Emerging Voices in ICT and agriculture - CTA Publishing

ICTs can provide the essential link in bridging
this information gap, but to date the agriculture
sector has failed to take advantage of these new
technologies. The potential is certainly there,
and other developing countries have already
paved the way, showing how ICTs can bring tangible
benefits to farmers. Widespread use of
mobile phones offers massive scope for spreading
agricultural information. Software has
already been developed to do just this. Take the
example of Uganda, where a suite of mobile
applications is being used to give farming advice.
Rural telecentres, equipped with computers and
Internet and using solar power for energy, can
be valuable channels for transmitting information,
as seen in a number of African countries.
Useful agricultural information on the Internet
can be accessed via mobile phones that support
Internet connections. Video conferencing with
farmers via satellite or over the Internet is
another innovative use of ICTs, which can be
especially helpful in remote areas.
Weather and pest alerts
With many Pacific islands threatened by climate
change, it is important that farmers are kept
informed of new techniques. In Burkina Faso,
farmers’ organizations have used digital photos
and video to teach new growing techniques, leading
to a nine-fold rise in output. ICTs can also be
used to increase the efficiency and sustainability
of small-scale farms, making information available
on crucial issues such as pest and disease control
and early warning systems. Up-to-date market
information can dramatically
improve
farmers’ negotiating
position, and simple
websites that match
supply and demand
can be a start to more
sophisticated trade
systems.
ICTs can help with
stock and quality
control, essential for
some domestic and
most export markets,
and important when
it comes to applying
for credit. Global positioning system (GPS) technology,
still relatively new to Fiji, can provide valuable
support to marketing and distribution. In
Ethiopia, it has been used to map rural roads,
helping NGOs, extension services and farm ers to
plan their trans porta tion needs. Tradi tional electronic
media, such as radio and tele vision, which
have more than 80% coverage in Fiji, should not
be forgotten. But more could be done to broadcast
qua lity pro grammes and provide a plat form
for feed back from farmers.
Based on the original essay:
“The use of information and communication
technology to address information poverty and
reluctance of farmers to commercialize in the
Fiji Islands.” by Riten Chand Gosai.
Key references
Heeks, R. & Duncombe, R. (2001) “Information
Tech nology and Small Enterprises - A Handbook
for Enter prise Support Agencies in Developing
Countries”, IDPM, University of Manchester, UK.
Ministry of Primary Industries of Fiji (2009) Agriculture
Strategic Development Plan 2010 – 2012,
Department of Agriculture, Suva, Fiji.
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