The value of ICT intervention in rural areas can only be assessed if that provides some tangible opportunity to the rural people which meets their socio-economic needs.There is a need to analyse the value of ICT impact as the acceptability by the rural people will be there if those analysis are shown to them.An objective methodology should be designed for a concurrent evaluation of all the ICT in Rural Areas projects so that corrections can simultaneously be carried out along with the implementation.

[quote="sapnaaroranarula"] Dear Lisa, This is an important question as far as the use of ICTs in rural areas is concerned.Some heaviliy funded and fancy projects in India have failed because of the lack of proper implementation.Some major constraints as well as challenges are: lack of awareness Training of all stakeholders involved including farmers Lackof electricity Internernet connectivity data updation Design of information modules Cost factor Economies of scale These projects can be successfully implemented only if the infrastructural constraints are removed and the proper training is done. also the networking between various institutions is required regarding sharing of databases etc. Any further questions are welcome. sapna [/quote]

The future for application of Ict or more soecifically mobile based application is very promising.But one word of caution.It can be achieved unless we put all our hands together .The domain expert and the technology expert should work together.A comprehensive approach to informattion needs and information management should be worked out and consortium approach at the implementation level ishould be at place.We have seen piloting but no upscaling has been done .This is a worrying factor.The future depends on upscaling and acceptability than on piloting and forgetting. All we can make it a success by learning from each others' mistake and innovate at every time of mistake.

There is an old adage which says seeing is believing.The impact of ICT can be felt by the user and here by small and marginal farmers.It can be demonstrated by capturing the preintervention scenario and comparing that with the post intervention scenario.There are so many factors which needs to be taken in to account for the success of the project.If it is not a lopsided project then the impact on the livelihood can be demonstrated to others.For example in eKutir project all the risks that a farmer faces have been factored so that a farmer uses this facility by paying a service charge.It has not only enhanced the productivity of the crops but also price realisation of his product.

Hi Michael, Congrats for initiating a discussion on application of mobile phone in agriculture .Let me share some of my personal thoughts first and then I will highlight on the eKutir model. There are three aspects involved in the mobile based information system. 1 Who is providing the information?How relevant and authentic the information is ?Whether that information is acceptable to the user i.e farmer or not? 2.Technology platform on which the information is disseminated i.e mobile/internet based,radio etc 3.User.The profile of the user plays an important role in defining the technological application required for them. Keeping in view some of the practicalities and critical failure factor in some of the projects in the international field I have formulated three models to test the sustainability of ICT based development processes in rural areas.These models are based on some sound business principles and owened and operated by a local social entrepreneur/SHG Group/ a non profit NGO as a social entrepreneur.The project is under implementation in 10 backward blocks of Orissa,India.A concurrent evalution is going on and I will share the findings with you.Initial finding shows the SHG as a group of socila entrepreneur is very successful in taking technology in to the rural areas and creates an acceptability in the community. K.C.Mishra

Information dissemination pertaining to agriculture through affects the livlihood of the small and marginal farmers.For example the price and the aggregator information on mobile phone helps the farmer in making appropriate choice in selling his produce at a remunerative price .A pilot project under ekutir banner is being implemented in India to test the success of three different models and the success of that will be shared with the forum.Till now the information empowerement to the farmers is enhancing his social personality and income.

There are three important factors which need to be taken in to consideration for defining an appropriate strategy for m-agriextension in rural areas.The factors are the project should address to the small and marginal farmers,it should be demand driven not supply driven and it should respect the soverignty of agri knowledge of the local region.A farmer will use this services provided it has the ability to mitigate the risk which they are facing in agriculture.Just information will not help and escorting the farmer to use that information to their advantage is the critical factor for the success.We are piloting some innovative sustainable model under eKutir banner in India using the ICT platform which is bringing some success .

I am K.C.Mishra working as a consultant for agriculture specially for the small and marginal farmers in India.There is no dispute that ICT can play an importnat role in the field of agriculture and rural development and an oorganised entrepreneural approach is the need of the hour.This forum will give an innovative approach to this initiatives.

Hi Dr Rizvi, It is a good initiative.A good business model can be worked out and sustainability depends on that.We will talk more on this.l

I am K.C.Mishra,a consultant on IT initiatives in India.The penetrastion of mobile phone in rural areas can be used as a platform for dissemination of information on agriculture which can be converted in to opportunities by the farmer .There are some issues which I would like to flag for discussion are Which category of farmers the technology should address ? is it the rich farmer or the small and marginal farmer? The user identification is a must for successful implementation of the initiatives. What type of information should be given to the farmer? Is it demand driven information or the supply driven? Whether information is derived from the local knowledge or from other sources?The succeess of any information system have to capture the local content,local knowledge and local language.