‘Smart phones’ facilitate virtual agricultural extension

Lack of access to adequate agricultural extension services is a major problem hindering achievement of sustainable agriculture and food security in Africa and other developing countries. Achievement of food security is the dream of most governments and agricultural development agencies in Africa and the rest of the developing world. Food security exists when all the people at all times have physical and economic access to adequate, nutritious and safe food for a healthy and active life. The United Nations identifies adequate access to food as a human right issue. Food security and sustainable agriculture are inseparable bedfellows, without which sustainable development is just but an illusion. Agriculture and food production constitutes the largest economic sector in the world providing livelihood for 40% of the global population. The millennium development goal number one aspires to eradicate extreme poverty and food insecurity. Agricultural knowledge and agricultural information are critical for achievement of food security in Africa and globally. The state organs which are mostly plagued by financial insecurity are the key providers of agricultural extension services in Africa.

Virtual outreach system for small scale farmers in the Caribbean Island could be a solution to the deficiencies of the agricultural extension services in Africa. [Software Developed by Anton Robinson]. A partnership between the University of the West Indies and a University of Greenwich graduate is using mobile phones to improve access of agricultural knowledge and information. Virtual agricultural extension  pilot project was tested in St Vincent and the Grenadines between October 2011 and January 2012, permitting adaptation to meet farmers' specific needs. To start with the virtual outreach system tested a question and answer service. This involved sending of questions and photos of pest and disease problems, taken on a mobile phone, through Short Message Service and uploading these on to the virtual outreach system. These were then directed to experts by the service manager. The farmers received a response within 24 hours.

The second trial was on a virtual training programme, consisting of e-courses on compost making and low-cost greenhouses by a team from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad & St. Augustin. The farmers were provided with a laptop and projector as well as training by the virtual outreach system, on use and maintenance of the equipments. Using Skype and YouTube, nine farmers were trained by Dr Wayne Ganpat, a lecturer in agriculture economics and extension. The virtual agricultural outreach system has received a positive response. The farmers have identified additional areas in which they require training and are demanding further virtual capacity building. This is an encouraging step and a security against the current climate change, as the idea can be replicated across developing world. Remember our security is in our hands.

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Digital villages Project and agriculture development in Kenya

The government of Kenya is implementing a highly ambitious proposed public private partnership digital village’s (ICT) project. The project will transform Kenya’s economy into a knowledge based economy. The digital village’s project also referred to as the Pilot Pasha Centres endeavors to connect the most remote villages to information super- highway, by taking ICT facilities to the people in the rural Kenya, for sustainable economic and social development. The digital villages are mainly designed for the youth, business people who desire to expand their business opportunities, women and the community at large. Over 200 digital villages will be established in Kenya. The pilot pasha centres will provide photocopying Printing, faxing, scanning, e-mail and Internet, electronic banking and money transfer services, in addition to e-governance which will ensure  public access to government services such as national identification and Youth Enterprise Fund loan application forms,  Police abstracts, P3 forms and driver's license applications forms.

The set up of digital villages’ project will be in two models specifically the enterprise and community set-up. Individual entrepreneurs such as micro-finance institutions, small and medium size enterprises will run the enterprise model. The community model will be run by the youth, women and faith-based organizations. A digital village school will be established to serve as an ICT educational centre. Digital village schools will be established in every location. Young people will acquire ICT training in their home towns and will no longer waste meager resources traveling to Nairobi and other major towns in search of this knowledge. A digital kiosk will be a commercial enterprise to be established at constituency level, while a digital centre will be a development ICT facility to be established in very district.

 
Digital villages spell a bright future for the rural areas of Kenya where 80% of the people live engaged in agriculture as their main economic activity. The ICT users will connect with business associates and stakeholders via email, teleconferencing and social media. The youth will be able to watch documentaries on You tube and play games with their counterparts from all over the world. Time and resources saved through e-governance will result to increased farm productivity, food security and rural poverty reduction when channeled to farming activities. Moreover information on new agriculture technologies which is rotting in the research centres and public universities shelves will be disseminated faster, cheaply and easily to the farmers. Farmers will be able to access information on produce market prices, market trends and farm inputs. Farmers will also have an opportunity to develop useful collaborations with local and international agriculture value chain players and the sky is the limit. 

