One of the greatest challenges is age.Peoples belonging to younger age groups regardless of gender and educational differences are more likely to grasp the techniques to operate the ICT devices.Thus parents or older peoples usually depend on their children or younger relatives for operating mobile phones,computers,radio,television and land-phones.Youngers are more adept to understand the emerging technologies. I suggest the authority to consider this aspect as a solution for proper utilization of ICT in development.

In addition to the mentioned tools in the foregoing posts,incentives for compliance may also be introduced.When governments and agencies will properly implement projects/programs they may be recognized through some celebrations and offered certificates.This system may encourage the defaulters to rectify themselves and join the competition for better compliance.

I am very happy to be able to learn vital issues on the question of gender and livelihood in relation to ICT4D projects/programs.I like to share my views. The efforts to integrate gender issue with all programs has started long ago by UN System,World Bank,donors and civil societies.Thus most governments have included and implemented many gender sensitive programs.These efforts have resulted positive impact on the whole society.Thus most societies and countries are now willing to accept the involvement,contribution and even the leadership of women.The environment is now far far better than the past.We have to realize the changed attitude and situation.As a trainer and technology coordinator,I personally feel that women are more active now-a-days and their male counterparts also welcome them in the decision making and implementation stages. We may evaluate the changing scenario and may take advantage of the soft ground for our benefit in all fields of development.

One of the first steps should be an administrative order that gives mode of implementation of project/program.The order should clearly mention that women must be be involved in the program in very transparent and tangible manner.When the project director or coordinator is instructed clearly the involvement of women in the programs will be ensured without fail. Another initial step may be monitoring at very early stage to see if the gender requirement is fulfilled properly.If the involvement of gender is not done properly,the project director or coordinator must be advised to comply with the requirements of the project that demand the involvement of women.

[quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] Question 7 (17 Dec.) How do you foresee ICT impacting the agricultural value chain in the future? What roles do the public and private sectors have in its success? [/quote] Dear Lisa, Thanks for posting the nice question.Future offers some optimism for certain issues while it also predicts pessimism for certain other issues.Though you have not delimited the time frame of the future, I feel the ICT will impact the agricutural value chain positively in the future. The extent of impact must be different for continents,regions or countries based on the current attainment and existing environment. ICT is a dynamic sector.There is a race among the IT industries for innovation.They may target R&D for the development of agricultural value chains and thus this sector will be benefited.Besides governments will strengthen public private partnership for improving the market dynamics and thus agricultural value chains may be developed where the share of ICT will be substantial. However,ICT is an aid for the market activities.Many other factors and components will influence the value chain in the future as it is affected now-a-days. Best regards, Zainul

[quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] Dear Sapna, Thank you for the complete list of challenges. Would some body like to add to that list? or to elaborate about the drivers for success,perhaps by sharing the examples of an especific project? Cheers, Lisa [/quote] Dear Lisa, Thanks for inviting to add more challenges. I think language of communication and particular device of ICT demand special attention.I like to elaborate a little to explain two drivers. You might recall that the discussion on mobile telephony emphasized on vernacular or local language.It is also applicable for value chain activities.I felt that talking through mobile phone in the preferred languages by the various actors of value chain is the best ICT device/means for operation of value chain activities.Because it helps instant contact and communication.I have seen sellers in fish,flower and vegetable sectors frequently use mobile phones for sharing information. I think SMS is not that popular or usable because of language,typing or operational procedure. Thanks to all participants for presenting a lively discussion. Cheers! Zainul I

This is Zainul from Bangladesh.Involved in training and technology transfer. Hope to learn from the discussion.

[quote="charmasiello"] We understand there were some problems with the Forum Email notificiation system. We have currently disabled it due to technical issues. we are sorry for any inconvenience. [/quote] Dear Charlotte, Thank you for your kind message.Could you also reconsider the format of e-agriculture discussion.I feel trouble to find out the questions and answers readily.Could you please use the format of facebook where postings for discussions posted by several persons may be seen from a single page. You can make the discussion more attractive by adopting improved IT solutions. Take care, 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="Lisa-Cespedes"] Thank you for the summary notes on 'The Way Forward' part Dr. Syed, and for your input on Asian countries. All the best, Lisa [/quote] Thanks Lisa for your kind compliments.I hope other learned participants will study the full report and explore the valuable inputs for the important topic you have chosen for discussion. Best regards, Zainul