¡Hola a todos! Mi nombre es Michael Riggs, el Facilitador a cargo de la Comunidad de Práctica e-Agriculture.org. Les doy la bienvenida a este foro en línea en español, -el noveno foro de e-Agriculture! :) Estamos muy contentos de que el Equipo de IICA han traído este importante tema para la comunidad de e-Agricutlure, y estoy bastante emocionado de darle seguimiento a estas discusiones durante las próximas dos semanas. Nos sentimos muy afortunados de contar con un distinguido grupo de Expertos en el tema, provenientes de varias partes del mundo al igual que la mayoría de nuestros participantes, lo que representa un conjunto diverso de perspectivas y experiencias para animar e iluminar nuestra discusión en este foro. Pienso que colaborando mutuamente en estas discusiones podremos realzar el impacto positivo de las TIC en la agricultura y en el desarrollo rural. Aquí encontraremos a personas con mucha experiencia y espero escucharlos a todos y aprender cómo podemos emplear nuestras experiencias para solucionar problemas juntos. Si usted tiene alguna sugerencia, comentario ó pregunta, pueden dirigirse a mi ó a uno de los otros Facilitadores del foro. He estado trabajando en el ámbito de ICT4D durante más de diez años, a partir de una comisión regional en Asia y el Pacífico llamado "APHCA", luego como Oficial Regional de Información de Gestión para la FAO, y ahora en la sede de la FAO en Roma, Italia. Para obtener información adicional sobre mi, puedes visitar http://unhub.com/mongkolroek ¡Bienvenidos al foro! Contamos con su participación, Saludos, Michael Riggs

Hello everyone. I am Michael, the lead facilitator of the e-Agriculture community of practice. Welcome to this, our 8th online forum! We are very pleased that GenARDIS and APC have brought this important subject to the e-Agricutlure community, and I am looking forward to learning as much as I can myself. We are very fortunate to have such a distinguished group of subject matter experts from around the world, representing a diverse set of perspectives and experiences, to enliven and enlighten our discussion in this forum. Please engage them fully. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please let me or one of the other facilitators know at any time. I have been working in the area of ICT4D for more than ten years now, starting with a regional commission in Asia-Pacific called "APHCA", then as the regional Information Management Officer for FAO, and now based in FAO headquarters. To learn more about me online, take a look at http://unhub.com/mongkolroek

[quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] what value or role do good practices and case studies on this topic have in our work? [/quote] Does anyone have a thought to share on this question? Even to suggest that is it not important enough to discuss? :) Many of us in regional and international organizations have felt for several years now that part of the problem in the ICT for development field is a lack of comprehensive, rigorous review of ICT projects and programmes that are presented in a way that they become learning tools for other practitioners. The output being good practices, models, case studies, etc. Is there really value in this process, particularly considering the impact of ICT on agricultural value chains and farmers? Or maybe we could do something better?

[quote="RAY"] A related more specific question to the forum: What ICT-based approach do we need to adopt to address unfavourable cross-border activities by customs and security agents on farm produce marketing that falls within the provisions of regional agreements? [/quote] This question reminds me of earlier comments that transparency in markets is essential for equitable development. Thus it would seem there is a role for ICT in improving agricultural value chains beyond just the crop (or livestock or fish) production/harvest/process chain of events. Are there more thoughts on this?

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="Sea"] Please, take a look at this, "A Review of Nigerian Agricultural Policies". [/quote] Dear Sonigitu Ekpe-Aji, thank you for all your comments and the references you have been sharing. To let everyone know, after the forum we will be compiling all appropriate references that are shared in the forum into a new section about ICT in agricultural value chains under [url=http://www.e-agriculture.org/559.html?&no_cache=1]Key Topics[/url] cheers

Here is more information on CountrySTAT for those interested: http://www.fao.org/economic/ess/countrystat/en/

[quote="hbenavides"] b) Costs: Variable very important. The costs are often the most limiting for the incorporation of ICT in the chains. The NGOs have relied on this subject, however, the public sector can and should provide greater support to agricultural chains in this area. [/quote] Thanks for this detailed answer Henry. I would like to follow up on a particular point, copied above. On the cost variable, would you tell us more about how "NGOs have relied on this subject" and how the "public sector can and should provide greater support"?

Hello everyone, We facilitators (Charlotte, Lisa and I) welcome you all to the second week of this forum on the role of ICT in agricultural value chains. For those who have just joined us, please browse the questions and comments from last week (questions 1-4) as these threads are still active. We have seven experienced subject matter experts involved who are here to share their experience and answer questions as well. And if you have any questions about technical issues in the forum please don't hesitate to email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to help you. cheers, Michael

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