Press Release
October 12, 2009

ANGARA SETS UP 'DIGITAL' VILLAGE, UPGRADES AGRO-FARMING INFO

Senator Edgardo J. Angara has initiated the Aurora e-Village, which integrates information and communication technology (ICT) to increase productivity in the farming communities in the province. In these digital kiosks, farmers can use the Internet to access information on prices of goods, land records, weather forecasts, local government database and other agricultural knowledge support.

"This initiative shows how modern ICT can be brought to the grassroots level. The e-village is a response to the growing need of our farmers for quick, relevant information that will help them become more productive, and make agriculture more profitable," shared Angara, Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE).

The e-Village is the first of its kind in the country, inaugurated at the Rice Processing Complex in July. It covers the towns of Baler, Dipaculao, Ma. Aurora and San Luis. It aims to create a transaction-based, self-sustaining agricultural information system; and to provide collective strategy to adopt, disseminate and commercialize technology-based, market-driven production system for agricultural productivity and competitiveness. The project also includes training and technical assistance, and linkages to existing research and training institutions.

It also seeks to build capacities of project implementers and the target beneficiaries in accessing, retrieving and utilizing information primarily relevant to farm operations and management; and generate participation and support of the community. A similar project has been successfully implemented in Bangalore, India.

"This system benefits cooperatives, farmers, fishermen and organizations. The goal is agricultural development in the beneficiary towns of Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis and Dipaculao. Synchronizing technical assistance to farmers aids them in their planting, harvesting and delivery schedules which thus result an efficient and progressive farm and agricultural yields," added Angara, author of the bill creating the Department of ICT.

With the Aurora Rice Processing Complex, another initiative of Angara, the e-Village aims to synchronize and implement a modern system for an effective and improved access to information. This project targets to train about 1,200 farmers on rice production technology, specifically organic farming, managing costs, increasing levels of productivity and the establishment of an effective cooperative by farmers for managing and increasing produce.

Angara initiated the project in partnership with the Aurora Technological Institute, the Philippine Rice Research Institute, the Development Academy of the Philippines and the Provincial Government of Aurora under Gov. Bellaflor Castillo.

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