TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — Artificial Intelligence might be all the rage online these days, and farmers in Eastern Visayas are eager to find out how it can help them in real life.
Over 40 farmers from across the region’s six provinces recently teamed up with tech-savvy agribusiness students to learn how digital tools — especially AI — can help them promote their products and expand their markets online.
The initiative is part of the eBizNovation program of the PLDT Group, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute — Regional Training Center 8 (DA ATI-RTC 8), Visayas State University (VSU), PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc.
The participating farmers, selected from various Learning Sites for Agriculture (LSAs), went through hands-on sessions on social media marketing, content creation, and beginner-friendly Generative AI tools. It wasn’t just about trends — it was about practical knowledge they could use to boost their agribusinesses.
“These are the people who feed our country,” said Marylou Gocotano, head of Stakeholder Engagement for Visayas Relations at PLDT and Smart. “That’s why we’ll always be ready to support them with training that helps them thrive in the digital age.”
Participants also got a crash course on online safety, learning how to steer clear of scams and protect themselves in the digital space.
“This is a great space for farmers and students to come together, share their strengths, and help each other grow — especially in the digital world,” said Concepcion Miro of DA ATI-RTC 8.
With the help of these new skills and partnerships, Eastern Visayas’ farmers are one step closer to bringing their harvests to a wider audience — one post, one click, and one smart move at a time.