Question 2 (opens 14 Nov.)
Question 2: What are the priority areas that producer organizations should invest in with regard to ICT?
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I agree with you Father G. Sustaining a functional ICT system is truly expensive. But there be some strategies that we can do to make costs affordable. Yes, there are expenses, but the return can be more than generous. It may be that the ROI with an ICT system is much much hogher that the ROI of without ICT. Example is on the marketing side. Take into consideration how erratic the trade pricing of vegetables, in the morning the price is very high so farmers tend to rush harvesting time but in the afternoon when they trade their products, the price drops to very low causing a big loss in profit. With SMS messaging, changes in trade prices can be monitored every hour or even every half an hour.
But then, I agree with you that the whole structures supporting the agriculture sector should be treated as a whole - from transportation, roads and others.
Going back to reducing ICT cost, we can actually reduce costs if farmers worked through their organization, their cooperatives may operate a functional ICT system and combine information dissemination to individual farmers through print materials as applicable and public announcement through the radio.
Hi Susan and Fr G;
As regards to reducing ICT cost, setting up a small group discussions among farmer groups during their break from farm works, in a location wherein they are comfortably gathered, and where there is at least one unit of computer, a projector and a large screen to provide them updates on the new technologies used in the agricultural industry, might entice and awaken their interests to embrace new practices that would eventually help them in their everyday farming.
Small group discussions led by someone knowledgeable in ICT (maybe a member of producer organization or a volunteer) can be done on a regular monthly basis, or depending on the frequency of updated information to be shared with the farmer groups.
The cost of acquiring a computer and other equipments used in the small group presentation can be sourced out from NGOs or LGUs which can provide funding through their Local Development Funds.
Print outs or other printed materials might be easily ignored as they cannot readily provide answers to questions the farmers may have as information is presented to them in paper, unlike when there is a person who can respond immediately to their queries.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" ><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;">Hi Susan and Fr G; <br>As regards to reducing ICT cost, setting up a small group discussions among farmer groups during their break from farm works, in a location wherein they are comfortably gathered, and where there is at least one unit of computer, a projector and a large screen to provide them updates on the new technologies used in the agricultural industry, might entice and awaken their interests to embrace new practices that would eventually help them in their everyday farming.<br><br>Small group discussions led by someone knowledgeable in ICT (maybe a member of producer organization or a volunteer) can be done on a regular monthly basis, or depending on the frequency of updated information to be shared with the farmer groups.<br><br>The cost of acquiring a computer and other equipments used in the small group presentation can be
sourced out from NGOs or LGUs which can provide funding through their Local Development Funds. <br><br>Print outs or other printed materials might be easily ignored as they cannot readily provide answers to questions the farmers may have as information is presented to them in paper, unlike when there is a person who can respond immediately to their queries. <br><br>--- On <b>Sat, 11/17/12, [email protected] <i><[email protected]></i></b> wrote:<br><blockquote style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(16, 16, 255); margin-left: 5px; padding-left: 5px;"><br>From: [email protected] <[email protected]><br>Subject: Re: [e-Agriculture] Question 2 (opens 14 Nov.)<br>To: "sansu" <[email protected]><br>Date: Saturday, November 17, 2012, 4:30 PM<br><br><div id="yiv350638509">
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TV and radio are unquestionably still in use and could still be maximized so long as it is working and with a good signal in the field. Other radio programs are interesting and though I am not directly involved I am encouraged to try techniques and methods in farming, fishing, etc. The other investments on ICT would what make the sector more efficient, reliable and timely. Considerations will just be made as it is part of a long term plan.
Kelly
Putting up ICT infrastructure can be in no doubt an expensive venture. Many farmers, particularly those in rural areas and whose groups are not well organized, could find themselves economically disadvantaged on any serious ICT undertaking. This does not mean however that solutions cannot be found both in long and short terms.
