PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently joined Project Rebound’s online forum on Agriculture that discussed technology-based solutions in ensuring food security in the country amid the instability due to the pandemic, climate change, and the ongoing global crisis.

“Lack of food affects us all. Our programs at PLDT and Smart aim to improve the agriculture sector through technology which contributes to accelerating production, linking producers with buyers, and improving the overall quality of life of our farmers,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

With food security as one of their core advocacies, PLDT and Smart reiterated their commitment to help the country’s agriculture sector through continuously expanding its network across the country to provide Filipinos with quality connectivity, leaving no one behind. Through connectivity and technology, the PLDT group aims to help strengthen the capacity of farming communities and enable them to access better opportunities.

To help the government achieve its goal in creating a food secure and resilient Philippines with prosperous farmers and fisherfolk, PLDT and Smart implement shared value programs on agriculture and food security under its FarmSmart advocacy. This includes the Digital Farmers Program, a capacity-building initiative that enables farmers to keep up with current technology and empowers them into becoming agriprenuers using digital tools which can help improve their livelihood.

Under the Buy Local program, PLDT and Smart locally source rice from farming communities which are either donated to feeding programs or sold to the PLDT group’s employees and affiliates at an affordable price. This in turn has provided farmers with direct access to market and an additional source of income.

PLDT and Smart also started urban gardening initiatives and distributed PlantSmart kits to communities, encouraging Filipino households to grow their own food, for access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food at all times.

Aside from providing food assistance, PLDT and Smart also support projects of organizations that are already on the ground running to help eradicate hunger and improve nutrition among communities.

PLDT and Smart continue to work with public and private stakeholders to help address food crisis in the Philippines. This is in line with the companies’ commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #2 of Zero Hunger.