the evolving role of information and communication technology in extension advisory services in...

email – [email protected] 4 June 2015 MEAS Symposium , Washigton DC

The Evolving Role of Information and Communication Technology in Extension Advisory Services in Bangladesh

Susmita Das, Senior Documentation Officer, BARC & PhD Fellow University of Dhaka

Susmita Das, Senior Documentation Officer, BARC& PhD Fellow University of Dhaka

Total population: 158.6 m

Three major river systems: Ganges, Brahmaputra & Meghna

Coastal vulnerable

zone

Mostly flood plain

Arsenic in groundwater

Hills about 10 %

Alluvial plain -80 %


Total farm holding: 1,47,16,000 Cultivable land: 8 m h 19 % of the country’s GDP from Agriculture average growth rate of agricultural GDP 2.7 % Export value 12% from Agriculture GDP Growth rate- 6.03% Annual food production: 35m MT Iirrigated land 61% Cropping Intensity 191% Rice, wheat, Maize, Potato, vegetables, fisheries, poultry are

Major farming Average farm size: 0.6 ha Flood, cyclones, drought as major threats in the country

Agriculture

Issues and Challenges Rapid increase of 1.5% population and 1% shrinkage of

agricultural land Climate change and natural hazards Inadequacy of technology dissemination Inadequate value addition / food processing Indiscriminant use of agro-chemicals, insecticides and

pesticide Absence of efficient & effective farmers' organizations Declining water table and soil degradation Over dependence on rice as food security (75% crop land)


Farm –Holdings in BangladeshDOMINANCE OF SMALL & MERGINAL


Marginal Hold-ings39%

Small Farm

Holdings50%

Medium Farm

Holdings10%

Large Farm Holdings1%


Issues addressed in ICT Policy 2009

Social equity

Productivity

Integrity

Education and research

Employment

Strengthening exports

Healthcare

Universal access

Environment, climate and disaster management

Support to ICTs


Market driven, risk reduction

production system

Farmers still in lack of

information access to

Information/ tech

Govt. & private ICT initiatives to enhance

productivity & Income

ICT Perspectives

Farmers’ Benefits of e-’Agriculture


Enhancing Production• Dissemination of newer

information knowledge• Pest and disease control

& fertilizer management• Early warning systems• Quality seed, soil health• Localized production

plan

Improving Markets Access• Production & price

information, inputs and consumer trends, commodity exchange,

• Forecasting market intelligence

• Post harvest & value chain management

Building Capacities

• Information & new technologies

• Awareness & trainings• Open up new business

opportunities• Support employment &

future competitiveness

Contribution of ICT in Agriculture


contributing to empowering capacity & right decisions on farming

contributing to agricultural production

Urea Super Granule (USG)

Photo courtesy :PKSP

IPM

Farmer getting technology by mobile

Woman farmers using ICT for solving agricultural problems


ICT based rural information centers Mobile based services Web-based services Radio programs Television programs Agriculture call centres

Existing Agricultural Information Delivery Services

Government

• Union Information and Service Centres (UISC)

• Agricultural Information &Communication Centre (AICC)

• Farmers Information and Advice Centres (FIAC)

• TV P prog. Mati O Manush (Soil & Man)& Banglar Krishi

• Community Agriculture Radio • www.ais.gov.bd • Agricultural Call Centre (16123)• 30 GIS Based Crop Zoning Map (BARC )• Web based Rice Knowledge Bank• BARI mobile apps • National E- Information hub• E-book (AIS)• SMS for Sugarcane Farmers – Purji (BSRI)• Online Fertilizer Guide (SRDI)

Private

• TV program• Radio Program (Green Hour )• Community Information Centers (CIC)• Mobile based problem& • www.ruralinfobd.com• InfoLady • Cell Bazaar (Market • knowledge bazaars in Bangladesh• Practical Action’s Bengali knowledge

website• Bathighor, Farmbook (BIID)• Community Radio• Fair Price International• Farmer query System –mobile based/web

based tool (mPower initiatives)• Miaki call centre• Plant doctor (Susilon NGO)

E-Agriculture Activities


Farmers database & Inputs Support Card to 18 Million farmers through Bank account

Farmer friendly agricultural credit policyAgricultural rehabilitation grants to victims of

natural calamitiesSupport for accelerated mechanization of

agricultureSurface water irrigation thru prepaid meter

system

Some recent interventions of Government


Union Information and Service Centres (UISC)

Agricultural Information & Communication Centre (AICC)

Farmer’s Information and Advice Centres (FIAC)

Agriculture Community Radio

Case Studies


Methodology


Population size (farmers respondents ): 1990ICT farmers: farmers from UISC,AICC, FIAC,CR

Non ICT farmers: Farmers not associated with ICT

service areas Agro ecological Zone : 30 District : 45Division : 7

e-government information service intervention since 2010

One stop service outlet at 4501

Union Parishad ,Consists with 15-20 villages, the lowest tire Local Govt. System About 9002 self-employed

entrepreneurs, women 50% Unique as public-private

partnership Citizen services: government

and commercial

Union Information and Service Centres (UISC)



