Question 1 (7 Dec.)

Hi All What types of ICT? I would like to divide ICT mainly in to two types; Traditional ICT tools, such as Televisions, Radios, etc. and Modern ICT tools, such as mobile phones, computers, internet, etc. Different types of ICT play different roles Different types of ICT have different strengths and also weaknesses. I think this is where we need ICT and Agriculture experts to work together to find the right tool for right role. Sameera.

I agree with Sameera that there are different types and categories of ICT, and that it is important to determine which are appropriate in any given context. We hope this forum will help develop our understanding of that. A variety of examples, from bar coding, to SMS text messaging, mobile phones, and the Internet are presented as means by which increased competitiveness can be achieved through the use of ICT in a recent USAID paper. (A link "ICT & Value Chain Development" found in the Resources section of this forum will take you to the full paper.) Does anyone think it would be useful (and possible) to assign different roles in the value chain to different types of ICT? Or would that be too much of a generalization?

Today, the ICT systems are playing an important role in Agricultural Value chains. The level of use depend on different variables: 1) Level of educations of the producers or "actors" of the Agricultural food chains (more level more use) ; 2) Level of organization of the agri-chain (associations of producers, cooperatives) (more level more use); 3) Type of goods produced ; if the product has a international market of reference, for example commodities like rice, sugar, cereals in general, coffee, that have commodities exchange at international level is so common that the main producers and actors of these agri chains use Internet and other ICT (mobile phones, radio) to obtain information to take the decision to sell or not. More linkage to international markets more use of ICT. 4) Price transmission. When the prices transmission is more direct or in other words, the international prices affect more the national prices, the actors of the agri chains use more technology to obtain information about the market.

Does anyone think it would be useful (and possible) to assign different roles in the value chain to different types of ICT? Or would that be too much of a generalization? Good Question Michael. The answer could be YES but in others cases NO, let me try to explain. Agrifood chains use Internet to obtain information, but in some occasions it is used to offer their products (web pages). TV: In all countries TV is a media to disseminate information, in others countries for example Argentina and Uruguay, TV programs are been using for cattle producers to offer their animals, is a way to commercialize products. Mobile phones: It is a media of communication, and in some countries associations of producers send messages to their members through this technology.

One of my favorite quotes about ICTs and agriculture is that "understanding the place of ICTs in a developing country agriculture depends on four key concepts: i) that knowledge is an increasingly significant factor of production; ii) that all actors in the agricultural sector are part of an evolving Agricultural Knowledge System (AKS); iii) that ICTs accelerate agricultural development by facilitating knowledge management for AKS members; and iv) that ICTs are essential coordinating mechanisms in global trade (USAID, 2003). In addition to this quote, we need ICTs to facilitate the work of knowledge generators within the chain (researchers and farmers); we need ICTs to facilitate the work of the intermediary organizations that broker knowledge/information between knowledge generators and users; and finally we need ICTs to facilitate the work of consumers. Also ICTs can be classified into capturing technologies; storage technologies; processing technologies; communications technologies; and display technologies. My One Cent for now!

[quote="michaelriggs"] Does anyone think it would be useful (and possible) to assign different roles in the value chain to different types of ICT? Or would that be too much of a generalization? [/quote] I agree with Henry Benavides' answer : yes and no. Each situation, culture and context will probably call for a slightly different use of ICT's, and it may be difficult to assign specific roles to specific types of ICT. But it may be interesting to further investigate the correlation between the types of ICT that are used related to the type/level of organisation, the kind of product etc. as Henry also suggests. I guess there is a certain logic in the premise that more complex transactions/communications call for more complex and more intensive ICT-systems. On the other hand, I am inclined to amend Henry's premise that there is a direct correlation between the education level and the use of ICT's. In several pilot projects in Mali and Burkina Faso over the past four years, we've seen that the use of multimedia (digital photo, video, presentations, projections, etc.) can be quickly adopted by even non-literate farmers, and that the very fact that these non-intellectuals become producers of information can greatly enhance the trust of their fellow farmers in the information that is provided. We have witnessed a greater willingness by farmers to adopt new farming technologies and methodologies with this use of multimedia by farmers themselves. See also the article "Farmers teach farmers with ICT's" in the resource section.