Dr. Flor’s question (cf. his post on 15/11/12 – 16:53)---“Will ICT technology and services ever be a viable investment destination for the agriculture sector?”---needs to be seriously considered and should be asked by every producer organization, not only once, but as often as possible. What every farmer and all producer organizations need to understand is that ICT is here to stay; its growing sophistication and domestic and universal applicability opens countless windows of opportunity to producer organizations. It will be part of the social, political, cultural and economic landscapes for years to come. And because “the agriculture sector is as informatized as other sectors” (Dr. Flor), it would be perilous for any producer organization to underestimate the relevance of ICT investment now and in the future.
Hi Fr. G! Just wanted to share that Bryan for Question 1 and Harris and Chib in their Practices on ICTD Research and Practice article in Linking Research to Practice: Strengthening ICT for Development Research Capacity in Asia mentioned that traditional media such as radio, television, and landline telephony is still part of ICTD. The other forms of media are regarded as new media technologies. Actually, because of this information and what you have mentioned, I also feel that it is more effective to use and prioritize aside from those I mentioned previously a couple of days ago the radio. I understand from field researchers that one of the most effective means of communication in the villages in the Philippines is the radio. Further, I share the same idea with the other members of the forum that it is relatively more efficient (less costly) as compared to the other and new media technologies. I think it is essential that if we are going to use the radio, the radio programs should not only mention their comments on farming technologies but should provide simple delivery and easy to follow or step-by-step instructions on farming technologies to farmers or producer organizations. Nice to hear from you!
Hi Sir Sandy,
I don't think most agricultural POs in the Philippines invest in ICT, unless they are involved in some money lending schemes (like our coops). One real life case I can think of is the father of my officemate who owns a trucking business yet he's contented with using columnar pad for accounting. Somethimes a phone, paper and a pen will do.
Regards,
Harv
Dear All
We already discussed the importance of ICT for the farmers and their organizations. We discussed a lot about ICT role to facilitate farmers access to market, to negotiate with traders, to access knowledge and information etc..
We all know that producer organizations are very diverse. They exist at local level. Sometime they are federated a regional and national level and there are 2 international organizations representing farmers.
We all know as well that the relations between local organizations and their Apec organizations are complicated to say the least; accountability and transparency is difficult and costly to implement. If farmers want to have access to market and have their voice heard they need however to be organized from local to regional and/or national.
We also know that a lot of members of producer organizations are illiterate with difficult access to electricity but they almost all have a cell phone.
In this context we may discuss priority ICT investments for local producer organizations versus priority ICT investment for Apec producer organization.
Thanks Pierre for bringing this up. There is also another way of looking at the questions 'what the producer organizations should priortize', and in my view, that relates to advocacy for connectivity, capacity-building, etc vs investmnets by the producer organizations.
Contexts differ, and in contexts with limited connectivity, high costs, the producer organization might best sue its time for advocating for these issues. Whereas in 'improved' contexts, the priorties would center on capacity within the organization itself, servcies for members etc. Does this make sense - if so, do we have examples where producer organizations have been active on ICT related advocacy?
THe circumstances surrounding producers' organizations such as limited or scarce resources, low technical know how, poor access to relevant information creates a vicious cycle which underscores the great need for them to invest on ICT infrastructure and capacitating themselves to foster development. They should invest on training that will initiate them into the information age where they could explore and harness the possibilities of incorporating ICT and new media not only in their economic activities but in all aspects of their daily lives. However, we must recognize the fact that on their own it is next to impossible for them to do so because their priority is to put food on the table of their respective families. THis is where the government as well as non-goernemnt support should come in. Maybe support for capacitating leaders of producers' groups could be a good start coupled with PRovisions for ICT infrastructure.u
As articulated by Dr. Charulata Sing in an article published in the Global Media Journal-Indian Edition, "One source that liberates people from poverty And empowers them is knowledge. It is also now well understood that improvement of quality of life can be brought with application of ICTs." Even the UN in crafting the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) took various steps to ensure that the benefits of new technologies, especially ICT's are within the reach of every one.