Addressing information poverty in the uplands through the Infomediaries

Jaime A Manalo IV, Katherine P Balmeo, Jayson C Berto, Oliver C Domingo, and Fredierick M Saludez

Email: ja.manalo4@philrice.gov.ph

Country paper presentation during the Asia-Pacific Association of Educators on Agriculture and the Environment, Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City, 18-22 August 2014

Information and mediation

Bridge/ address

information poverty

School as nucleus of

agricultural extension

Concept , design and execution by Alfred Franco T. Caballero

Methodology

• Action research

• Data collection: May 2012 to March 2013

• 2 focus group discussions (parents and students), individual interviews (19), and key informant interviews (4)

Methodology• Field notes provided

good inputs for this study

• Content analysis of the text messages sent by the students to the Text Centre

FindingsClassification Description

Farming ally Responds to queries

Initiator Volunteers to search for

information; shares

information among members

of the household

Champion Does things that are not

expected of them; radiates

what was learnt to more

than two persons; shows

leadership in exercising

infomediary functions

Findings

0

5

10

15

20

25“Varietal information topped the list of frequently asked questions in the PhilRice Text Center. The students enjoyed the Info On Demand (IOD) service of the Text Center. In IOD, one only has to key in some keywords (names of pests, diseases) and an automated response will be received by the texter.

Figure 1. Frequently asked questions to the PhilRice Text Center.

• Concentrate on the demand, not on the technology (WorldBank, 2011)

• ICT is just a tool to address the key issue

• But it would be best if ICT infrastructure is present in the area

“I just gave the materials you gave me to my parents. They liked it!” (Clyde, 16).

“Farmers in our area have problems on rats. It was fortunate since during that time we were preparing for the quiz bee. I just read something about it … uhm… I told them they need to observe the usual times rat come out, establish a pattern… and that’s the time they can kill the rats…” (Arianne, 15).

Sharing mechanism

Beyond being an infomediary

• They’re considering agriculture in college

“I really wanted her to go to Baguio next year (for college), but after the tour, I think she’s interested to pursue agriculture in CLSU” (Father of a high school student in Maria Aurora National High School).

Beyond being an infomediary

• Roughly 35% of the students interviewed reported their visit to the agricultural institutions in the Science City of Muñoz and their participation to the campaign in general have something to do with their decision to pursue agriculture in college.

Youth Initiative Proponent Year NatureYouth in agriculture and fisheriesprogram ATI 2009 ScholarshipFulbright-Philippine AgricultureScholarship Program Fulbright

2013-2014 Scholarship

Gulayan sa Paaralan DA OngoingTraining/Skillscompetency

4-H Club ATITraining/Skillscompetency

Search and Award for theOutstanding Farmers in thePhilippines

Junior ChambersInternational 2012 Award

Future Farmers of the Philippines DECSBefore2000 Organization

Future Agricultural Homemakers ofthe Philippines DECS

Before2000 Organization

Student Technologists andEntrepreneurs of the Philippines DepEd 2001 Organization

Young Farmers Program 2010 House Bill/Scholarship

Agri Pinoy Youth NYC 2012Resolution/Scholarship

Table 1. Initiatives in agriculture involving the youth.

Conclusions

• Need to engage more the parents• Giving the students some technical know-how on

rice production will help them become better infomediaries

• Complementation of online and offline means• Scholars must turn their attention to the

informal, not just formal infomediaries• Capitalize on the relevance of the campaign to

the infomediaries and their community

The InfomediaryMap

Design and execution by Jayson C. Berto