Farmers, fisherfolk take on TikTok, with PLDT & Smart’s ‘Buy Local’ initiative

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) actively lead agro-enterprises towards digitalization as an income-boosting tool by introducing them to shoppertainment, a marketing strategy that brings entertainment into commerce.  

To further this cause and in celebration of the National Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’ Month, PLDT and Smart have partnered with TikTok and the Department of Agriculture for ‘BuyLocal Bazaar’, a special shopping sales event at TikTok Shop to help boost the income of its partner farmers and agro-enterprise merchants.

“We at PLDT and Smart believe that technology plays a significant role in boosting Filipino livelihoods, especially during the pandemic. We have witnessed how learning about and utilizing digital tools can help farming communities and other enterprises adapt to changing times. This collaboration with TikTok and the Department of Agriculture can help level up our partners’ entrepreneurial skills,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.

In the last two years, the PLDT Group has rolled out initiatives that supported the livelihood of farmers, cooperatives, Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), members of women and faith-based organizations, and indigenous cultural communities.

 

These include the Digital Farmers Program, eBiznovation learning sessions, FarmSmart Farm, PlantSmart, and ‘Buy Local’, all of which promote and help strengthen livelihood and food security across the country through technology-abled and purpose-driven solutions.

 

As the Philippines continues to make its way towards economic recovery, PLDT and Smart continue to work with like-minded organizations and other stakeholders to promote the use of technology to drive communities to progress and increase livelihood opportunities this year.

 

Promoting the use of shoppertainment aims to expand the online selling channels of PLDT and Smart’s partner agro-enterprises through generating entertaining content that emphasizes the relevance, fun, and community of online shopping.

 

PLDT and Smart’s partner agro-enterprises can create unique videos that will feature their products on TikTok Shop enabling them to reach a wider audience. This can also provide participating farmers, cooperatives, and MSMEs access to different markets through immersive and organic connection via a variety of content.

 

This initiative is under PLDT and Smart’s ‘eBizNovation’, a digital skilling-to-e-commerce program for MSMEs and cooperatives to help expand their market reach and boost their income.

 

PLDT and Smart have trained around 10,000 participants from MSMEs, cooperatives, and IP-led and small tourism business on technopreneurship topics such as social media marketing and selling on e-commerce platforms in partnership with various local government units and government agencies nationwide.

 

The PLDT Group remains fully committed to uplifting the quality of lives of Filipinos through livelihood opportunities from technology. This is aligned with the United Nations’ SDG #1: No Poverty and SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.