[quote="sameera"] Different types of ICT have different strengths and also weaknesses. I think this is where we need ICT and Agriculture experts to work together to find the right tool for right role. [/quote] Good point, Sameera. The users and the context in which they evolve does eventually dictate what tools are most appropriate at a certain point in time. One of the problems may be that the context and the technologies evolve rapidly and that it is thus difficult to determine whether the right tool now will still be the right tool tomorrow. I would also like to add multimedia (digital camera, video etc.) to the list. Maybe an important distinction to make is the one between analog and digital ICTs - the latter having the obvious advantage that data once digitized can freely and easily be adapted and distributed along different types of ICTs. From that perspective, one could for instance propagate the digitization of community radio stations - in order to facilitate networking and information exchange via other channels such as the Internet, podcasts, etc.

Dear all, There are different kinds of ICTs being used for improving efficiency in agriculture value chain. If we take the example of India Traditional media:TV and rdio have long been used by the Government to disseminate information throgh various programmes . the most important being krishi darshan . Radio is , thogh more popular among village folk. Now-a-days TV penetration has increased in farming households hence , it has become popular too Besides this modern tools such as Computers and mobile phones are also being used in various programmes by Ministry of agriculture. Nokia has come up with Nokia Life Tools , an SMS based service available on subscription to farmers Thomson Reuters has also started Reuters Market light Project and sell SMS based on need based customised information Multimedia based technologies are also quite useful as they provide the farmers to see and believe . Here, i would mention the case of Handygo, a informtaion service provider, who are using IVR (interactive voice response ) system, where a farmer gets automated response on their queries. Also all the questions put up are also recorded. would be happy to take any more questions/queries thanks

Hi Lisa, I've read the responses to your first question. The discussion is already very enlightening for me. Most of the inputs for now deal with information dissemination. I wonder whether I'm still in the topic of this e-forum if I ask the ICT experts to share their thoughts about information management technologies and how these can work in developing country contexts. I'm thinking in particular about data bases used by market intermediaries and facilitators to manage their supply chains. In the more elaborate business partnerships of a strategic alliance between supplier and customer, such data bases are shared in order to optimize the logistics of value chains. Many food retailers in industrialized countries share this technology with their most trusted suppliers. Has this already been extended to developing countries? With the globalization of agrifood value chains, how can we help smallholder farmers and SMEs get prepared to face increased demands for data management about their practices? Jo

Hi, ICT is usefull and can play a major role when farmers are enabled. However, we mostly talk about roles and benefits that are obvious to us (interllectuals), but certainly, not known to many farmers. For example, the traditional ICT (the media) as Sameera pointed out the TV and radio, good toold, but, in reality are not accessible to many rural people in Africa. As such, ICT role might not be visible. To some areas NGOs use mobile TV screen and a video player to show rural people important farming information or techniques, but, since, most of the time the video played is in foreign language understading seems either limited of extremely low. To me the role ICT can play is more on increasing the literacy level, as a means of a new attractive technology that might attract the attention of the rural people and can be a potent tool in reducing illiteracy and increasing agricultural production. Mohamed

[quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] Question 1 (7 Dec.) What types of ICT can play a role in the agricultural value chain? How do different types of ICT play different roles? [/quote It all depends on socio-cultural and economics factors. Among the rural poor, radios could do and middle class TV and mobile phones can do. For those practicing large scale farming and horticulture may depend on innovative ICT like internet, teleconferencing, instant sms on markets and diseases

[quote="jo.cadilhon"] Hi Lisa, I've read the responses to your first question. The discussion is already very enlightening for me. Most of the inputs for now deal with information dissemination. I wonder whether I'm still in the topic of this e-forum if I ask the ICT experts to share their thoughts about information management technologies and how these can work in developing country contexts. I'm thinking in particular about data bases used by market intermediaries and facilitators to manage their supply chains. In the more elaborate business partnerships of a strategic alliance between supplier and customer, such data bases are shared in order to optimize the logistics of value chains. Many food retailers in industrialized countries share this technology with their most trusted suppliers. Has this already been extended to developing countries? With the globalization of agrifood value chains, how can we help smallholder farmers and SMEs get prepared to face increased demands for data management about their practices? Jo [/quote] Dear Jo, The concept pof database sharing through the supply chain between customer and producer is in infancy stage in developing countries. rather developing countries have been doing more in backward linkages of the supply chain . Though the efforts have started. i.e. In india, we are also working to connect to global supply chains, but the infrastructure remains the constraint. to connect to global consumer we need ICT and marketing infrastructure to build efficiency across te chain. Government is also doing a lot through commodity-specific agri-export zones established at various locations Thanks, Jo