UISC

Some ICT based Innovations In Bangladesh

Contribution of ICT in Agriculture


Indirectly contribute to empowering capacity & right decisions on farming

Directly contribute to agricultural production

Urea Super Granule (USG)

Photo courtesy : PKSP

IPM

Photo courtesy : PKSP

Union Information and Service Centre (UISC)

e-government information service intervention since 2010

One stop service outlet at 4501 Union Parishads

About 9002 self-employed entrepreneurs, 50 percent are women

Unique as public-private partnership

Offer three types of services: govt. information and commercial

Union Information and Service Centre (UISC)

Location Details of UISC Main ObservationsUnion Parishad-Consists with 15-20 villages, the lowest tire Local Govt. System

Year of Est. 2010 • provide agri information through krishibangla.com & different websites

• provide printed agricultural information with small fee

• Good for citizen services• UISC entrepreneur- lack

of agri-knowledge• no instant agricultural

services• No direct communication

with expert • Tend to be commercial

SponsorBD Govt.

Entrepreneur

2

Male 1Female 1Internet Speed

20 kbps

ICT tools- desktop, computer, scanner, digital camera, color printer , modem

UISC at a Glance


Innovator AIS, Ministry of AgricultureAims to increase farmers’ access to

demand-led timely information 245 AICCs in all over the countryUltimate target for 87,362 AICCs by 2021Agriculture problem based solution

by documentary films Computer training, compose, printing Internet service, enquiry answers Video conference through SkypeExpert opinion by phone callsModel flow pattern- local point

Village (LAICC) to union (UnAICC,) sub district (TAICC) district DAICC, in region RAICC and finally at national

level NAICC

Agricultural Information & Communication Centre (AICC)


Details of AICC Main observationsYear of Est. 2007 • Run by female members

• equipped with ICT tools and well trained• exploring different websites for information• Communicate with AIS personnel through mobile• Skype for consulting farming problems • Use e-shop for selling agri-products• Provide services like e-mailing, composing,

printing, • Acquire agricultural machineries for rent• Organize regular meeting, • maintain cash register & other official

procedures. • Participate different trainings on agriculture &

computer• Collect monthly subscription • Accumulate a good figure of fund• Generate co-operative idea • Lend money to members & other farmers with

minimum interest* $1=77 taka

Sponsor AIS, MoAMember 35Female 35Subs/month 20 taka(Local

currency)Total Fund 4,20,000 taka

(Local Currency)ICT facilities-Desktop , Laptop projector, TV, Mobile, Printer , Modem , Internet Speed-64 kbps

One Female Operated AICC (Comilla)

An enterprise of MoA by NATPFunded by World Bank in 2008732 FIACs at Union Parishad Complexes100 operated by computerEquipments like seed moisture meter, water testing kit, vaccination kit, foot pumps and learning tools like seed museum and pest museumOne- stop-service centre with DAE, DLS and DoF3 SAAO, 1 CEAL for livestock and 1 LEAF for FisheriesTechnical services on farming practices & agro-business on crops, livestock & fisheriesCo-ordinated services for 15-54 farmers by turns 15 CIG trainings on technologies & solution-advices

Farmers Information and Advice Centre (FIAC)

Details of FIAC Main observationsYear of Est. 2011 Manual prescribed services

Computers for only official work Hand-on trainings Display board for quick info, pest museum, seed museum Spot advice to farmers daily No ICT based services No application of e-agriculture No financial benefit for SAAO No digital agricultural device Conflicts between FIAC & UISC

Initiated by

(NATP) MoA

Member SAAO-3LEAF-1CEAL-1

Male 2

Female 1ICT facilities-Desktop .Modem, Internet Speed20 kbps

Farmer’s Information and Advice Centre's (FIAC

Community Radio movement has started in 1998 in Bangladesh. Now 32 Community Radio got Govt’s approval among them 16 Community Radio Stations are on-air in the country

They are broadcasting altogether 120 hours programs per day on information, education, agriculture ,local entertainment and development motivation activities

Around 536 Young Women & Youth are now working with those stations throughout the country as rural broadcasters.

Community Radio in Bangladesh

Details of Main observationsYear of Est. 2011 Slogan - Amar Radio, Amar

Kotha Bole (My Radio, My Voice) Irregular volunteers ( as they

are being unpaid )Daily 4-6 hours of load shedding

Lack of skilled manpower Trainings on operating special

radio equipments with program producing & trouble shooting and equip. maintenance

Broadcast news, agriculture & recreation program

32 listener clubs of 600 farmers

Lack of local content

Initiated by AIS,MoA, FAO CR Radio Project,

Staff 6

Male 5

Female 1

Airing time 9 am - 11am & 3pm - 5 pm

ICT Facilities- 3 Desktop computer, 1 laptop ,Modem, Internet Speed-10 kbps-

Community Rural Radio (Agricultural Radio: 98.8) ( Amtoli -Borguna, southern part)


Agricultural Call Centre -16123

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock experts•Validated huge content•Only Govt. owned.


