Question 1: Why are national e-agriculture strategies (also referred to as “ICT for agriculture strategies” or “cyber-strategies for agriculture”) needed for the agricultural sector to fully realize the benefits of ICTs?
Because, one, ICTs are pervasive and have become/are becoming accessible at a very rapid rate, and two, farmers/agriculturists are probably the most information poor section of the society especially in relation to their needs driven by the inherently uncertain nature of agriculture especially that which is rain-fed (read prevalent in most developing countries and affecting most small farmers, also a large proportion of teh poor of the world).
To bring the information benefits to farms and farmers and to be able to do so with minimal losses of learning, it makes sense to design national e-agricultural strategies. Needless to say, these whould include where and how governments would step in and where and how they keep away, letting the most efficient actors operate.
I am of the view of that ICT policy strategies for the agricultural sector is as important for any ACP country as there are general ICT policies to bring about intended change or development. The reality is most broader ICT policies failed to provide a comprehensive view of issues particularly for countries where Agriculture is the main contributor to GDP.
My rationale for ICT strategies target for the agricultural sector are;
There is much greater potential for Agriculture to benefit from ICTs if properly done. More than enough evidence currently show the potential and impact ICTs have on the agricultural sector ad hoc nature of policy directives
To realise the huge impact of ICTs in Agriculture, there MUST be systematic effort in planning to ensure judicious use of scare resource.
A two pronged approach to needed to facilitate and harness the fully benefits of ICTs in Agriculture. The first approach fuelled mostly by farmers, young enterprising individuals and the private sector is already in full force. The second, which is government lead is currently ad hoc and needs streamlining.
I think in today's world, farmers should be considered as entrepreneurs. That their agricultural activity should be valorised and be considered as a business.
Like any business to be started and to flourish, the entrepreneur needs informatuion or knowledge based products (immediately applicable information). The entrepreneur needs updated information, in a timely manner and in ways accessible with ease.
From here, it would seem logical that, any government having at its heart food security of its nation, should implement e-agriculture strategies to support / accompany the farming community with any form of information / knowledge packages that would actually act as decision support systems.
The other philosophy is at macro economic level. In general, any country's economy starts with the agricultural sector. As other sectors grow, agriculture needs to be sustained to help the other sectors bloom. As thee economy strengthens, literacy level goes up. Traditional agriculture and traditional labour gradually phases out.
This is where e-agriculture can play a massive role. We need to recognise that e-agriculture hasd the capacity to inspire and support the new generation of farmers such that agriculture becomes a competitive sector alongside other pillars like tourism and manufacturing industry. At no point in time, must we let agriculture be drained and weakened vis a vis other sectors.
we mostly ignore and almost do not recognize the contributions and benefits of e agriculture because we normally look at it from the consumption or rather output point of view, i think if we look at e agriculture as an input / enabler for agriculture then we may see the whole lot of the benefits. the problem with society(most farmer especially those who practice subsistence or self suffiency farming) is that they tend to ignore on the efficience in operation that ICT intergrated farming systems can bring. Fact is that such systems are mostly found in the intensive system in the peri urban farming. we need governments to make it known that farmers can benefit from having there system inergrated in ICT example:
record handling
farm accounting systems
there enterprise/farm resource management system in this case the farm system
we have systems that are ment to serve the purpose and we can start by naming but a few so that we can understand the benefits hence national e- agriculture policies
Development in any sector requires proper planning based on existing situation,resoureces,constraints and prospects.Use of e-agriculture may be fruitful for a country if it is properly placed in the context of
existing capacity and expected development.It may not be possible to fix the e-agriculture strategies at higher level unless reqisite technological and finacial capacity are attained.There must be proper evaluation after introduction of any e-agricultural intervention in a particulr area to see how effective the intervention.
It would be wise to introduce e-agriculture intervention in pilot or small scale at the beginning and expanding to larger areas based on the evaluation.
Many factors should be considered in finalizing e-agriculture strategies.Technological,financial,cultural,geographical and environmental aspects are few of them.Any country can't afford to introduce the e-agricultural interventions just on whims.Creation of efficient manpower,infrastructure and relevant policy will take considerable investment,expertise and time.
In view of all these points,I strongly feel that e-agriculture strategies is needed for the agricultural sector to fully realize the benefits of ICTs.
Brad ClarkeRural Agricultural Development Authority - RADAJamaica
Dear participants,
I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this forum. As with the development of any activity, economic and/or social, their success and/or future viability is dependent on the strategies that are employed. Here in Jamaica we have developed national strategies to achieve economic first world status by 2030. As a result each sector has strategies that feed into the national strategic plan, Vision 2030. So there is an agricultural sector strategy. Inherent to this is the need for an e-agriculture strategy to enable the sector to maximize the benefits of ICTs.
