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Archives
April 16-30, 2001
DA, Winrock to launch PinoyFarmer website
by Thea Kristina M. Pabuayon
Proponents of the PinoyFarmer Business
Development project met recently to finalize the design
and content of the project's web site, which is set
for launching third week of May. The web site or Knowledge
Portal is one of five components of the Pinoy Farmer
project set to be implemented to benefit traders, extension
workers and farmers, and provide them with an enhanced
extension service delivery system. Present were Winrock
Country Director Bong Bolo, BAR IT Specialist Ray Gonzaga,
Regional Programs Division Chief Resty David and other
BAR staff.
According to Mr. Bolo, the Knowledge Portal
will serve as a main source of relevant information
for planning, marketing linkage and technology access.
It will contain the latest data on technologies developed
by agriculture and fisheries R&D systems here and
abroad.
Specifically, the Portal will feature
farm innovations on: best practice; business planning
tools; market linkage/information; mentor network; and
agro-climatic data. These features were carefully selected
based on the information needs assessment of farmers
and extension workers, and an inventory of the existing
DA information resource.
The best practices section will provide
ready information on production, post-harvest handling,
and packaging concerns. "Result of R&D researches
on commodities with good market potential and high profit
will be organized into packages of practices and translated
into simple, easy to understand formats. Location and
market specific packages of best practices, and new
technologies developed in other countries with good
potential application under Philippine condition will
also be included."
To assist farmers in making sound business
decisions, the business tools will feature various templates
like feasibility studies and other on-line decision-making
aids. The viewers can find tips on how to make their
enterprises more profitable, and on comparative advantage
data of commodities with long gestation periods vis-à-vis
other countries.
The market information section will allow
viewers to compare and note prices of commodities in
different regions in the country. Other information
contained in this section will include a detailed profile
of buyers, producers, and input suppliers, requirement
and product specifications, and contracting arrangements.
A pool of national and international experts
will also be available via the mentor network to answer
queries from the site's viewers. Query results, professional
advice, and other data will likewise be incorporated
in the information package.
Aside from these features, the Portal
will also provide links to other agriculture agencies
and centers.
The PinoyFarmer Business Development program
is a joint project of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau
of Agricultural Research and Winrock International.
It aims to revitalize the country's agricultural extension
service by delivering integrated, market-driven support
services of DA agencies and the private sector to local
government units and rural-based organizations.
Aside from the Knowledge Portal, the project
will also provide services on training, integrated information
and communication system, participatory R&D on farm
innovations, and marketing support. 
April 16-30 2001 Articles: ::
DA, Winrock to launch PinoyFarmer website
::
GM food crops safe; scientific community clarifies issues
::
Philipine and Asian aggie faces new challenges
::: More April 2001 articles :::
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