As I read the thread from Manish's opening question: [quote=Manish Pandey] Q: What are the partnership models practiced in different countries in Asia, where the public and the private sector actors have come together to make e-agriculture work?[/quote] To the last entry above, there were a few points raised that I would like to hear more discussion on: [quote]-> How has the private sector been courted to enter PPPs to meet needs while finding value and profit in addressing a given opportunity? [quote=Ekanath Khatiwada]Still ISP are not realizing there huge market on agriculture sectors. If ICT sector realize the importance this sector and penetrate there services, it will be beneficial to the farmers (produces) and ICT sector equally. Finally it will boost the agric industry. [/quote] -> Who are the private entities in PPPs. Are they large enterprises, small entrepreneurs, investors,...? [quote=Paolo Barattini]"private" means big companies that want to penetrate the market...[/quote] -> How can PPP models be successfully be transferred from one innovation system to another or one cultural context to another? [quote=Naimur Rahman]At the same time, our experience in LifeLines has demonstrated that an innovative ICT application or a PPP model in Agriculture will be successful only when it is adapted to local context and be responsive to farmers' needs. [/quote] -> How have value propositions been created to drive demand for ICTs? [quote=Paolo Barattini]Let me pose a very simple question how much should the small farmer increase his/her earnings in order that the adoption of ITC is self-sustainable?[/quote] -> How have intermediaries been successfully disintermediated? [quote=Sapna A Narula]the farmers in India as well as other developing countries get exploited in the hands of intermediaries[/quote][/quote]

You said "the only hurdle is how to generate awareness among the farmers regarding the services available". Now we are talking my business, EVANGELISM!!! :D How indeed do we get farmers intersted in, no, let me restate that, DEMANDING access to technology that helps the farm more productively, make more money and have better lives? Does someone on the forum have examples where the tide changes from pushing technology TO farmers to a model where farmers are pusing technology to do more? Yours, Philip

Raj, Very interesting? I am curious how technology is adopted by the farmers and in the rural communities. Is there a strong desire to get acces to and connection with technology in order to leverage its power - that is to say is the demand driven by the populace? Or, does the community have to be sold on the value of technology and communications infrastructure? Yours, Philip

The question is interesting and very open :) I would ask a question back. How have you seen technology used in rural communities in ways that are not what you might conside mainstream? Have you seen uses in aggriculture that you found unique? Are there problems that are not being solved that you think could with a good technological solution that was appropriate for the community? Michael, as a college student, you represent the future! How are you using technology today and how do you think that will have an effect on aggriculture? Philip

Hello and Welcome, Does the data collected and processed in your efforts get back to the farmers and communities? If so, through what means? Philip

Can you tell us a bit about any uses of technology that these small and marginal farmers make? To get market data, aggricultural information, etc.? Thank you, Philip