This has become necessary as the business of agriculture has become borderless. Stakeholders in the industry must move to embrace this development in order to position themselves to become a part of this new normal. The agricultural sector cannot afford to operate in silos. National e-agriculture strategy formulation, implementation and operation will be a stakeholder consensus and ownership initiative. Its importance is critical to:
1. Economic and social development;
2. Viability of agricultural business;
3. Empowerment through knowledge transfer to farmers and other industry stakeholders and interests;
4. Embracing and employing technology to transform the sector.
Dear Brad
Welcome to the discussion. How did the country go about developing that vision and strategy (or those strategies)? Was there a broad and inclusive consultation in the country? How is the strategy deployed, is it phased in? What are the main benchmarks, how is it going to be evaluated? Any link you may share?
Brad ClarkeRural Agricultural Development Authority - RADAJamaica
Mawaki,
Jamaica's Vision 2013 was mandated by the government to the national planning agency, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). The process involved broad extensive consultation involving the citizenry, government, NGOs, Trade Unions, Private sector, just about every area of society. The aim was for this development plan to be owned by the people. Here is the link to the document, http://www.vision2030.gov.jm/Portals/0/NDP/A%20Vision%20for%20Jamaica.pdf, this will provide the answers to your questions.
Towela JereNEPAD Planning and Coordinating AgencySouth Africa
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this discussion. In answer to the question posed, e-agriculture strategies are indeed needed for the agricultural sector because while national ICT strategies may provide general direction a specific strategy for the agricultural sector allows for more specific articulation. It also allows the stakeholders in the agricultural sector to internalise and own the process. It is however important to ensure that the e-agriculture strategies are developed in a way that is coherent and consistent with national development plans and national ICT strategies.
As has been noted by some discussants, most countries have national ICT strategies which directly or indirectly make references to agriculture. The question I would like to pose is: were stakeholders from the agriculture sector consulted prior to these issues being put in the ICT strategy? Coming from Malawi I am glad that to see the contribution from Henry and happy to see that the Ministry of Agriculture is tracking developments on the national ICT strategy; however, it would appear that there is little involvement of the ministry in the actual development of the strategy.
A second issue that is worth highlighting has to do with implementation and follow-up. I think that we are very good at developing strategies but implementation becomes a bit of a challenge. So, when we develop e-agriculture strategies we need to carefully think through the implementation and this is why it is important to ensure that all key stakeholders are involved in the process.
There has been mention of regional strategies and I think that this is also a good idea. The issue at hand is whether the strategies should be developed top-down or bottom up i.e. should national strategies be informed by regional strategies or vice versa? My initial thoughts are that regional strategies should inform national strategies; however the prioritisation of issues at regional level should take into account national aspirations. Also, regional strategies should aim to address issues that are best dealt with at regional level and leave room for national strategies to deal with more localised issues at country-level.
Another aspect that should be considered when developing e-strategies is the measures and indicators of progress – how will we know how well or badly we are doing? How will we know what interventions need to be made as we are implementing our strategies to ensure that we achieve the desired targets?
Question 1: Why are national e-agriculture strategies (also referred to as “ICT for agriculture strategies” or “cyber-strategies for agriculture”) needed for the agricultural sector to fully realize the benefits of ICTs?
Because, one, ICTs are pervasive and have become/are becoming accessible at a very rapid rate, and two, farmers/agriculturists are probably the most information poor section of the society especially in relation to their needs driven by the inherently uncertain nature of agriculture especially that which is rain-fed (read prevalent in most developing countries and affecting most small farmers, also a large proportion of teh poor of the world).
To bring the information benefits to farms and farmers and to be able to do so with minimal losses of learning, it makes sense to design national e-agricultural strategies. Needless to say, these whould include where and how governments would step in and where and how they keep away, letting the most efficient actors operate.
I am of the view of that ICT policy strategies for the agricultural sector is as important for any ACP country as there are general ICT policies to bring about intended change or development. The reality is most broader ICT policies failed to provide a comprehensive view of issues particularly for countries where Agriculture is the main contributor to GDP.
My rationale for ICT strategies target for the agricultural sector are;
Hi Wsenyo,
What do you think could be the reasons for ad hoc approaches to e-agriculture strategies by some governments? How could these be addressed?
Sanjay Sembhoo from Mauritius.
I think in today's world, farmers should be considered as entrepreneurs. That their agricultural activity should be valorised and be considered as a business.
Like any business to be started and to flourish, the entrepreneur needs informatuion or knowledge based products (immediately applicable information). The entrepreneur needs updated information, in a timely manner and in ways accessible with ease.
From here, it would seem logical that, any government having at its heart food security of its nation, should implement e-agriculture strategies to support / accompany the farming community with any form of information / knowledge packages that would actually act as decision support systems.
The other philosophy is at macro economic level. In general, any country's economy starts with the agricultural sector. As other sectors grow, agriculture needs to be sustained to help the other sectors bloom. As thee economy strengthens, literacy level goes up. Traditional agriculture and traditional labour gradually phases out.