First, I thank you for this key questions, "What type of ICT can play a role in the agricultural value chain? How do different types of ICT play different roles? Before I tackle any of the above key questions, I would like to put my self clear to everyone that gonna be responding focusing on lay-man experience from rural Africa. Right in response to question one this is what I have to say Agricultural information production with satellite Receivers I happened to be one of the lucky participants for very important CTA Training workshop in Agricultural Information Production with Satellite Receivers which took place last year in Ghana . This technology of Satellite radio receivers is excellent for rural communities here in Africa where phone and radio networks are poor. The technology bypasses the internet and yet you can still download web-based content posted on the respective satellite. Even at a place with zero radio and phone network coverage the satellite radio receiver can still pick the signals from space. The first day I downloaded content from the satellite, I had a number of CTA publications in softcopy and I imagined if I was to order them by post, how much time it could take! Also, up to this moment I could not stop to imagine how much I could spend to have the real publications sent to me via post than to have them printed here in my village. Also I could not stop to imagine how I could bypass the custom charges as no one can stop content download from space to my computer. I consider this as the best ICT media so far for undeserved rural communities here in Uganda and Africa in general and the only limitation now is the inadequate content posted on the satellite as well as language hindrances not forgetting ready technical services in case of a fault just like in my current situation. Lastly, if this technology is developed hand in hand with solar technology then the majority of Rural Community farmers are likely to benefit at very low costs. In response to question two this is what I have to say Internet -It has reduced costs for information access for those who really have the basics in computer knowledge. For most of the farmers in rural areas of Uganda are poor to afford expensive agricultural hardcopy literatures but at the moment one can access just a section of his or her interest from internet and get printed out. I remember, before CTA started donating publication to my Organization, we wanted to have information on beekeeping as we wanted to implement the project in our villages. We looked for beekeeping textbooks from all the key book stores here in Uganda , but failed. We then tried to look for information from internet and the books were again expensive. We got some sites where the information was available which we printed out for everyone to share in our village and this is the time we leant of CTA services. I remember, we used like a dollar to have the information and also to read more about CTA' products and services as compared to so much dollars we would use to purchase just a book on beekeeping. In summary, I look at internet as best approach to share information cheaply with poor farmers deep in villages here in Uganda and Africa in general if at all they get training in basic computing, have appropriate ICT equipments and infrastructure developed within their reach that suit the Rural Africa setting. Mobile phones When I look at farmers in my village, some have phones others not. Those who have phones, very few can really utilize SMS option. Most of them cannot read a message sent on their cell phones as they cannot follow on with the steps usually in foreign languages which they don't know. SMS would have been the best way but language and technology know-how limitations are still a challenge in rural areas.

"Does anyone think it would be useful (and possible) to assign different roles in the value chain to different types of ICT? Or would that be too much of a generalization?" - Michael It is nearly impossible to generalize Sameera

[quote="jo.cadilhon"] I wonder whether I'm still in the topic of this e-forum if I ask the ICT experts to share their thoughts about information management technologies and how these can work in developing country contexts. [/quote] Hi Jo, My feeling is that information management technologies are still in their early stages in developing countries - that is, if we talk about IMT's [u]owned[/u] by the users themselves. In Mali, one of IICD's local partners FRUILEMA (a grouping of five fruit exporting firms) is working with a web-based platform 'Fresh Food Trace' (including databases and GIS), developed by the Senegalese firm Manobi, which does facilitate certification and traceability. However, we also see that the appropriation of such a heavy tool by non-experimented users is not an easy task at all, and that dependency relations with the platform-vendor (e,g. Manobi) can intervene negatively in the process. In the case of the farmers' federation FEPPASI in Burkina Faso, we chose for a step-by-step approach during which the farmers first appropriate themselves the basic ICT tools, then proceed to a more complex setting, and now are in the stage of developing and enhancing an internal database on product quantities and quality.

Response to this question. What positive impact can ICT have on the agricultural value chain? More specifically, where in the value chain can ICT reduce transaction costs? To reduce cost, to reduce times of transaction, to inform about prices and other variables of the commercialization (place to deliver, payments conditions, quality). A case, is common that a farmer transports his products from his farm (Point A) to wholesale market (Point B); most of the time, without knowledge of the price of selling, quality conditions, and obviously he has to pay costs of transportation. Sometimes, someone buys this product in the wholesale market (Point B) and transport again the product to the "Point A", because this buyer has his enterprise in this Point. This situation is called "Freight false". Using an information system we can avoid freight false and to inform the farmer all variables of the market including place to deliver, prices, etc. Sometimes the product could be selling before, directly from "the origin", avoiding to transport this product to the wholsale market. The commodities exchange use ICT (information system) and the commercialization of agri products increase his efficiency.

