Question 1 (opens 12 Nov.)
Question 1: What roles does ICT play in producer organizations? Support examples with specific reference to an organization, the technology tool(s), and content delivered.
In particular consider:
- How can ICT facilitate accountability and transparency among members of an organization and between different organizations?
- How can ICT facilitate climate change adaptation among members of an organization and the rural communities where the organization is active?
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Simple, but true defination when put against rural poor or subsistent agriculture.
I agree with you, Bryan that community radio, fliers, bulletins, and simple brochures written in the local tongue about the latest farming technology can also be considered as ICT but maybe we should also consider the use of ICT as a medium for saving lives and properties of farmers and other stakeholders during El Nino forecasts or disaster alerts which was earlier mentioned by Dr. Flor. This is critical and ICT is very vital more so in a country, like Philippines.
Good point Bry, it can be done.
Hi, Adrian. Ten years ago, an FAO Expert's meeting held in Bangkok declared that information and communicati0on technology has elements of both: the old and the new; the conventional and the sophisticated; the analog and the digital. Hence, we still consider community radio as ICT. Nevertheless, you know as well as I do that 10 out of 10 farming households in the Philippines have mobile phones. We can assume that among farmer's associations, the majority of its members carry mobile phones in their back pockets or skirt pockets.
Dr. Sandy,
I have to agree on this. Two weeks ago, I personally visited our farm in Nueva Ecija to observe the harvest season. In the old days, you need to individually visit the members of the harvest team before you can actually start harvesting and other post-harvest priocesses.
Now, all you have to do is to send an SMS message to potential members of the harvest team! I noted that during breaks, the farmers no longer operate their transistor radios. They are no more fond of sending SMS to their loved ones (children based in Manila, wife working in the poblacion, drinking buddies, etc).
Time have really changed. The mobile phone has become the greatest equalizer!
<p>Dear all,</p>
<p>Producer organisations can use technology to enhance their business. However, technology alone cannot solve all the problems. There are usually other key ingredients on which technology is dependant on. For instance <strong>in Zambia we are piloting a market information system called LimaLinks between producer organisations and market agents</strong>.</p>
<p>We have realised that using the application alone is not enough but mending previous bottlenecks in their business transactions which all hinge on honest and trust. So we are building that confidence and trust by engaging these partners to look at the previous misunderstanding and find solutions before they can use technology to facilitate business transactions. Need more contributions</p>
<p>Richard yona- Sangonet </p>
Hi Richard. Thanks for sharing this. Could you tell us more about LimaLinks? What is the ICT in the market information system? Also how long has it been active and what are the organizations that are involved?
Hi!
You raised a very interesting concern on how farmers will have access and/or benefit from ICT.
I came across some information that hopefully can address your concern. It might be similar to the information shared by some forum members. Anyway, I got the information from one of the study tours of my former organization doing training and consulting. I would like to share some information on the e-Extension Program for Agriculture and Fisheries. It is a program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), DA Bureau of Agricultural Research, and the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Agricultural, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development. An aim of the program is to create an electronic or interactive bridge/means where farmers and related stakeholders can enhance productivity, profitability, and global competitiveness (ATI, 2011). The general idea is to make information on agricultural marketing, business advisory, farming and fishing technologies, and other beneficial information to farmers and fishermen available through their Farmer’s Contact Center which can be reached using telephone, text messages, and e-mail. The numbers and e-mail are written on a brochure. The brochures with related information I understand to reach the farmers and fishermen is through the Extension Workers and DA/ATI regional/provincial offices.
Hope the information could be of help!
Agricultural Training Institute. (2011). e any place any time for agriculture and fisheries. (Edition Number II). Brochure. Natividad, Benedict C.: Managing Editor.
<p>Dear all,
Producer organisations can use technology to enhance their business. However, technology a lone cannot solve all the problems. There are usually other key ingridients on which technology is dependant on. For instance in Zambia we are piloting a market information system called LimaLinks between producer organisations and market agents. We have realised that using the application alone is not enough but mending previous bottlenecks in their business transactions which all hinge on honest and trust. So we are building that confidence and trust by engaging these partners to look at the previous misunderstanding and find solutions before they can use technology to facilitate business transactions.<br>
Need more contributions<br>
Richard yona- Sangonet</p>
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I believe that it would be a very exciting and interesting forum. Though I am not directly involved in the agriculture sector, I will be benefited or affected by whatever outcomes this have for us; no matter what happens is unquestionably of importance as I am a consumer. I understand that farmers are key persons in the attainment of a conserved and well used farming resources that we have in the Philippines. There are already a lot of studies and practices done and implemented just to have sustainable development in the agriculture operations but problems are recurring. Yes, I agree that works could be improved with the use of ICT but moreso is the need for collaborative efforts from the government and non governmental offices and the intelligent citizenry, to make as great as possible, the state of growth in the agriculture sector.