An e-Purjee is a SMS- based Purchase order that sugar mills all over the country send to sugar cane growers during crushing season.

Approximately 2,00,000 sugarcane farmers around the country are benefiting from this service.

E-purji in Bangladesh

High trend of internet penetration

**Mobile internet: 43167000 *BTRC, March 2015

Year wise internet users in Bangladesh

Year User

1990 0

1995 600

2000 92000

2005 340000

2010 55,00000

2014 44625000

Low literacy hampers ICT worksFluctuation of electricity powerNo monitoring and interactive activities after project being overHabituated to submitting irregular subscriptionUnsustainable funding for ICT operationLack of simplicity & accessibility of technologyNo timely deliver of practical solutions for farming

Susmita Das, Senior Documentation Officer, BARC

Major Observations fromCase studies

Lack of well trained members in operating ICT toolsLow internet speed & network coverageNo maintenance support Limited follow up of servicesCreating a degree of trust and sense of co-operation Introducing income generating activities Duplication of information delivery services in same place

(cont.)


Major Observations fromCase studies

Characteristics from Case studies Category of ICT based initiatives


Hig

hly

Dev

elop

ed

aware of modern technology using different websites, Krishi call centre video call through Skype for problem consulting with AISStrong committeehuge fund, sound subscription

Mod

erat

ely

Dev

elop

ed

less internet explore video documentary filmsconsult with Local extension agentweak committeeirregular subscriptionpoor fund

Less

dev

elop

ed

obtaining agricultural information from TV & Local agentno use of computer and multimediano subscription & fund

Based on field survey on 2014 & 2015


*17 AICC surveyed in the different AEZ and different region (2013-2015)

Purpose of using phone


Family commu-nication

50%Agricultural in-

formation40%

Entertainment6%

Others4%

• 30 AEZs and 45 districts With 1990 population

(Survey data 2013-2015)


• 30 AEZs and 45 districts

With 1990 population (Survey data 2013-2015)


News Movies Agricultural Programmes

Others

1080

260

1130

200

730

265

730

90

Farmers' favorable TV Programmes

Service Area ICT Service Area Non ICT

• 30 AEZs and 45 districts With 1990 population

(Survey data 2013-2015)

Use of Mobile Phone

User/Non-user Service Area TotalICT Non

ICT

Mobile phone user

1160 595 1755

Mobile phone non user

10 225 235

Farmers 1170 820 1990• 30 AEZs and 45 districts

With 1990 population (Survey data 2013-2015)



* Analysis from research data (2013-2015)

Cross-Cutting Issues in E- agriculture

Susmita Das, Senior Documentation Officer, BARC& PhD Fellow University of Dhaka [email protected]

E-agriculture

ICT Awareness and Capacity

Building building

Build partnership

Policy advocacy

ICT Infrastructure

and Power supply

Pertinent Contents

Young farmers involvement

Women participation

Institutional capacity building

Interruption of power supply

Poor ICT infrastructure & equipment

No direct interaction with the experts concerned

Irregular monitoring of ICT based services

Inadequate farmer friendly ICT applications

Insufficient ICT knowledge of farmers

Lack of public private collaboration

Gaps indentified-1


Lack of easily understandable contents for farmers

Less awareness among rural people

Lack of relevant real-time information

Lack of region & farmer specific information

Service available only at prescribed time

Lack of information of direct marketing channel for

farm product

Less ICT research & Training on agriculture

Gaps identified-2


Building partnership ICT & agriculture focused organization

Promote 3G internet connection in rural areas Make farmer database software Establishing Media Academy Bridge Rural-Urban Divide Farmer friendly smart phone at minimum price Prepare user friendly interface Connect higher GB bandwidth optical fiber Expansion of Crop Zoning map Develop market chain Expansion of Agriculture Call centre ( Divisional ,

Regional) Make Agriculture Apps in mobile phone (ex.

FRG,BRKB )

Way forward-1

Develop farmer friendly & location specific contents Agriculture newspaper, newsletter, journal etc. Farmer convenient timing of broadcasting agri-programs Organizing young farmers group as energetic ICT adopter Organizing female progressive farmer groups Increase female extension worker for services to woman Upgrading ICT skill of extension service provider Strengthen Research-Extension linkage Develop institutional structures for implementing ICT policy Separate agricultural radio & TV channel ICT platform for Farmers Building SAARC partnership

Way forward-2


THANK YOUSusmita Das, Senior Documentation Officer, BARC

Information services at Farmers level

THANK YOUSusmita Das, Senior Documentation Officer, BARC

the evolving role of information and communication technology in extension advisory services in...

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crop land susmita

small farm holdings

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