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Climate change adaptation and ICT in Africa

Professor Wangari Mathai was an environmentalist who fought several battles with wisdom and diplomacy to save the environment. In the era of climate change and environmental pollution, this daughter of Africa who hailed from Nyeri in central Kenya devoted her entire life to saving the environment. This made her a winner of the prestigious Nobel Peace Price which was awarded to her in Oslo in Dec. 2004. She’s gone physically but she left a legacy which will live on and the battle continuous. The weather around the world is becoming more dynamic with every passing moment due to global warming. This has resulted in prevalent droughts, crop failure, food insecurity and pressure on the limited resources .

The environment is the most important resource today in the fight against climate change, global warming, food insecurity and poverty in Africa and the rest of world. Effective adaptation to climate change in the remote rural regions of Africa is critical and it will require timely and accurate climate information. As climate change intensifies by day, one of the best methods we have to address climate change adaptation is modern information technology. One such technology namely FRONTLINESMS is in use in African countries. This service disseminates timely climate information through text messages to the farmers. Such Early warning systems enables farmers to take relevant adaptation measures in good time. Stake holders in agriculture, climate change and food security need to employ various effective early warning tools for success and sustainability of their development efforts. This stakeholder includes farmers, herders, aid workers and policymakers.The early warning tools will increase their ability to convey the relevant information to their clients and partners.

These technologies will ensure development and delivery of powerful solutions for the problems that lead to famines. According to Hillary Clinton Kenya and Ethiopia have coped better in the current drought than in previous years because the government invested in the small-scale farmers and herders. It is a high time the governments and development agents should encourage and subsidize adoption of information technologies by poor rural farmers for climate change adaptation, food security and poverty reduction. In addition markets information systems must also function well enough to provide timely and reliable detailed information on market prices and market trends that reflect scarcity or abundance of the produce, to enable the farmers and other agricultural value chain players make decisions and adapt accordingly. This will help to ease the pressure exerted on limited resources by global warming and climate change.

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Text Message Services Improve Agriculture in Kenya

Lack of reliable market information is one of the major factors that prevent farmers from getting the full market value for their farm produce. Small-scale farmers in Kenya and most African countries traditionally lack timely information, on market trends and market prices to enable them negotiate the best transactions. Unfortunately, lack of access to market information creates an opportunity for farmer’s exploitation by the middlemen. Today farmers in kenya have a reason to smile as this situation is changing, with development of text messages service innovations for the farming industry. An example is Kenya’s SMS Sokoni project, which provides agricultural information through short text messaging for fee. The project is run by the Kenya Agricultural Commodities Exchange (KACE), a private firm, in partnership with African mobile service provider Safaricom Limited. KACE information centers are located near agricultural commodity markets to ensure low cost access to farmers. KACE workers collect information on prices from these centers and then send the information to the farmers, buyers and exporters through SMS.

SMS sokoni text messages project’s partnership with a mobile service provider has allowed wider coverage of the service. This has also helped to reduce the cost of text messages. Sokoni SMS text messaging service is popular among farmers, buyers and exporters. The entry costs and unit costs for the users are quite low as a result of subsidy from donors. SMS sokoni text messages service users get value for their fees and their earnings have doubled or even triple according to research, because of access to timely text message market information. However there is a major challenge ahead of sokoni SMS text messages service in that it may not be sustainable with the pull out of donor funds, as most of the farmers live below the poverty line, and they may not afford the full pay for the text messages information service. 

M-Farm  is also a farmers text messages service from MFarm Ltd. Kenyan farmers simply SMS the service number to get information concerning the retail price of their products, buy farm inputs directly from manufacturers at favorable prices, and find buyers for their produce.

Drumnet is yet another text messages service which has been in operation in central Kenya on pilot basis. DrumNet provides marketing, financial and information services to farmers through text messages. This service is still developing more products for enhancement of agriculture industry.

Other African countries have various agriculture information systems, like the word of mouth system employed in Cambodia for information flow between agriculture value chain players. However, a study conducted by Michael Roberts in 2006 realized that such information may be prejudiced, since the source of information is interested in the transaction. Therefore the users require confirmation of the credibility of the information through physical visits to markets or with neighbors. However, Cambodia-Canada Agricultural Market Information Project (CAMIP) initiative is presently operational in Cambodia. CAMIP project is a unique text messages service which also trains farmers to improve their capacity to use the information, through Farmer Marketing Schools (FMS).