Dear all, The points from Flaureuys, Samera, Michealriggs, Henry Benavides and Sapnaroamarula are great. The issue of Cultural background and Religion plays lot of role in developing agricultural ICT chains in developing Countries. The impact of transporting products from point (A) to (B) most time creates great looses to the farmer. Thank you

[quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] Question 1 (7 Dec.) What types of ICT can play a role in the agricultural value chain? How do different types of ICT play different roles? [/quote] Dear All, I tend to think in terms of what Services are required to have an economic or social impact and then the technology that is accessible, affordable and the degree to which it will have the desired impact. For example, price dissemination service can be achieved via Radio, Cell Phone SMS or the Internet. Radio is most affordable yet the richness of the information is limited - you have to be listening at the particular time and write it down if you wish to follow the trend. The internet on the other hand may be least affordable but the richness of information may have the greatest impact. Bharat

[quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] Question 1 (7 Dec.) What types of ICT can play a role in the agricultural value chain? How do different types of ICT play different roles? [/quote] Sorry collegues im answering all questions from Monday because my network was down. I agree with Sameera that there are categories,ie, traditinal and modern. But i will dwell more on modern. The Internet allows users to share ideas and experiences instantly. For example in this case we are sharing on this forum, and most of us we have never physically met before. The phones also, especially cellphones allows instant communication amoung users. People can share agriculture information for developing their communities. Convegence of these ICTs, e.g. cellphone connected to the Internet can be a great advantage where by users can make calls, send text messages, emails and the internet using the same gadget. However accesibility of these ICTs is a huge issue, especially in developing communities, but having them is a great achievement for agriculture information will be readly available to community members for their development

[quote="bpopat"] Dear All, I tend to think in terms of what Services are required to have an economic or social impact and then the technology that is accessible, affordable and the degree to which it will have the desired impact. Bharat [/quote] I strongly agree with Bharat. I don't think in terms of what technology we could deliver. I think of what problem needs to be solved, what service provided, what market constraint overcome. Then I search for the best technology to solve that problem under the given circumstances. We should not let ourselves be led too much by technology, even if a lot of it is fascinating. We should think in terms of solutions or services and technology as an enabler or information distribution mechanism. Martin

Hi all? May be I missed part of this forum. I agree with you with all tools that you've suggested can play a role in agricultural value chain. But, when you say "TELEVISION, VIDEOS" I am not totally agreeing with you. Because some part of population will not have opportunity to watch or access to those information provided by Channels (because of ELECTRICITY PROBLEMS IN RURAL AREAS ) in many countries of Africa. So, I can say that ICT MOBILE PHONE AND COMMUNITY RADIO are very appreciated tools to help people to save their daily foods-live (Based on how those tools are becoming reachable by the poors and the rich). Jean-Claude KAMWENUBUSA Burundi [quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] Question 1 (7 Dec.) What types of ICT can play a role in the agricultural value chain? How do different types of ICT play different roles? [/quote]

Greetings, Yes. Various ways are being observed and used to improve agriculture value chain. A live example in Burundi. Since 2006 Volunteers in rural community members of the Association pour la Solidarité et l'Assistance Socio-Sanitaire, (ASASS-Burundi) have worked with volunteer members in urban communities collaborating via MOBILEPHONE AND COMPUTER. The people in urban community used their computer (and others reached the cyber Internet Café in town), to connect to Internet to acquire expertises on agriculture, health and community development programs from the international (farmers …) experts in NABUUR foundation www.nabuur.org . At their turn, they used their mobile phone (SMS mobile phone exchange) to share experience and information to the small women and youth groups in rural communities on farming methods, environment, programs planning, management and they've improved their live and crops productivity. With working scheme, they have initiated a community centre (BUTERERE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE-BCDC) with International facilitators via the same methods. Now they are working on TELEMEDECINE and SMS micro credit for small farmers in rural clubs. Jean-Claude Burundi

This is a very valid point made by Jean-Claude. There are still great challenges to the use of new/modern ICT in rural areas around the world. We need to keep in mind the "traditional" forms ICT like print, radio, etc. And in the case of technologies such as radio that do require electricity, look to the new alternatives that run on solar, turbine or other forms of power. While I agree with the many here who say the focus should not be on the technology, it is important to be aware of technology, both in terms of what is available and to qualify it in different contexts. I hope everyone is enjoying the exchange in this forum! :) cheers, Michael

