Web-based Information Delivery System for Tilapia for Sustainable Development of Aquaculture in Honduras

1. Web-based Information Delivery System for Tilapia for Sustainable Development of Aquaculture in Honduras Institutionalizing Aquacultural Development in Honduras Brahm Verma, Daniel Meyer Tom Popma, Joseph Molnar, E. William Tollner University of Georgia, Escuela Agricola Panamericana El Zamorano, Auburn University Collaborator: The Red de Desarrollo Sostanible-Honduras (RDS-HN) Funded by PD/A CRSP For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

2. Institutionalizing Aquaculture Development in Honduras • To build capacity or foundation of decision-making in Honduras for self-determination... • To have the capacity to evaluate alternatives with aquaculture for • small and medium scale farmers. For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

3. How do we make decisions? What do we need to know? Who knows and what do they know? What are desired future conditions? How to predict? Is decision-making a systematic process? For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

5. Knowledge <> Memorize, Remember and Repeat Knowledge = Find, Learn technique to create and Use For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

6. How Do People learn? Written text Voice Vision Visualization Feedback Reflection Revision For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

7. How Do People learn? Tools of Learning Written text Books, Pamphlets,… Voice Lectures, Radio,… Vision Photos, Sketches,… Visualization Movies, TV, Models,… Feedback Data, Reflection Process data,… Revision Update knowledge For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

8. How Do People learn? Tools of Learning Written text Books, Pamphlets,… Voice Lectures, Radio,… Vision Photos, Sketches,… Visualization Movies, TV, Models,… Feedback Data,… Reflection Process data,… Revision Update knowledge C O M P U T E R For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

9. What are the obstacles for small- and medium-size farmers to make informed decision? Finding knowledge Learning tools to create Ability to implement For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

10. Some Important Features • Easy accessibility of date and information • Rapid availability • Few barriers in distribution and receiving inputs • Easy update of data and information • Accurate data and information • Ability to respond to questions • Ability to interact with stakeholders • Ability to assess performance For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

11. What is our model? • Train the trainers: Make local NGOs knowledgeable • who then teach the small farmers. • Make a local educational institution(s) capable to • developing and extending new knowledge. • Use electronic information network for distributing data • and information to local trainers/NGOs. • Use the Web to create a network of communication • among local NGOs and policy makers. • Receive input from stakeholders and update date and • information. Share local experiences through live chats • and bulletin boards. • Ask an expert and learn the latest news/advances. • Beat the odds. Overcome poor infrastructure by wireless. For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

12. Goal To develop a system of information delivery by using the Web-based technology for making available knowledge on Tilapia culture and management to farmers, NGOs, policy makers, businesses, consumers and other stakeholders. We named this WIDeST – Web-based Information Delivery System for Tilapia For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

13. Categories of Information • Ponds • Biology of Tilapia • Fingerling Production • Growing-out of Tilapia • Pathology and Diseases • Water Quality and Aquaculture • Aquaculture • Fertilization • Fish Culture • Policulture • Production Quality • Production Systems and Costs • Tilapia and Development • News and Events • Fish Gallery For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

14. Key Players Zamorano – Dan Meyer is providing leadership in coordinating inputs, organizing events for introducing WIDeST to local NGOs and decision-makers and conducting training sessions. RDS-HN – Raquel Isaula, et al. are providing technical service, for developing the Website, providing computer resources and network, updating materials, responding/directing inquiries, and presenting hands-on sessions and publicizing. Auburn University – Joe Molnar and Tom Popma providing important literature for the Website. U of Georgia – Bill Tollner has developed a pond design model now available on WIDeST. Brahm Verma providing overall concepts for developing the use of Web for enabling knowledge availability for decision-making for low-income countries. PD/A CRSP having provided funds to support this project For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

15. Some Observations October 1999 - Learned about RDS-HN July 2000 – Developed the concept of WIDeST August 2000 – Engaged RDS-HN in the project October 2000 – Received input from stakeholders December 2000 – Additional input from stakeholders March 2001 – Inaugurated the Website and provided hands-on session to attendees July 2001 – Engaged NGOs in a session to experience WIDeST and receive their input. August 2001 – Present to ANDAH conference Since March 2001 the Website has been visited by over 7000 individuals, over 170 have used ponds model, over 85 individual inquiries and conducted 4 chat sessions. For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

16. A description of content of the WIDeST will be presented By Roberto Tinoco of RDS-HN after the discussion session and coffee at 18:00 – 20:30. RDS-HN has set up a three computer network to demonstrate and provide a brief hands-on experience. We anticipate further developing the quality of content, that is more useful for the NGOs. We plan using the Website for conducting training sessions in the next 18 months. We believe the Web-based model for providing data and information to small farmers is going to be one of the most effective ways for creating an environment leading to self-development in low-income economies. For Presentation at the VI Central American Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA

17. If you click on http://acuacultura-ca.org.hn You will see…

19. In the maze of data, finding information, In the haze of information, finding knowledge, In the daze of knowledge, finding wisdom. Brahm Verma, April 2000