The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and its partners, is extremely pleased to announce the launch of a new e-learning course entitled: "Experience capitalization for continuous learning”, freely accessible through the FAO E-learning Centre Experience capitalization for continuous learning How many times have you heard yourself saying “we don’t need to reinvent the wheel”? How often have your been asked to take stock of what has been done? Do you want to know how to learn lessons from the past, how to share and transfer knowledge? If so, this course if for you. This e-...
Feed the Future has launched the Data Driven Farming Prize, looking for tools and approaches that source, analyse and translate data into actionable, timely and context-specific information for smallholder farmers to improve value from agricultural productivity. In particular the data driven solutions will be tested in Nepal, and should be able to meet one or more of the following outcomes: Produce timely and context specific insight for improving the production of rice, other cereals and vegetables in Nepal. Support a more sustainable use of Nepal’s natural resources (i.e. increase...
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) , agriculture sector accounts for more than half of total employment in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and over 70 per cent in East African Community (EAC). But there is an issue threatening agricultural crops and practices more than any other these years: climate change, and the category most affected by this are smallholders farmers. Smallholders, who have learnt to plant and cultivate their crops according to ancestral knowledge, are now confronted with an issue which is much bigger than them and which they cannot control. In...
Congolese horticultural farmers learn how to produce quality vegetables required by supermarkets. They receive information on the rational use of plant protection products, composting and horticultural practices through various ICTs. A few organizations in the country are using ICTs to provide farmers with climate or marketing advice. These include CIAAD, CSAYN and CARITAS. The rural radio (RTNC), for example, in collaboration with two of its partners in the broadcasting system, supports the production of an interactive radio series, every morning from 5:30 am to 6:00 am. The objective was to...
We are working in the field of Agro Electronics since 25 years in India with major thrust on ICT for Irrigation by the brand, Nano Ganesh- A Mobile Based Remote Control System for the Water Pumps. During the course of this big time phase, we came across so many challenges faced by the farmers and they sought for the solutions. In all the ways, ICT was a major solution to solve their problems. I am listing and describing briefly how ICT is a magic for the farmers in sustainable crops. It may be interesting and entertaining to while reading few of unbelievable ICT applications we have provided...
Vision The vision of the Ministry is a modernised agriculture culminating in a structurally transformed economy and evident in food security, employment opportunities and reduced poverty. read more at www.mofa.gov.gh Mission MOFA’s Mission is to promote sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness through research and technology development, effective extension and other support services to farmers, processors and traders for improved livelihood. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) Information Communication and Technology Unit has implemented the E-Agriculture Programme which is...
The forum discussion on ICTs in Sustainable Crop Production Intensification (SCPI) of horticulture crop based systems ( mainly on fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers) was started on the 6th of March 2017. The question for week 1 was:- From your understanding and experiences, what is the role of ICTs in sustainable intensification of horticulture crop based systems for both the smallholder and commercial farmers . Summary of participation The majority of the participants concurred on the significant role of ICTs in the sustainable intensification of Horticulture crop-based systems basing on...
There are more than 570 million farms in the world of which over 500 million are family-owned. These smallholder farmers are confronted by many challenges – climate change, natural disasters, loss of biodiversity, increasing food price volatility, inefficient supply chains and others. Information and Communication Technologies can help smallholder farmers confront these challenges and improve their livelihoods. For instance, ICTs can increase access to financial services for rural communities, helping to secure savings, find affordable insurance and ultimately improve their well-being...
Greetings from Jerusalem and many thanks for keeping us in the loop. It is definitely a great opportunity to participate in the e-Agriculture platform on this important topic. A short answer to question No 2, comments are welcome: Sustainable intensification of strawberry production in the West Bank and Gaza Strip using computerized control system (WBGS ) In the WBGS, farmers are achieving a threefold increase in yields with only 70 percent of the water use compared to traditional greenhouse production by growing hanging strawberries. The strawberries are grown in soil-less media using a...
Agricultural Reference Bureau Value Chain Linkages Management Background When Zimbabweans talk about being into farming, the crops that spring to mind are typically; maize, sorghum, pearl millet, soya beans, wheat and tobacco, plus different types of livestock. On the horticulture side, one finds; onions, tomatoes, brassicas and peas. Not much is said about paprika, or “red gold”, as it is sometimes referred to. However, Zimbabwe’s climate is very well suited to growing high-quality paprika, as it is relatively drought resistant, and so has the potential to be a high-profit margin crop for...