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Success Story of Kenyan Youth in Agriculture and ICT

75% of Kenyan population directly depends on small scale farming for their livelihood in the rural areas. The farming individuals are commonly elderly people between the ages of 45-65 years.However Geoffrey Mwamba has defied the common thinking of most Kenyans about agriculture. At the age of 27 years he is a proud owner of small scale tomato Farming business which he has named ever blazing farm, on 0.1ha or 1/4 acre of land. The farm is in Kiganjo Division,  Kiamwangi location, Ngenda sublocation, Gatundu District, Kiambu County in central Kenya region.             

Geoffrey mwamba practices agriculture with a difference employing youthful energy, enthusiasm and Knowledge attained from an Agricultural Training institution and business studies, to develop his agriculture business. Mwamba markets his tomatoes in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya and its environs, and the demand for his produce is so overwhelming that he recently started recruiting collaborators to grow tomatoes and capsicums for him.Mwamba extensively uses his mobile phone to send information to his customers and receive orders for his farming produce which greatly contributes to the expansion of his farming business. He also orders unique seeds which are not available in the local stores through the internet giving him comparative advantage in the bussiness.Geoffrey mwamba has no regrets and earns a decent living with  current gross earning amounting over KSH 120,000 per month from his tomato farming business. Mwamba attributes his success to determination, commitment, hard work, availability of a shallow well which belongs to his grandfather, encouragement and support from his parents and siblings.

 

On interviewing this youth in agriculture, he revealed big plans ahead to own additional land in order to expand his farming business, a mansion in a premium area of Nairobi City, the best car and the best family. His life goals are well written down in black and white and nothing will stop him from achieving them. He’s a role model and a mentor to youth in agriculture. Therefore there is no doubt youth can find rewarding employment in agriculture activities as evidenced by Geoffrey mwamba’s case.Read-http://yagrein.blogspot.com/p/our-activities.html

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How ICT Is Improving Youth Opportunities in Rural Kenya

Today, ICT is one of the major building blocks of society. Most of the technological development happening today can be attributed to ICT. Unfortunately, the penetration of ICT in rural Kenya still hasn’t reached its optimum.  The good news, however, is that ICT skills are now part of the Kenyan secondary school curriculum. This means that a significant number of high school graduates in rural Kenya have basic IT skills.

The Kenya Institute of Education (KIE), first introduced computers in rural schools as part of the digital learning program.  The program which was meant to solve the problem of high teacher student ratios was well received in rural areas. This was probably because the rural schools were more affected by teachers shortages when compared to urban schools.

Despite the introduction of computers in Kenyan high schools, the dream of owning a personal computer is still out of reach for many rural youth. In order to gain access to the internet, rural youth in Kenya have to either visit a cyber café/internet café or use a mobile phone. Using a mobile phone to access the internet is not only cheaper but also more reliable since all you need to access the internet is a network enabled phone and a signal.

One of the most notable benefits of ICT in rural Kenya, especially where the youth are concerned, is the access to information. Whether it is accessing information on colleges or universities or looking for a job, rural Kenyan youth today, literally have this information at their fingertips. This has not only made their quest for higher education and employment cheaper but also less time consuming.

Secondly, ICT and in particular the internet has made it possible for rural Kenyan youth to interact and network with their peers. This opens up a lot of opportunities for them since they are able to access real time information.

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Internet and Social Media for Agriculture kenya

Information and communication technology in agriculture is an emerging field in Kenya. This involves application of innovative ways to use Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for agriculture information sourcing and social media networking with collaborators and stakeholders in the agriculture value chain. ICT in Agriculture will facilitate dissemination of accurate, timely and relevant agriculture market and extension information as well as major government services to the community. This will create a good environment for competitive profitable agriculture, leading to self employment, food security, income generation and poverty reduction.

