Addressing information poverty in the uplands … Initiative Proponent Year Nature Youth in...
Transcript of Addressing information poverty in the uplands … Initiative Proponent Year Nature Youth in...
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: [email protected]
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).
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