Making a Case for Infomediaries in the Upland Farming Communities in the Philippines
Jaime Albarillo Manalo IV · SSRN Electronic Journal · 2012
Whilst there is a wealth of information available on the Internet on improving rice yield and reducing cost of farming operations, access remains a challenge for farmers owing to several issues such as computer anxiety, language, and computer illiteracy. The importance of infomediaries in bridging this gap has long been proposed to address said issues. Policies, however, relating to this initiative seem slow to take off in the Philippines. This paper insists on making a case for infomediaries in the Philippines using the results of a 2011 study in the upland rice farming communities in Aurora and Albay provinces, the Philippines. The study, which used predominantly qualitative research methods such as time transect, mobility map and photovoice, had 38 research participants. This paper argues there is a need to come up with contextspecific solutions to deal with ICT issues of communities. Innovative strategies are needed so even those in the uplands could still manage to benefit from ICT-based initiatives. Based on the research conducted the school can serve as the nucleus for agricultural extension owing to the fact that farmers’ children converge in school. Collaboration with the Department of Education and provision of decent computer access points are important undertakings to complement this initiative.