Question 1 (opens 12 Nov.)
Question 1: What roles does ICT play in producer organizations? Support examples with specific reference to an organization, the technology tool(s), and content delivered.
In particular consider:
- How can ICT facilitate accountability and transparency among members of an organization and between different organizations?
- How can ICT facilitate climate change adaptation among members of an organization and the rural communities where the organization is active?
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Very useful information, thanks.
Dolores, I think your point is well taken. The role of ICT as a learning tool, rather than as a tool for cummunication has been under-emphasized. Unfortunately the vast majority of the potential learners out in rural areas are either illiterate or possess only minimal literacy, numeracy and business management skills. While multi-media approaches are effective, they are also very expensive. Voice-based ICT approaches (rural radio and mobile phones, or a combination of both to promote inter-activity probably make more sense as a tool for reaching and involving the vast majority.
Yes John Rouse, your opinion is perfectly right. Not all those in the rural areas have access to modern technologies particularly the used of Internet, computers and other modern devices even they may have the knowledge but socio-geographical under developed situation and economic factors could be the hindrances for the prospective farmers and producers or people in that rural or developing regions to highly log on to the practice of technological advancement in this matter. I agree with you and with Bryan and Dr. Sandy that there are other means of disseminating information such as the use of the traditional ones in media practice, the radio and the common patronage of the public, the television and the cellular phone or promoting circulated printed materials could be of help.
To disseminate agricultural information and technology updates efficiently and effectively, the Department of Agriculture makes use of the quadmedia (radio, print, television and internet). So, it's a combination of the use of modern ICTs and the traditional media to reach the vast number of farmers and agriculture stakeholders including those living in the far-flung areas. Barangay Agricultural Information Centers (BAICs) are established in partnership with the rural communities, with DA providing IEC materials while the barangay providing the building and takes charge of the maintenance of the BAIC. BAIC is effective in serving the information needs of the rural residents. We also have radio and television agri programs. For the use of ICTs, we have the Farmers Contact Centers and the Farmers Information Technology Services Centers, among others. We also make use of the face-to-face contacts like the conduct of farmers' forum, congresses, cliniquing, information caravan, consultations, farm visit and other means. We also utilize the Local Farmer Technicians, the Magsasakang Siyentista, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), NGOs, CSOs, POs and the private sector to help us in disseminating information and extending services to our farmers. Public-private partnership is DA's major strategy in implementing programs and projects for optimum results and sustainability. - Joyce Wendam
Hi Adrian,
The way I perceive it, and from what we have been taught during our DevCom days, ICT need not be complex or inaccessible high-technology. Community radio operated by DevCom practitioners can be considered as ICT with agricultural communities at the receiving end. Fliers, bulletins, and simple brochures written in the local tongue about the latest farming technology can also be considered as ICT. If many of those in the agricultural sector are illiterate, then posters and training sessions could be the medium of choice.
Bry
Hi Bryan!
I agree with you!
I wanted to say that in my initial post, that technology doesn't have to be high-tech as there are other forms of technology which can be used to bridge the gap between the producers and farmers, especially in marketing their produce.
The traditional media technology can still serve its purpose to benefit the farmers on their end, and there are various creative ways to elicit farmers' participation so as to move them towards better market opportunities.
Hello Bry, I agree with your position on the matter and must I add a very important approach in this direction. That is, the use of popular language or the simple non technical tone which can be easily understood by even the poorest farmers marginalized in education.
Yes, Andy; this brings to mind delivery mechanisms (technology and offered language options). The use of popular language, local language or the simple non-technical tone I think is central to the usefulness of ICT within the agricultural development context.
Yes Arnel, like what some of us agree that we are now in the era of ICT's process of transition, ICT migration from analog to digital, how much more human being are also greatly affected of the movement and development of time, modernization and globalization. Yes, the old generation according to Fr. Gigi is of his heartfelt concern for the proposal of a new paradigm shift with the new culture of ICT, I also side in your opinion that using local language as medium of instruction or delivering information to the local is significant in order to be more effective in giving instruction and information. This is not to underestimate the capacity of our fellows in adjusting languages, but as we can see most of our radio and television stations in the rural areas are adapting their own local languages, and I noticed this practice in some parts of the Philippines. Yes, maybe in addition is to improve more the use of own language in the printed materials and news information publications in the local setting. I appreciate your idea.
Yes Sister., end-users/farmers/individuals relate better to content they can understand; studies report that the local language is always being preferred for the obvious reason that it gives them the capacity to assess, apply and act upon the information provided. That's one feature of one of the ICT projects in Indian agriculture in the case study of Glendenning and Ficarelli (2011)- aAqua (almost All questions answered) with textual content stored in a language independent fashion which enables users to assess, apply, and apply and use content/knowledge/information because it can be accessed in their preferred language.