“We at PLDT and Smart advocate for digital inclusion in our programs, especially in the agriculture sector. Through DFP and our partnership with DA-ATI, we aim to reach more farmers and share with them potential livelihood opportunities from technology. This program also highlights the tangible benefits that the infusion of technology can provide and how it can increase profits over time,” said Stephanie Orlino, assistant vice president and head of stakeholder management at PLDT and Smart.
In the first half of 2023, 56 training sessions were conducted and attended by 1,951 farmers, youth, agri-extension workers and farm field school representatives. To date, DFP has extended the benefits of using technology in agriculture to 8,506 Filipino farmers under 312 trainings rolled out. PLDT and Smart continuously find ways to assist farmers and the rest of the agriculture sector through their network and technology. One of the DFP youth graduates, Angelica Porto, a local enterprise owner based in Camarines Sur, also joined the capacity building program eBiz Buy Local Bazaar on TikTok Shop.