FarmBill: Empowering Filipino Farmers with Mobile E-commerce Application
Jester D. Cruzate, Jose Roberto Kam, Ghasutt Joshua R. Patarata, Izak Kyle E. Villanueva, Ivanne Cres V. Yabut, Elcid A. Serrano, Ma. Vivianne San Juan · 2024
In recent years, the integration of technology into agriculture has transformed how Filipino farmers engage with markets, streamline transactions, and access vital resources. Among these innovations, the FarmBill mobile application stands out, offering efficient e- commerce capabilities tailored to farmers' needs. This paper explores FarmBill's features, functionalities, and its transformative impact on agricultural commerce across the Philippines. Drawing insights from local research and practical applications, it showcases FarmBill's potential to revolutionize agricultural commerce, promote inclusive growth, and contribute to sustainable rural development. The paper reviews the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the Philippines, emphasizing the role of digital solutions in addressing these challenges. It examines FarmBill's development methodology, highlighting a user-centric approach that ensures effectiveness and relevance for Filipino farmers. Furthermore, the paper presents results from a User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ-S) analysis, offering insights into FarmBill's pragmatic and hedonic qualities as perceived by users. The analysis identifies strengths and areas for improvement, emphasizing the importance of balancing pragmatic efficiency with hedonic engagement for optimal user experience. Overall, this paper contributes to the understanding of how digital solutions like FarmBill can empower farmers, improve market efficiency, and foster inclusive growth in agricultural communities.