with producer organizations) with other government agencies, Non-government agencies, LGUs, the private sector, academe, and even media groups, in terms of coordination and cooperation with private sector.

Yes, there may be differences in opinions, knowledge, specialty, etc., but as long as the cluster groups are working towards achieving a common goal -- for the good and benefit of the target group -- then, there must be some ways to make these differences work in harmony just to reach/achieve that goal.

This is especially true when there is donor agency to provide funds to implement specific projects where there is public-private partneship, because the government agencies involved in the same project will have extra funds apart from their respective budget that can be spent for that public-private-donor agency collaboration, not just superficial coordination - cooperation tag, but true collaboration, where the wheel of coordination and cooperation can run more smoothly and efficiently.

Hi rtdjoy,

I would just like to provide concrete examples on the public-private partnership for the producer organizations in the following areas: 

Production support services -  maybe the DA can partner with various suppliers who belong to the private sector in terms of providing both farming equipments and agricultural supplies, among others.

Market support services  -  in partnership with DA and DTI, traders and producer organizations can be matched for wider and more effective trading of produce

Credit facilitation services - The Land Bank of the Philippines and credit cooperatives to facilitate the lending/loan programs which the producer organizations can avail of.

Infrastructure projects and postharvest facilities - in partnership or collaboration with DPWH and the LGUs in mappingout  farm-to-market roads

Extension support, education and training services -  perhaps, TESDA can be tapped here, as this is the government agency which takes care of low-cost skills/training programs

Research and development -  can the DA collaborate with PIDS, the Academe, DBP among other institutions to support R&D on agricultural needs/requirements?

Information support services - in tandem with the government's stations PTV4 and Phil. Information Agency, along with other national agencies which have their own regular media group promoting the agency's programs esp. on food production  and food security, such as National Nutrition Council, DA, to mention a few

Advocacy, policy and planning -  again, PIA along with other agencies which run their own media groups, NEDA, PIDS, etc.

Thus, public-private partnership is really in existence as various government agencies belonging to different cluster groups which hold regular consultation meetings with the President.

Ms Koy,

I agree with you, but if the XO computers can be tailored fit to the school age children, perhaps, this can be done also for farmers in the producer organizations.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, technology or any other ICT can be simplified/modified  according to the target users' need and purpose.