e-Extension and the use of mobile phones in knowledge sharing

e-Extension and the use of mobile phones in knowledge sharing

www.e-extension.gov.ph

By Ms. Antonieta J. Arceo

e-Extension

The electronic delivery of extension service of the network of institutions that provide a more efficient alternative to a traditional extension system for agriculture, fisheries and natural resources sectors.

It maximizes the use of information and communication technology to attain a modernized agriculture and fisheries sector.

It focuses on creating an electronic and interactive bridge where farmers, fishers and other stakeholders meet and transact to enhance productivity, profitability and global competitiveness.

Another e in Extension

eExtension can then be defined simply as the use of electronic technologies (especially Information and Communication Technologies or ICT) to enhance face-to-face (f2f) and paper-based interactions. These technologies can be as simple as teleconferences or as complex as wikis and blogs. (www.thinkeextension.com)

An aggressive shift in its extension work, envisioning

A revolutionized agriculture and fishery e-extension services for self-reliant and globally-competitive communities, that can be delivered any time, any place and at any pace.

© 2007. All Rights Reserved. DA ‐ Agricultural Training Institute.

Components

e-Learning

e-Farming through the:Farmers’ Contact CenterIntegrated Voice Response for NMRiceNM Rice Apps

e-Trading with AMAS of DA

eLearning component

Various courses are developed and specifically designed for agricultural extension workers and farmers / fishers

Courseware developers come from partner agencies under the Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Sustainable Agriculture Center of Xavier University

All courses were pre-tested and assessed by experts on agricultural and social technologies and by experts on distance learning.

Digital learning resources are available for supplemental learning (web-based, pdf and video tutorials in YouTube

CourseModule 1

Module 2

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

EOM Test

Lesson 1

EOM Test

Lesson 3

Lesson 1

SAQ

SAQ

SAQSAQ

Activity

SAQ

Activity

e-Learning Course Tree

e-Learning coursesCrops

Mango ProductionGrowing VandaCultural Mgt Practices of AbacaAbaca Pest MgtCitrus GrowingCorn ProductionGrowing BambooGrowing DurianJackfruit ProductionManaging Common Diseases in Banana

IPM for BananaProduction of High Value Crops in a GreenhouseArabica Coffee ProductionUbi ProductionStraw Mushroom Production

26 Courses

e-Learning coursesLivestock

Establishing Feed Resources for Your GoatsStarting a Slaughter Goat EnterpriseArtificial Insemination in PigsMastering the ABCs of Pig Production

Marine and FisheriesSeaweed Farming

Social TechnologyEffective Extension DeliveryCommunity OrganizingBasic Agricultural Marketing Extension

e-Learning courses

Sustainable DevelopmentOrganic Fertilizer for Sustainable Development

Vermicomposting: Turning Trash to CashInsects Away, the Alternative Way

e-Learning Data

2008 2009 2010 2011 Total

Enrollees 919 1,216 1,520 3,365 7,070

Graduates 424 1,179 1,012 1,930 4,545

Downloads (PDF)

185 659 1,102

10,069 registered users

e-Learning enrollees and graduates by Region

e-Learners Profile

From our e-Learners…

"Thank you very much. I've already started the course (Goat 1); I find it quite informative and am very pleased because it is also quite interesting and practical. More power to you and your fellow trainers/mentors."

— Angel-Jose Solis, Vienna, Austria,

From our e-Learners…

...I have very limited ideas in this field, that is why i am learning (Goat 1).

P.S. Is this website/online help/online course part of the Philippine government or is this a private sector? If this is part of the government project, Congratulations! You guysare the best and have the most advance technique/Information technology :)"

— Eric Roca, Cebu

From our e-Learners

“Thank you very much! I must say you guys did a great job on the first course on Goat Raising. It was really a great help. I can't wait to take the other courses. More Power to you guys!” Nilo Tronco

“Salamat sa bumubuo ng e‐Extension Program. Malaking tulong talaga ito saakin lalo na sa mga gusting matuto sa larangan ng agrikultura.” Virgilio Paler, Jr.

“Having read about the advantages of planting ubi, I want to try it in my small farm. I’m hopeful that this course will greatly benefit me.” Roger Tuguinay

e-Learning

Capability BuildingContent Development (two phases) for partner agenciese-Learning Program AdministrationInternet Communication and Basic Computer Literacy for Extension WorkersSeminar on Internet Communication for ExecutivesDemystifying eLearning Seminar for SUCs, LGUs, FITS Centers

FARMER’S CONTACT CENTERFARMER’S CONTACT CENTER

Department of Agriculture’s

Ang inyong kaagapay sa usaping agrikultura...

Farmers’ Contact Center

A support center for the clients of the Department of Agriculture to deliver farm and business advisory services through the use of ICT.Main features: services through voice (call) and short messaging system (text) modes thru a pre-defined toll-free number specified across the country, as well as online communication like chat, online fora and email

Pool of Agricultural Experts

About 1,388 Subject Matter Specialists from the Government, Local Government Units, State Universities, among others

* Fertilizer, Organic Agri, Agri’l Eng’g, ICT, Soils & Water, Coops, etc)

The Knowledgebase

on various commodities and concerns in agriculture and fisheries technologiesCurrently being developed based on the recommended frequently asked questions (FAQs) of the pool of experts as well as the actual queries received through the Farmers’ Contact Center

FCC Hotlines

1‐800‐10‐982‐AGRI (1‐800‐10‐982‐2474)for Provincial Toll‐free calls

982‐AGRI (982‐2474) for calls within Metro Manila0920‐946‐AGRI (0920‐946‐2474) for Mobile calls

