We need to have 'ICT Call Centres' established at villages (as they will be accessible and accountable). The entire documentation and dissemination may be processed by these call centres. Whosoever seeks information on any aspects relating to agriculture, markets and impacts of ICT etc may be reverted to specific domain incharge. These call centres may be established based on successful PPP models. Janaki

Use participatory approaches. Ask the endusers to analyse the merits and demerits of ICT. Take the feed back. Study and identify the gaps. Ask for solutions from the people side. Do SWOT analysis. Focus on the parameters that enhance their knowledge, skills and access while improving their incomes. Take suggestions from the people.Conduct mid term assessments. Note short term and long term impacts. Make the entire process simple. Focus on tangible and intangible benefits. Try to take mid course corrections. In my opinion rural areas have to be empowered by ICT as information and access to information are key factors for development. Analysis may be done based on these four important criteria Affordability Access (connectivity here in this case) to information Quality of the Information Utility of the Information in improving incomes Janaki

I am Dr (Mrs) Janaki Krishna working as Associate Professor and Coordinator for PGDM- Biotechnology Programme at the Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad, India. Both 'The Value' and 'Value Addition' are amazing if we conduct 'Ex Post' Impact assessment for the ICT projects that are already implemented and/or being implemented, as these studies give us leads and directions for conceptualising new proejcts by way of bridging the gaps or by way of circumventing the old problems. The lessons learnt through these projects after analysing the impacts that were created whether socially or economically coupled with 'Ex ante' impact assessment studies for new ICT projects give objective directions and will definetly have a value on improving socioeconomic conditions in rural areas.

Hi Everybody I have only one answer to the question Value chains definitely help in removing poverty at farmer level if only true value is given in the chain for the farmers' voice, position, role, committment and contribution. In most of the developing countries the small and marginal farmers have no clue on choice of materials (crops) and markets thereby landing in debts. Janaki [quote="zainul"] [quote="michaelriggs"] From LEISA MAGAZINE, VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 "FARMERS AS ENTREPRENEURS" Many current global policies propose that farmers can get out of poverty by being (better) linked to markets. Many professionals think that improving conditions along the whole chain stimulates farmers to become more entrepreneurial and gain a better income. Does an emphasis on value indeed lead to farmers becoming entrepreneurial? And is it reduction in rural areas? In this article one author argues that innovative agri-business has the potential to get farmers out of the poverty chain. The other says that there are many constraints for small-scale farmers to become entrepreneurial, and only "pro-poor" value chains will benefit the neeediest farmers. http://ileia.leisa.info:80/index.php?url=article-details.tpl&p[_id]=232… [/quote] Dear Michael, I appreciate this topic.Specific studies on this aspect may be cited for the information of the participants.I feel farmers in developed country with more investment may be more entrepreneurial than the farmers of poor countries.This happens for the improved management support for the farmers and value chains in the developed countries.You may like to agree that the organized value chains are almost non-existent in the poor countries.So,the introduction of value chains in poor countries may be considered as a priority. Thanks in advance for considering the point. Best regards, Zainul [/quote]

Hi, This is Dr Janaki Krishna from India. In my opinion PPPs play a very important role in implementing ICT for agricultrual value chains as agricultural value chains are conceptual tools used to bring in more clarity in defining the positions, roles and responsibilities of different players. Even though many formal PPP arrangements are not there in agri value chains both public and private instituions play effective role in bringing the produce from 'Farm Gate' to 'Feed Plate'. Public institutions are the reservoirs of enormous information and private instituions who have strong hold in communications can become good partners in completing the 'Agri value food chain' and bringing in more benefits to the endusers. Fixing the positions of these players in agri value chain is more important while strategising the ICTs in agri food supply chains. I herewith attach an article which provides some clarity on the conceptual tool box of agri value chains. janaki [quote="zainul"] [quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] ICT enabled Food Supply Chains Article by Dr. ( Ms.) Sapna A. Narula Asstt. Professor College of Agribusiness Management G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar Uttarakhand,India Article Attached [/quote] I think a concise definition of value chains,their salient features and operational procedures may help the participants to contribute more specifically.May I request Lisa and Sapna to do the favor? Regards, Zainul [/quote]

