Dear Raul: I agree with your strategy and want to put emphasis in the "key" topic of incentives. People in general, cannot see clearly the advantages of having information systems at a community (or higher) level. On the other hand, they can calculate inmediatly the costs and time needed to support it. The equation is so bad for ICT promoters, but it changes dramatically if you can demonstrate economical benefits of participating in such effort. For example: a traceability system can grow up prices or open new markets; an intelligent irrigation system can reduce losses and increase water availability for all, it can also let introduce other management practices for better quality. Once u have the "$" incentive, the others can be assimilated fast and better. That considerations leads me to believe that, socio-economic and political issues must be taken in account during the first phase of strategic planning of any ICT major project. Best regards, Marcelo [quote="Raul Hopkins"] [quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] Question 5 (14 Dec.) What suggestions do you have for integrating ICT into agricultural value chain development projects and programs? What consideration must be given to the people, institutions and processes that are impacted by the introduction/use of ICT? [/quote] Yves, Marcelo and Sonigitu have touched the crucial issue of cooperation. What can be done about it? Based on our experience I have four specific suggestions for projects that are integrating ICTs into agricultural value chain initiatives: 1. Map out all the relevant people and institutions that are going to be impacted by the introduction of ICTs (e.g.: farmers' organizations, input suppliers, processors, retailers, public agencies); 2. During the design/formulation phase consult them extensively, promoting a genuine process of sharing and learning from each other; 3. In the implementation phase introduce an appropriate set of incentives where every body has a responsibility; and 4. Promote periodic and transparent mechanisms of communication between stakeholders which helps to build trust and local ownership. Difficult technical problems are easier to overcome when the necessary space for dialogue and learning is created Naturally, it is not always easy to practice all these principles. There is often a tension and trade off between the need to meet pre-established deadlines and to promote a genuine cooperation processes. Developing trust and participation ensures sustainability but takes time! In these matters there are no pre-set recipes. [/quote]

I agree with Yves, that cooperation at several levels is the most difficult ICT project issue to manage. In institutions or nations where isolated research & development culture is the standar, intedisciplinary ways of formulating, and solving complex problems is very, very difficult. To cross teams, organizations, enterprises, goverment agencies, state and national infraestructures, is a big challenge to develope efective information systems and services to promote rural living. But, in our point of view, to develope a good ICT strategy becomes first than any technology "ready to use".

Hi all; I´m Marcelo Bosch, an Eng. agronomist with a degree in informatics who works at National Institute for Agriculture Technology in Argentina. I´m interested in problems and topics about ICT in Agriculture, both for e-science and e-development. We are exploring better ways to integrate ICT with traditional research and extension in agriculture, specially in a interdisciplinary mode. We think cooperation in everyways is a must, for broaden vision and for better conditions for innovation. I´ll be reading you all, and probably contact some of you with same interestes. Nice to meet you. More information at www.inta.gov.ar/info/ntic.htm