COMMUNITY | Digital training helps Laguna farmers sell products online
As part of the training, participants attended a session on smartphone-based product photography. Pocket Wi-Fi devices and prepaid load cards were also provided to support the activity.
Farmers and fisherfolk in Santa Cruz, Laguna are learning how to market and sell their products online through a digital entrepreneurship program aimed at expanding livelihood opportunities in rural communities.
The training was conducted by the International Trade Centre (ITC) under the Joint Programme on Inclusive, Competitive, and Responsible Digital Philippines (Digital-PINAS), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Laguna and the Municipal Agriculture Office of Santa Cruz. The workshops covered e-commerce operations, digital marketing, and mobile photography for participants from local agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Stephanie V. Orlino, assistant vice president and head of stakeholder engagement at PLDT and Smart, said practical digital skills can help farmers and fisherfolk reach more customers and create additional sources of income.
“When farmers and fisherfolk gain access to practical digital skills, they are better able to promote their products, reach customers, and create new opportunities for their livelihoods,” Orlino said. “Through our program, we want to help ensure that communities are not left behind as more businesses move into the digital space.”
As part of the training, participants attended a session on smartphone-based product photography. Pocket Wi-Fi devices and prepaid load cards were also provided to support the activity.
Maria Charisma Bea Agarao, executive assistant to the mayor of Santa Cruz, said the initiative helps local farmers, fisherfolk, and small entrepreneurs adapt to changing business practices.
“Gusto po talaga natin na nakakasabay na sa panahon. Lalo po ang ating mga magsasaka, mga mangingisda, maliliit na negosyante, kasi nagbabago na po talaga yung trend,” Agarao said. “Natutuwa po kami na meron po tayong national government at meron po tayong private sector na nakakaisip ng mga ganitong programa para tulungan po sila na maging ‘in’ kumbaga sa mga makabagong teknolohiya. Hindi po sila maiiwan.”
Among the participants was Queen G. Anino, secretary of the Coalition Alliance of Farmers in Santa Cruz, Laguna, which markets locally processed rice under the Cabisera Rice brand. Anino said the training would help the group develop its digital marketing strategy.
“Wala pa rin naman po kaming social media account. This is very useful din po sa aming mga gumagawa pa lang ng marketing strategy,” she said.
Digital-PINAS is funded through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund with contributions from the European Union. The program is implemented by ITC, the International Labour Organization, and the United Nations Development Programme, alongside government agencies led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
The Santa Cruz training forms part of a broader Digital-PINAS initiative that provides digital skills workshops for micro, small, and medium enterprises in local communities.
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