391‐DA (391‐32)for Smart and Talk ‘N Text

0920‐946‐AGRI (0920‐946‐2474)for Globe, TM, and Sun Cellular

info@e‐extension.gov.ph

FCC Inbound Queries Scenariowith Level 2 Escalation

Agent knows answer from

stock knowledge

Agent searches

from knowledge

base

knowledgebase

LEVEL 2 Escalation (no site visit)Agent calls directly the expert

LEVEL 2 Escalation (requiring site visit)Agent calls MAO

• MAO dispatches AT

• MAO may contact other expert

• case monitoring(until resolved)

Create entry in knowledgebase

Expert provides answer to Agent for relaying

ATI RTC monitoring

Topics Covered

Agriculture and Fisheries TechnologiesAgricultural MarketingPests and Diseases ManagementDA Programs and Servicese-Learning Concerns

From our FCC clients!

Ako po ay lugod na nagpapasalamat sa inyo pong pagbibigaypansin sa aking nakalap na suliranin ng mga kawawang magsasakasa bayan ng nampicuan, nueva ecija. hindi po ako sang‐ayon sa mgapanglalamang na ginagawa sa may kinauukulan. Naway mabigyanng kalutasan ang aking hinaing at maliwanagan ng isipan ang mgataong gumagawa ng hindi tama at nagsasamantala sa kapwa. MARAMI PONG SALAMAT ‐ Neil Reyes reyesneil18@yahoo.com.ph

Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat, gusto lang po naming magpasalamat sa mabilis ninyong kasagutan sa sulat namin. Ito po'y labis naming ikinatuwa, nasa gayo'y meron pa pala kamingdapat asahan sa proyektong matagal na naming hinihintay. Kami poay muling makikipag‐ugnayan, sainyo sa anumang pang‐agrikulturang usapin. Maraming salamat po. Edgar & Rolando, Lerma, Naga City , pcmanbyte@yahoo.com

Nutrient Manager for Rice in the Philippines

NMRice

Nutrient Manager for Rice in the Philippines

NMRice

In 2008, scientists compiled existing knowledge into a computer-based decision tools for use by extension workers and farmers.•Provide fertilizer guidelines for specific rice fields

•Develop a guideline based on reply of farmer to about 15 questions

•MS Access based software distributed on CD

Remaining challengeHow to reach more farmers faster?

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

An interactive technology that allows a computer to detect keypad inputs from a mobile phone.

IVR allows farmer to access a database via a telephone keypad.

IVR systems can be used to guide a operation (like fertilization of ricefield) where the decisions can be broken down into a series of simple menu choices.

NMRiceWeb vs. NMRiceMobile

NMRiceWeb1 NMRiceMobile2

• Can be used for all lowland rice fields, regardless of number of crops per year or amounts of organic fertilizer selected by the farmer.

• Suitable for most, but not all rice fields

• When there are 2 rice crops in a year

• With application of less than 10 bags of organic fertilizer per hectare

2 This service is free, even if the account/load balance is zero.

1 Can be accessed via www.irri.org/nmrice

Nutrient Manager for Rice

NMRiceMobileNMRiceMobile(in Tagalog, Cebuano, Iluko, English)

A toll-free messaging service from the

Department of Agriculture In collaboration with the

International Rice Research Institute

How the e-services are promoted

Mobilization of pool of e-Extension Coordinators from the Regional Training Centers to conduct briefings and promote the e-Extension Program and the services of the FCCDissemination of IEC and promotional materialsParticipation in agri-fairs and exhibitsPromotion in the local radio stations especially for those who have school-on-the air programPromotion through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter (Pinoy eXtension) and YouTubeMaximizing search engine optimization

Our shoutbox!

FB link at e-Extension

page

Social network sites!

ee--Extension at FBExtension at FB

CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED

Challenges Lessons Learned

•Different negotiations with various service providers that offers various services

- Choose service providers that offer what the stakeholders need

•Stakeholders particularly farmers do not want registration process with syntax, or a machine generated answer to their queries.

-Queries are sent as they are and are processed by the designated agents- premise-based solution, maintained by a service provider, managed by DA-ATI

•Budgetary Constraints -Budget realigned from the Regular Funds of the Agency- Partnership with the agencies within DA and DOST and private service providers

Challenges Lessons Learned

•Lack of capable staff to do content development and administration and extension workers, farmers do not know how to use computers

- The Program focused first on the capability building of those who will be involved and moved on to building the capabilities of the extension workers and farmers along the use of ICT thru Basic ICT Literacy Training

•Limited ICT Infrastructure especially in the rural areas

- Tap the existing Farmers Information and Technology Services Centers nationwide which has available ICT infrastructure.- Partnership with other government agencies thru their Community eCenters

Plans

Development of the Knowledgebase for agriculture and fisheriesAggressive promotion of the services of the Farmers’ Contact CenterAdvocate to the service provider to bring down or subsidize the rate for the call and SMS.Implementation of the IVR on NMRiceand NMRice Apps with IRRI

Plans

More content for the e-Extension portalOrganization of Communities of Practice for swine and organic agricultureFund for the conduct of a result evaluation for e-LearningLocalization of the FCC in the Regions for information dissemination and market matching

Plans

Tap the youth (4-H Clubs) to be involved in the ProgramThe FCC to be one of the modes for

linking the producers and buyers (e-Trading)Coordinate with AMAS for the

mobilization of e-tradingContinue capability building along ICT for extension workers

www.e-extension.gov.ph