For the Internet to be an effective tool for rural farmers’ access to agriculture services three complementary things need to be in place namely, implementation of Government policies supportive to development of physical Internet access in the rural areas. Secondly the farmers  need support in learning how to use the Internet and interpret the information for application in agriculture. Farmers groups are an important resource to facilitate the adoption of e-agriculture internet innovation. Today the use of the Internet to source for agriculture information is a preserve of innovators in Africa. In view of this it will be more practical to measure the number of farmers with access to the Internet through community groups other than individual farmers’ approach. In rural Africa, community tele-centres are the realistic means of Internet access.

Majority of the Farmers in rural Kenya respond to information that has been tried and proven by the experience of innovators, in order to confidently make a decision to apply the same in their personalized situation. ICT will facilitate the farmers’ interaction with the innovators which will increase the speed of adoption of agriculture technologies. It is far much easier for the institutional developers of farmer’s information to broadcast a product to a mass audience, often derived from existing print material, than to contextualize it and enter into interpretive online conversations about it. Internet farmer’s education and online extension services will  speed up on-farm technology application due to interpretation of the information as happens during field days. Groups of farmers will find the advice on technology; help to interpret the advice as well as reference to other relevant service providers. A small number of specialized online extension workers could have a large impact on many groups. Facilitating online groups is a time-intensive, highly focused and skilled activity. online extension workers need different skills from face-to-face extension workers.

Online agriculture groups will be an important development which will help to make local sense of Internet services as they complement face-to-face groups. Both online extension services and online groups are important means of supporting the uptake of innovative farm practices. However, the potential for the use of the Internet to support farmers’ learning has only been partially realized in Africa. Mostly  farmers’ will require information designed for self-served clients working on their own. This calls for Information and Communication Technology skill development amongst farmers . Introduction of online facilitation skills into agriculture is necessary like in online education or commercial online communities.

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ICT in Agriculture

Growing population

One of the main challenges that the agricultural sector often faces is the need to increase productions so as to provide adequate food to an overgrowing population considering the high rate at which natural resources are decreasing. The agricultural sector is now faced with more water shortages, loss of soil fertility, climate change and loss of fertile agricultural lands to urbanization. Nonetheless, the demand for high quality products continues to increase and has created a means for individuals living in rural areas to enhance their livelihoods.  However in order to take advantage of the new opportunities, farmers must comply with solid quality standards and regulations when producing and handling all kind of agricultural produce. For this reason, there is need for additional technological advances that will promote compliance.

The Role of ICT in Rural Agricultural industry

The role of ICT in rural agriculture and food security has continued to receive increase recognition following its endorsement at the World Summit on the Information society (WSIS) 2003-2005. The extent of ICT use in agriculture ranges from the use of computer applications, the internet, geographical information systems, cell phones as well as mainstream media such as radio, TV and newspapers. Although the concept of ICT in agriculture is relatively new in rural Africa, there is growing evidence of its contribution to agricultural development and poverty alleviation.

Enhancing agricultural Production through ICT

One of the main contributions that ICT has made to rural agriculture is the increase in efficiency and sustainability of small scale farms. Small scale farming often faces lots of challenges including poor soils, drought, soil erosion and pests. By receiving information regarding pest and disease control especially through early warning systems, new and improved crop varieties and new regulations regarding pest control, small scale farmers can considerably increase their production. 

Improving agricultural Market Access through ICT

Access to up-to-date market information regarding commodity prices, prices of farm inputs and consumer trends can have a considerable impact on the livelihoods of small scale farmers by increasing their bargaining power. Such information makes it possible for farmers to make informed decisions regarding future crops and commodities. Farmers are able to make decisions on the best time and place to sell and buy goods.  In many countries, the demand for such information has led to the creation of simple websites that attempt to match supply and demand of agricultural produce thereby creating more complex agricultural trade systems.

Price information is usually collected from the marketplace and stored in a central database where farmers can access it either online or through information centers. So as to reach a wider audience, the information may be broadcast via rural radio, TV and cell phones. However, a lot of work goes into maintain such systems and such work must continue if these systems are to be sustainable.

Capacity Building and Empowerment through ICT

ICT can be used to empower communities and farmers organizations so that they are able to hold their ground when negotiating for better input and output prices, land claims, resource rights and infrastructure development. In addition, ICT creates opportunities for rural farmers to interact with other stakeholder within the agricultural industry thereby reducing social isolation.

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