The Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OpAPA) project in Batac, Ilocos Norte has not limited its interventions to ICT modalities alone. It also embarked on a holistic approach to help uplift the living conditions of its beneficiaries, the members of the Quiling Tengnga-Laud-Libtong Zanjera Association, Inc. (QTLLZAI). The project also helped in conventional ways to enhance the operation of the association such as through the development of income-generating and value-adding activities.

These income generating activities include processing of special rice produced by its members and selling it in the form of packaged milled rice, as well as production of Effective Microorganisms Activated Solution (EMAS), a product that enhances the decomposition of farm and household organic wastes.

The week-long foundation celebration of Mariano Marcos State University in Batac served as an opportunity for QTLLZAI to promote and sell its processed products - special rice and EMAS.  The additional income being earned from these products will be used in maintaining the operation of the cyber community’s computer and Internet facilities.