Suchith Anand

Suchith Anand

Organization Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition
Organization role
Researcher
Country United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Area of Expertise
Geospatial Science
Open Science

This member participated in the following Forums

Forum e-Forum on ICTs and Open Data in Agriculture and Nutrition

What role can ICTs play in using Open Data in Agriculture and Nutrition for family farmers?

Submitted by Suchith Anand on Tue, 06/20/2017 - 18:06

Mobile networks, location-based technologies, sensor-web technologies and cloud computing offer the potential to develop powerful, flexible and low cost information and services networks, linking rural farmers with other communities, both rural and urban. These networks can be deployed to deliver a wide range of services to rural farming populations who  depend on agriculture as their livelihood  to receive back voice, text and image-based data for review and analysis. This will facilitate information rich interaction and iteration and the electronic delivery of high-quality professional diagnostic and information services.  There needs to be emphasise on local language interfaces, icon and voice-based input rather that keyboard input both because of mobile device restrictions and because of low levels of literacy in some rural communities.  Icon and voice-based user interfaces needs to be used where feasible to minimise the impact of the multiple languages and varying levels of literacy. 

My question is how can we use ICT and Open Data to lower barriers for varying levels of literacy so that everyone can benefit? All ideas welcome.

Submitted by Suchith Anand on Tue, 06/20/2017 - 17:52

Good to see the excellent inputs and discussions from all. Capacity Development and Training at all levels is key aspect that we need to consider. There  needs to be   emphasise on local language interfaces, icon and voice-based input rather that keyboard input both because of mobile device restrictions and because of low levels of literacy in some rural farming communities.  Icon and voice-based user interfaces needs to be used where feasible to minimise the impact of the multiple languages and varying levels of literacy . Technical service components and functionality  will need focusing on agriculture and rural enterprise – both key factors for alleviation of poverty and achieving the SDGs of the UN.

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