Question 2 (opens 14 Nov.)

I agree with you Fatima and Kelly that training of human resource in the agricultural sector on ICT is a very vital aspect and so, the need to prioritize it is in order. That is why in my earlier posting (Quetion I) specifically in the field of academe, enhancing the curriculum by strengthening the trainings of agriculture students at that early, on the use of ICT, should be done so that once they get exposed to the world of work ICT would no longer be stranger to them. In fact, they could help farmers be trained and be equipped too to this new media technology. With this, it could have a multiplier effect.  

Reviewing to your posts, I have few lines to add:

To Yitzchak613 & Sansu,

Social mobilization and cooperation that you mentioned create a social action of sharing and solidarity especially towards those in need and less fortunate, those cannot afford purchasing technological tools for means of communication.

To Gigi,

Networking and linkages can minimize effort, time, and budget and yet obtain the goals of the tasks productively.

To Kelly, Fatima, & Arnel,

Empowering the farmers and human resources to learn and collaborate in the process of the realization of the projects, plans, and producing activities allows them to feel their belongingness to the organization, that they are part of it, at the same time motivating them to be reliable to practice the so-called "co-responsibiity" and become "co-producers and co-builders" for the actualization of the works.  And also they may feel that their worth and capacity are being valued.

Priority areas for investment in the agricultural sector

This report is the result of a joint cooperation between the World Bank and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It provides an overview of priority areas for investment in the agricultural sector of Pakistan, which include (i) agricultural research and extension; (ii) the seed sector; (iii) water resources; and (iv) rural finance. Its main findings were presented at the ‘International Roundtable on Agriculture and Water Resources Management’ in Islamabad, Pakistan on March 8-9, 2011.

The opinions expressed in this report are the sole responsibility of its main authors.

http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/rust/docs/Pakistan_inside%20pages.pdf

March

2012

Building a regional future

As we all know, we cannot live without feeding and clothing ourselves or taking refuge from inclement weather, and we therefore need to produce increasing quantities of food, energy, and essential goods and services, from pharmaceuticals to weather forecasts to early warning services. At the same time, we are learning about climate change and becoming increasingly aware of the irreparable damage done to our planet, and we are debating plans to reverse (if possible) the most aggressive environmental processes. Agriculture, in the broadest sense, is tightly related to these issues. It has been one of the decisive factors in the biological, social and cultural evolution of humanity.

http://www.eclac.cl/socinfo/noticias/paginas/3/44983/newsletter18ENG.pdf

Mobile Applications for Agriculture and Rural Development

 The dynamic growth of mobile communications technology is creating opportunities for economic growth, social empowerment, and grassroots innovation in developing countries. One of the areas with the greatest potential impact is in the contribution that mobile applications can make to agricultural and rural development (ARD), by providing access to information, markets, and services to millions of rural inhabitants. For both agricultural supply and demand, mobile phones can reduce waste, make delivery more efficient, and forge closer links between farmers and consumers.

(available at http://www.ictinagriculture.org).

It is our hope that this volume will help ARD policymakers and development practitioners moreeffectively harness mobile applications to generate economic and social opportunities with lasting impacts.

http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INFORMATIONANDCOMMUNICATIONANDTECHNOL...

Hi Rita. I agree with you when you mentioned mobile applications for agriculture and rural development as a priority area on which producer organizations should invest in, especially considering the fact that most of these PO's are small and financially-limited. I've read a few success stories in developing countries like Kenya and Uganda, that have used mobile technology to improve how their system works, and so I believe that exploring more on the adaption of this ICT tool must be a serious consideration.

Hi Brenda. Can you tell us any more about the success stories from Kenya and Uganda?

Hi Michael,

I just love to share some great mobile application we are using here to interact and effectively work with various producer organisations.

We are using a web based sms platform (frontline sms). With it, we are able to gather market info, pests and disease information, new developments and any other key resources for farmers, upload it and distribute it by sms to various farmers from the various POs.

Feedback tells us that there has been a great impact as local producers are no longer cheated by middlemen buyers, they are more prepared to handle certain pests and diseases and are even upto date.

Google has launched a text message-based version of its email service targeted at users in Africa.

Gmail SMS can run on so-called "dumb phones" which only have very basic features and no access to the internet.

The service has so far been made available in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18898967

 AppLab (initiative of the Grameen Foundation) which was developed in Ghana using ethnographic research, needs assessment research, and rapid prototyping methods is another series of mobile phone applications and services that allow people to access information on agriculture and other topics. (Source: IFLA DOI: 10.1177/0340035210378838)

James, that is really interesting. Thanks for sharing.

I understand you are in Uganda working with the Nakaseke Community Multimedia Centre. Would you tell us a bit more about your work with producer organizations? What types of organizations are these? How long have you been doing this work?

Cheers.

Innitially there existed cooperative stores and organisations where farmers used to meet, discuss issues and keep their harvest, which was later marketed jointly but many broke off this system, citing incompetence in their leaders, poor record keeping and many other challenges.

Following this background, Nakaseke Multimedia Centre joined the local governments and innitiated a campaign to restore such networks and as of now, a good number of POs have opened up. These mainly include; coffee, maize and beans as these are the main crops grown here.

In this innitiative, The Nakaseke CMC worked on designing a web based sms platform using frontline sms, compiled farmers' database (residence, phone number, enterprise involved in) and we have also compiled a list of possible buyers with contact addresses (phone numbers, store locations). (We have had several trainings for these groups on how to access and effectively use the sms service).

After gathering CURRENT market information which includes prices, buyers and their contact info, we send this out via sms. First, Individual farmers are discouraged to sell and deal with middlemen buyers to avoid being cheated. So, they meet and find ways of gathering produce so that they get one better buyer.

The same information is also disseminated to other community members who may have no access to mobile phones through our community radio, and this means that we reach all kinds of communities and people, as radio is considered the cheapest and commonest means.

Also, we are working closely with local governments extension staff at sub counties and other technical people in various agricultural fields to provide possible answers to farmers' technical questions. These questions from farmers usually come back to the Nakaseke CMC also via sms, we send replies (with support of technical staff).

An agricultural show was also designed and in place to specifically answer these questions live over the community broadcaster. So, if some one missed an sms, at least he/she cant miss a radio show. The show also features group members who usually share experiences and success stories.

We been working with these groups closely for the last five years, (though sms service has been here for 1 and half years now).