[quote="martin.dietschi"] [quote="bpopat"] Dear All, I tend to think in terms of what Services are required to have an economic or social impact and then the technology that is accessible, affordable and the degree to which it will have the desired impact. Bharat [/quote] I strongly agree with Bharat. I don't think in terms of what technology we could deliver. I think of what problem needs to be solved, what service provided, what market constraint overcome. Then I search for the best technology to solve that problem under the given circumstances. We should not let ourselves be led too much by technology, even if a lot of it is fascinating. We should think in terms of solutions or services and technology as an enabler or information distribution mechanism. Martin [/quote] Very true, martin. I also feel that a client is more interested in the solutions we offer to him rather than the technologies we use to deliver these solutions. i.e. he is more interested in the benefits a product derives rather than the product itself sapna

Hi Jean/Michael and others Since Jean mentioned that some farmers do not have access to Televisions and Michael seconded it giving reasons, I thought of sharing following with you. Here in Sri Lanka, Department of Agriculture handles it in very innovative way. Every Monday they have a TV show on agricultural technical matters at 6.30pm on National TV channel. Everyday they discuss about a timely technical matter. Let's say they discussed about a particular way of improving the quality of the harvest on this Monday. Let's assume a farmer couldn't watch it due to; - not having a TV - car battery which is used to watch TV is dead - was in the farm at that time From Tuesday onwards, he can get the TEXT version (with images) of the same half an hour video from their Cyber extension centers (Agrarian Service Centers around the country) -Sameera.

[quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] Question 1 (7 Dec.) What types of ICT can play a role in the agricultural value chain? How do different types of ICT play different roles? [/quote] From Khalil Alsharjabi A Development Communication (DC) Approach to the Answer of the Question about the ICT type and role would rather take us back to the aims or objectives of ICT use. This is simply because of the nature of DC and its link to the development process. Here, communication tools are not somthing that is run or operate in a vacum but in a real social system which is intended to develop. Therefore, as have already been focussed by other contributors, classification and modelling of ICT is not the real matter as this would too much simplify the very complicatied process of communication under the real situation. We have realy to start with the question of for what purpose that ICT would be more useful and instrumental. Agriculture value chain certainly would benefit from ICT; but for [color=]what purpose: - mere awareness ( information) - knowledge (further and indepth details), - training (where some skills are required) - mobilization and sensitization - for reference and future use/consultation) - for socialization, negotiation and confilict resolution) - decision making - etc... Simialrly, before deciding the type of ICT to be used, we have to be sure about the type of reciver; Who is the user of ICT or receiver of the communication message and the type and length of the message and the behavior to be addressed (i.g. at what stage in the adoption process is the user).??!!! Other relevant questions are: - What is the extent of ICT availability?? what typr of ICT is available and accessible to users?? - What is the extent of ICT use by expected users? - To what extent is the certain ICT is affordable by the users?? - To what extent "attention", "retention" or "action" is required from the user?? Many otherr similar questions may also come into front in this context. It is well known that the value cahin include a large number of individuals, groups, organizations who could be calssified into different categories. Therefore, Proper "TARGETING" or the so-called "AUDIENCE SEGMENTATION" is unavoidable in any attempt to answer the question of the roel of, type and utilization process/strategy of ICT. [color=]In Yemen, for instance, the mobile phone has proven successful and effective in helping farmers find suitable market for their farm products. If they realize - through mobile conversasion) that prices are low in Sana'a (the Yemeni Capital), they rightaway make other phone call with their contacts in other cities, provinces, distrcts, collective markets, central markets, export centers and the like to find the most appropriate prices while they are still at their farms/houses. They are used to face a lot of marketing problems and suffer a lot of lossess before the introduction of mobile technology which is widely used by farmers and rural producers in Yemen. However, when it comes to other types and uses of ICT, the use of computer, marketing, markets and prices databases, expert system and other new technologies, this is almost nill and at best meagerly reported, if ever. although the rural telecommunication in terms of land telephone lines and even the internet service in some rural semi-urban centers have shown quick development and spread, they are still very far from intering the production and marketing circles as well as the utilization of farming and rural communities. This would apparently would require more time for waiting the expansion of roads and other needed infrastructures, for getting lower services' prices and the like. This is enough for now. I may go back to the same question at later stage before the closure of this froum Goodbye for now, with many thanks for your contribution and exchange of experiences Dr. Khalil M. Alsharjabi Dhamar City, Yemen

Thanks for this example Sameera. I note that you describe a case where multiple types of media, facilitated by ICT, are used to make the same content available. Interesting.

[quote="michaelriggs"] Thanks for this example Sameera. I note that you describe a case where multiple types of media, facilitated by ICT, are used to make the same content available. Interesting. [/quote] I agree. And it enforces that the focus was not on technology but on content. The content was at the centre and various technologies were used to distribute the content depending on the circumstances of the recipient. Thanks also from my side! Martin