This is where e-agriculture can play a massive role. We need to recognise that e-agriculture hasd the capacity to inspire and support the new generation of farmers such that agriculture becomes a competitive sector alongside other pillars like tourism and manufacturing industry. At no point in time, must we let agriculture be drained and weakened vis a vis other sectors.
we mostly ignore and almost do not recognize the contributions and benefits of e agriculture because we normally look at it from the consumption or rather output point of view, i think if we look at e agriculture as an input / enabler for agriculture then we may see the whole lot of the benefits. the problem with society(most farmer especially those who practice subsistence or self suffiency farming) is that they tend to ignore on the efficience in operation that ICT intergrated farming systems can bring. Fact is that such systems are mostly found in the intensive system in the peri urban farming. we need governments to make it known that farmers can benefit from having there system inergrated in ICT example:
we have systems that are ment to serve the purpose and we can start by naming but a few so that we can understand the benefits hence national e- agriculture policies
Development in any sector requires proper planning based on existing situation,resoureces,constraints and prospects.Use of e-agriculture may be fruitful for a country if it is properly placed in the context of
existing capacity and expected development.It may not be possible to fix the e-agriculture strategies at higher level unless reqisite technological and finacial capacity are attained.There must be proper evaluation after introduction of any e-agricultural intervention in a particulr area to see how effective the intervention.
It would be wise to introduce e-agriculture intervention in pilot or small scale at the beginning and expanding to larger areas based on the evaluation.
Many factors should be considered in finalizing e-agriculture strategies.Technological,financial,cultural,geographical and environmental aspects are few of them.Any country can't afford to introduce the e-agricultural interventions just on whims.Creation of efficient manpower,infrastructure and relevant policy will take considerable investment,expertise and time.
In view of all these points,I strongly feel that e-agriculture strategies is needed for the agricultural sector to fully realize the benefits of ICTs.
Dear participants,
I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this forum. As with the development of any activity, economic and/or social, their success and/or future viability is dependent on the strategies that are employed. Here in Jamaica we have developed national strategies to achieve economic first world status by 2030. As a result each sector has strategies that feed into the national strategic plan, Vision 2030. So there is an agricultural sector strategy. Inherent to this is the need for an e-agriculture strategy to enable the sector to maximize the benefits of ICTs.
This has become necessary as the business of agriculture has become borderless. Stakeholders in the industry must move to embrace this development in order to position themselves to become a part of this new normal. The agricultural sector cannot afford to operate in silos. National e-agriculture strategy formulation, implementation and operation will be a stakeholder consensus and ownership initiative. Its importance is critical to:
1. Economic and social development;
2. Viability of agricultural business;
3. Empowerment through knowledge transfer to farmers and other industry stakeholders and interests;
4. Embracing and employing technology to transform the sector.
Looking forward other views and feedback.
Dear Brad
Welcome to the discussion. How did the country go about developing that vision and strategy (or those strategies)? Was there a broad and inclusive consultation in the country? How is the strategy deployed, is it phased in? What are the main benchmarks, how is it going to be evaluated? Any link you may share?
Mawaki,
Jamaica's Vision 2013 was mandated by the government to the national planning agency, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). The process involved broad extensive consultation involving the citizenry, government, NGOs, Trade Unions, Private sector, just about every area of society. The aim was for this development plan to be owned by the people. Here is the link to the document, http://www.vision2030.gov.jm/Portals/0/NDP/A%20Vision%20for%20Jamaica.pdf, this will provide the answers to your questions.
We also have a national ICT Policy, that is managed by a central information technology office. Use the following link for more information; http://www.jis.gov.jm/pdf/GOJ_ICTPOLICY_March2011.pdf.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this discussion. In answer to the question posed, e-agriculture strategies are indeed needed for the agricultural sector because while national ICT strategies may provide general direction a specific strategy for the agricultural sector allows for more specific articulation. It also allows the stakeholders in the agricultural sector to internalise and own the process. It is however important to ensure that the e-agriculture strategies are developed in a way that is coherent and consistent with national development plans and national ICT strategies.
As has been noted by some discussants, most countries have national ICT strategies which directly or indirectly make references to agriculture. The question I would like to pose is: were stakeholders from the agriculture sector consulted prior to these issues being put in the ICT strategy? Coming from Malawi I am glad that to see the contribution from Henry and happy to see that the Ministry of Agriculture is tracking developments on the national ICT strategy; however, it would appear that there is little involvement of the ministry in the actual development of the strategy.
A second issue that is worth highlighting has to do with implementation and follow-up. I think that we are very good at developing strategies but implementation becomes a bit of a challenge. So, when we develop e-agriculture strategies we need to carefully think through the implementation and this is why it is important to ensure that all key stakeholders are involved in the process.
There has been mention of regional strategies and I think that this is also a good idea. The issue at hand is whether the strategies should be developed top-down or bottom up i.e. should national strategies be informed by regional strategies or vice versa? My initial thoughts are that regional strategies should inform national strategies; however the prioritisation of issues at regional level should take into account national aspirations. Also, regional strategies should aim to address issues that are best dealt with at regional level and leave room for national strategies to deal with more localised issues at country-level.
Another aspect that should be considered when developing e-strategies is the measures and indicators of progress – how will we know how well or badly we are doing? How will we know what interventions need to be made as we are implementing our strategies to ensure that we achieve the desired targets?