Hi! everybody, - I agree that ICT alone cannot solve the problem of endusers and it is one of the helping tools in realisng the goals of Agricultural value chains. - To the question on what needs to be done firstly a bench mark survey needs to be conducted to appraise the existing situation in the villages. - Secondly, a local needs assessment survey has to be conducted by a multidsciplinary team to find out the needs and gaps. - Thirdly, a pre project formulation discussion has to be carried out amongst various stakeholders to formulate an action plan. - Finally, I believe that PPPs ( Public Instituions, Private Instituions, and Peoples/Civil Society Orgainsations ) play an important role in achieving the objective of integrating ICT with agri value chains for solving the problems of farmers. - Farmers need actual information on selection of crops, cropping practices, availbility of technologies and training and market values at national and international level before taking rationale choices. Janaki [quote="michaelriggs"] In response to an item posted in the Reference section: From LEISA MAGAZINE, VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 "FARMERS AS ENTREPRENEURS" DR. SYED MD. ZAINUL ABEDIN wrote: [quote] Dear Michael, I appreciate this topic.Specific studies on this aspect may be cited for the information of the participants.I feel farmers in developed country with more investment may be more entrepreneurial than the farmers of poor countries.This happens for the improved management support for the farmers and value chains in the developed countries.You may like to agree that the organized value chains are almost non-existent in the poor countries.So,the introduction of value chains in poor countries may be considered as a priority. Thanks in advance for considering the point. Best regards, Zainul [/quote] This raises an important issue. In any complex system, ICT are only one of a set of tools development practitioners have at hand. In many situations ICT alone is not sufficient to address a problem, so we ICT practitioners need to build personal networks with development practitioners from other subjects, and collaborate! :) [/quote]

Dear all, This is Dr P S Janaki Krishna, working as an Associate Professor and Coordinator for Post Graduate Diploma in Managment (Biotechnology)in the Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad, India. My special interests include managment of technology and innovation, agricultural biotechnology, public private partnerships and biosafety and risk assessment relating to biotechnology. Firstly, I would like to congratulate e.agriculture network to start the discussion on a very contemporary and important topic wherein there is a role for many stakeholders. Looking forward to an interesting discussion, Janaki :lol: [quote="michaelriggs"] Dear all, Thank you for your introductions. It is great to see so many people willing to identify themselves and their interest in the role ICT may play in the agricultural value chain. I know many of you already, and look forward to getting to know those I am "seeing" here for the first time. e-Agriculture is a dynamic community and we work hard to compliment these online events with face-to-face events (when we appear at meetings organized by others). A summary of week 1 is being prepared, but please continue to comment on Questions 1 through 4. Clearly there is some way to go in agreeing on and realizing the potential of ICT in value chains. At the end of week 2 a final summary will be prepared, covering all your new comments, as well as Questions 5 through 7. If you are just joining us, please introduce yourself and jump into this interesting discussion. Best regards, Michael [/quote]

Hi! Everybody! Interesting postings, interesting discussion, exciting sharing! My vision is to have strong 'Public Private Partnerships' at national and international level to bringing in the benefits of mobile telephony for agricultural improvement.. The reason for this is- agriculture being a state subject/ subject of national importance lot of govt machinery is involved. In the mobile sector many private companies are playing major role either in providing services or products. A good 'PPP' Model consisting of "People - (Strong NGO representation) - Public (Govt institutions) - Private (Private Companies) can really benefit the e-agriculture through mobile phone services" For Product manufacturing and networking (Private companies may be involved) For documentation of data, providing data on agriculture - weather, markets, crops, package of practices etc.etc (Govt may be involved) For identifying the farmers organizing training programmes, follow up and obtaining feed back, providing farmers point of view for upgradation NGOs may be involved. Some of the inputs that are essential for strengthening farmers position in agriculture sector include timely information on weather forecasts and calamities, better and spontaneous agricultural practices, better marketing exposure and pricing, reduction of agricultural risks and enhanced incomes, better awareness and information, improved networking and communication, facility of online trading and e-commerce, better representation at various forums, authorities and platform, etc. Mobile telephony can be used for envisioning many of the above aspects. Janaki

Hi!, Everybody This is a very very important question which needs to be addressed while inroducing 'm-agriculture'. Though there were no impact assessemnt studies on improvement of livelihoods through the use of mobiles in rural areas, there are several instances where farmres are beneftted by knowing prices, buy getting customers, buy getting orders, buy avoding undue 1. visits to cities etc. through the use of mobiles. The following reports give some information on the usage and impact of mobiles in improving agricultrue in rural areas. "Rural India Calls" http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2007/09/21/stories/20070921500… 2. "Mobiles will revolutionise seven sectors in rural India - Nokia, CKS Contributed by Michael Schwartz , http://www.cks.in/html/cks_pdfs Regards, Janaki

Dear Pam and Worali Senyo! Thanks for sharing rich inputs. I agree that 'e-extension' not only through internets, KiOSKs, but by all means of communication including the cheap, personalised, voice mode mobiles with radio etc. can really bring next revolution in rural areas as it cuts the costs of travel, hiring middle men etc. etc. Howevr, I still feel security, tracking and regulations have to be in place before launching any major projet as the device can be misused for many unintended purposes also. Thanks, Janaki