1. Making ICTs more relevant: creating spaces for rice farmers’ participation in ICT policies in the Philippines Jaime A Manalo IV jamanalo4@email.philrice.gov.ph Anne Marie Jennifer E Eligio amj_eligio@email.philrice.gov.ph

2. More inclusive ICTs USERS’ PERSPECTIVES literacy, age, language, culture-based nuances have a bearing in farmers’ willingness to try ICT-based modalities INTERPERSONAL AND MASS MEDIA remain to be preferred sources of information PARTICIPATORY APPROACH Scoping studies PM&E PARTICIPATORY APPROACH Scoping studies PM&E FINDINGS POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS SOCIAL CONTEXT Refers to the different social factors with particular attention to the needs and opportunities present in the community. MODES OF COMMUNICATION Complementation of face-to-face +mediated (ICT-and non-ICT-based) communication

3. PhilRice-commissioned ICT4D studies – Assessment of e- readiness of five top rice-producing provinces of the Philippines – Rice-based Farm Households’ Information Sources

4. Findings USERS’ PERSPECTIVES – Literacy – Age – Language – Culture-based nuances

5. Findings Interpersonal and mass media as preferred sources of information Frequency

6. Recommendations Scholars should pay attention both to the environment and users’ perspectives

7. Complementation of face-to-face and mediated communication (ICT- or non-ICT- based) initiatives Recommendations

8. Farmers should be given voice in the process of developing ICT applications. Recommendations

9. Some areas needing farmers’ participation Content development Form Language Preferred infomation channel Level of participation Recommendations

10. Conclusion Farmers’ involvement is key to more inclusive ICTs Implementers must be faithful to the tenets of the participatory approach Participation is not a panacea

11. Assessment of e-readiness of the five top rice- producing provinces of the Philippines Jaime Manalo IV ; Hanah Hazel Mavi Biag Glenn Ylar; Cristina Frediles; Salembai Abdullah; Elmer Harold Grande Rice-based Farm Households’ Information Sources Rhemilyn Relado; Ronell Malasa; Sonia Asilo Acknowledgments