In Tuguegarao, where farming is one of the main sources of livelihood among residents, 36-year-old Maureen Ann Blancad has transformed her life as a farmer and her community through the power of technology.
In the province of Tuguegarao, where farming is one of the main sources of livelihood among residents, 36-year-old Maureen Ann Blancad has transformed her life as a farmer and her community through the power of technology. Once a traditional farmer, Maureen has turned to vlogging to share her journey and knowledge with her followers online. Her story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of women in agriculture, especially in the face of adversity.
Maureen’s journey into farming began under challenging circumstances. “I started farming when my husband had an accident and couldn’t work. There was no one else to tend to our land, so I took over,” she recalled. Despite the initial struggles, including learning how to plow and manage the farm, Maureen persevered. “With my husband’s guidance, I learned the ropes. It was tough, but I had to stay positive for my family.”
Maureen’s farming skills received a substantial boost when she joined the Scaling Up Sustainability Project, an initiative led by the Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA) in collaboration with PLDT Inc. (PLDT), and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart). With funding support through a GlobalGiving grant in partnership with Corteva, this project aims to train 100 Filipino farmers on climate-smart practices and entrepreneurship, to enhance productivity and resilience. The project will unfold in two phases: Phase 1 will focus on mentorship, and Phase 2 will focus on cascading. The proposed mentorship activities will allow women farmer champions to interact with key experts from PPSA’s network to build the farmers’ individual expertise on a chosen topic at the same time help build the skills, tools and materials needed for cascading activities. Phase 2 then will also consist of cascading activities of the farmers through organized training sessions where farmer champions will serve as resource persons.
The project introduced Maureen to various digital tools and technologies that revolutionized her farming practices. “Technology has made a big difference. From online marketing to modern farming techniques, I’ve learned so much,” she said. One of the significant changes was the use of social media to market her produce. “Thanks to social media, we can sell our products faster and reach more customers. Sometimes, our harvests are sold out even before we bring them to the market.”
Maureen’s success as a farmer and vlogger has not only improved her family’s livelihood but also inspired her community. She is currently undergoing a three-month mentorship program on digital entrepreneurship facilitated by PLDT and Smart and on water management, drip irrigation for corn and vegetables facilitated by Harbest Agribusiness Corporation so that she can teach other farmers and encourage them to embrace technology. “It’s a big responsibility, but I want to help other farmers learn about modern farming and how to use social media for marketing,” she explained. Her vlogs, which cover various farming activities and techniques, have become a valuable resource for many. “It also helps that Smart’s signal is strong in our area, we have an easy time uploading my videos.”
Balancing her roles as a farmer, vlogger, and mother of three, Maureen emphasized the importance of time management. “It’s all about balancing your responsibilities. My children help on the farm when they are not in school, mostly during the summer. It’s a family effort,” she said with a smile.
The Scaling Up Sustainability Project has been instrumental in Maureen’s journey. PLDT and Smart’s support for this program is an extension of their commitment to digital inclusion through the Digital Farmers Program, implemented in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute. By integrating digital entrepreneurship training into this initiative, PLDT and Smart are equipping farmers with the knowledge and tools to maximize technology to increase farmers’ productivity and resilience. “The training has changed my life,” Maureen said.
Looking ahead, Maureen dreams of turning her farm into a farm school to share her knowledge with more farmers. “I hope to get approval for our farm school. It’s my way of giving back to the community,” she said. Her message to fellow farmers is clear: “Don’t be afraid to embrace new technologies. They can help increase your yield, reduce costs, and make farming more manageable.”
Maureen’s story is a shining example of how technology can empower women in agriculture, transforming their lives and communities, and making a difference, one field at a time.
PLDT and Smart’s support for PPSA’s Scaling Up Sustainability Project to benefit women farmer leaders like Maureen is part of its broader goal, together with its partners, to boost livelihood productivity and efficiencies in agriculture. This also supports PLDT and Smart’s efforts to bridge the digital divide and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), specifically UNSDG No. 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
