Thanks, Anju, for this informative post which kind of explain well why some countries may not have an e-agriculture strategy in place -- not to be ironic about it, considering our question, but an interesting point to note :) Anyway, it is thrue that in places a framework may not have been articulated as such but still interesting initiatives may be taken. The problem with that is that (contrary to the Fiji case) it is not always clear what the vision is and what the strategic goals are (all of which would have been clearly articulated in an explicit strategy.) 

But do rural telecentres really contribute to that vision of Fiji as a regional ICT hub? In what ways? Or is the agriculture a little left behind in the pursuit of that vision?

Bonjour Abou,

What you wrote sounds theoretically well, but I wanted to ask you whether from what you see on the ground you can really say ICTs are simple, particularly in the context of agriculture and farming in ACP countries? Do farmers or even extension workers think they are simple tools that make their life a lot better? Again based on experience, do ICTs significantly increase the number of people reached by agricultural services, especially among their primary stakeholders (i.e. farmers and extension workers)?

I am asking this because elsewhere, the technology may appear challenging to use effectively to solve old needs that used to be solved through long established practices. Also there might be some factors of resistance. For instance in Ghana (but this could be many other places across Africa and beyond) where I was discussing related issues with a staff at the Ministry of Agric, the latter complained about extension workers dragging their feet to adopt some of the ICT-based services because it would then mean they won't get to come to Accra as much for their job (for anyone who doesn't live in the capital city, it's always good to visit once in awhile particularly if lodging and subsistence are take care of.)

I'm afraid designers, whether of policy or technology, often have in mind a model user/citizen that looks very much like themselves but much less like the user/citizen out there on the ground or in the field.

By the way, this thread touches upon the topic we will be discussing on Week 2 relating to Stakeholders, Challenges and Lessons learned etc. So Anyone else who would like to dig into this may want to keep that contribution for the next week provided that you're certain you're going to remember posting it (otherwise I'd rather have you chip in here than lose your contribution.) 

Thanks

Peter,

That's a good point about the absence of any substantial reference to ICTs in the Agricultural policy. What about the ICT Policy framework, is there any significant reference to agriculture in there?
Thanks!

Thank you Stella for this contribution right on point.

Thanks, Henry, for this very informative outline of the steps taken at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Malawi for the promotion of e-agriculture, and for the link to the ICT Policy document. This post is also much relevant for the discussion of Question 2 started earlier today.

Mawaki

I am assuming that website is public: Could you please provide us with the link/address? Thanks

Hi Clement,

Did you get the sense that such partnership was part of a national strategy or was that an ad hoc sponsorship lent by the government to that private sector player? Why (if the former what are the strategic objectives being pursued)?

mawaki

Nganwani,

How do you see innovative applications like ACE in the context of Ghana policy framework and strategy? Have you experienced or do you hinderance or are the right incentives in place due to the policy framework? Could you please elaborate on any link you see between those two elements?
Thanks,

Mawaki

* Apart from the typo in the message, you must also have understood that I meant to write 'Over to you!' (not 'up to you').