Farmer-moms tap tech as wealth driver

In Northern Luzon, moms are leading a technology-driven transformation. In a region where agriculture fuels local economies, women are leveraging technology to modernize their farms, boost productivity and secure better incomes.

With enhanced mobile and internet connectivity, mothers who work in farms access digital tools to improve their market reach, update their farming methods and help each other.

For decades, rural farmers, especially women, have faced significant challenges such as limited market access and outdated farming techniques.

However, telco providers like PLDT and Smart expand their network coverage to include agricultural communities, and connectivity has become a key gateway to progress.

Maureen Blancad, a 36-year-old farmer from Cagayan, recalls how difficult it was to market their produce before strong mobile signal reached their community.

“In the past, it was difficult to sell vegetables. But now, with the help of social media, we can sell our harvest quickly. Sometimes, we even sell out right away,” she shares.

She promotes her farm’s harvest through Facebook and YouTube and educates fellow farmers on modern techniques.

Their empowerment has come largely through upskilling and education. Through initiatives such as the Scaling Up Sustainability program, by the Philippine Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture, GlobalGiving and Corteva, in collaboration with PLDT and Smart, women farmers like Maureen are introduced to digital literacy programs tailored for farmers. These training sessions teach them how to maximize the internet and efficiently use online resources for weather monitoring, crop management and direct-to-customer sales.

Farm worker turns school owner

Arlene Lopez, owner of Lopez’s Integrated Farm School in Isabela, went from a landless worker to a farm school owner, thanks to years of perseverance and the robust connectivity in their area.

“The internet has been a huge help. If I want to learn something about farming, just one click on Google and all the information is right there,” she said. Her farm school, accredited by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and DA, integrates technology into agriculture by teaching mechanized farming and digital marketing.”

“Before, we just accepted whatever price was set at the market. But now, thanks to online selling, we earn more,” Nanay Arlene shares. Her farm supplies organic bananas, vegetables, and even banana chips to buyers as far as Metro Manila.

The role of women in agriculture is rapidly evolving. They are no longer confined to traditional roles but are becoming digital entrepreneurs, vloggers and community leaders.

Blancad and Lopez have shown that with a bit of resourcefulness and the use of technology, mothers have the means to bridge family chores and an opportunity to improve their families’ lives.