SCALING UP CDD IN CENTRAL ASIA

1. SCALING UP CDD IN CENTRAL ASIA APPROACHES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNITY DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT - EXPERIENCE FROM RUSSIA 5 November 2002 S. JANAKIRAM ECSIE, CORE TEAM MEMBER – SASKI THEMATIC GROUP

2. Main topics to be covered • Present the Four M modular approach for development of rural information knowledge system – experience from Russia • Describe the lessons learnt and results achieved • Discuss the approach for CDD activities in transition economies in the former Soviet Union countries in Central Asia

3. Main messages for the CDD group - to take home from this seminar… • Participatory content development and dissemination using available media • Information and knowledge are factors of production • Increasing in • Importance • Demand • Information and knowledge to the rural poor and communities to be provided as a public good in transition economies • Should information be demand based? • Yes – but over time … till communities are formed using democratic processes… and reach maturity …..to become demand driven • Meantime – focus on creating demand and use demand driven where feasible

4. Part One Experience from Russia

5. Agricultural Reform Implementation Support ProjectInitiated and implemented between 1992 and 2001 Components Farmer Information and Advisory Services Market Information Services

6. Context • Approach Taken • Results Achieved • Lessons Learned

7. Context:’92-’93 Initial Conditions • State-controlled information systems—to meet centralized planning requirements • Lack of free access to information to those desiring to be informed and make their own decisions • High literacy rate in the world, but lack of knowledge of how to function in a market economy and varying levels of quality • Availability of basic communication infrastructure – from poor to excellent

8. Objective • To enable the free flow of information and knowledge to improve decision making of different types of emerging public and private rural enterprises, communities and institutions during the transition to a market economy

9. Approach taken

10. From Simple

11. Client Information Needs Assessment Feedback Feedback Single Source Single Discipline Single Media Print Farming community Single User

12. To An increasingly complex… Modular system using multi media to develop and disseminate multi-disciplinary rural information and knowledge from multiple sources to multiple users with built in client information needs assessment and feedback mechanisms: in short – The Four M modular approach for rural information and knowledge system.

13. Client Information Needs Assessment

14. Priorities of Information • Legal, financial, marketing, business • Methods of processing agricultural products • Agricultural mechanization and technologies • Veterinary related applications

15. Multiusers: The First M

16. Private Farms Collective/State Farms Government Agro Industries Consumers Multiusers

17. Multisource: The Second M

18. Multidisciplinary: The Third M

19. Rural Information and Knowledge Development Russian Research Academies International Research Institutes Agricultural Institutions Foreign Sources Information Sources Multisource Universities Local/Foreign Data Banks Govt. Agencies Input Suppliers Information Development for Client & Media (Business, Market, Technical, Legal, Environmental) Management, organization Multidisciplinary

20. Multimedia: The Fourth M

21. Exhibitions & Fairs Print Radio Video Computer TV Rural Information and Knowledge Dissemination—Using Multimedia

22. FEED- BACK FROM USERS

23. Rural Information and Knowledge System Client Information Needs Assessment Feedback Feedback Russian Research Academies International Research Institutes Agricultural Institutions Information Sources Foreign Sources Local/Foreign Data Banks Universities Govt. Agencies Input Suppliers Information Development for Client & Media (Business, Market, Technical, Legal, Environmental) Multimedia Exhibitions & Fairs Print Radio Video Computer TV Multiusers Private Farms Collective/State Farms Government Agro Industries Consumers Multisource Multidisciplinary

24. Ministry of Agriculture: Press Video Center Client Information Needs Assessment Feedback Feedback Russian Research Academies International Research Institutes Agricultural Institutions Information Sources Int’l Libraries Local/Foreign Data Banks Universities MOA Depts Foreign Univ. Press Video Center Multisource Multidisciplinary Multimedia Print Radio Video Computer TV Multiusers Agricultural Producers Federal MOA Departments Oblast-MOA Departments Institutes

25. Results

26. User Level—individuals, groups, communities, and institutions: • Beginning of • Attitudinal changes in new ways of doing business by different users • Increased awareness among users to make informed business decisions and understanding of the rewards and risks of a market economy • Creation of democratic structures and new alliances • Transparency, improved governance and increased accountability of public resources • Stimulating competition among traders, reducing interregional price disparities, and taking advantage of international market opportunities • Over 8,500 specialists trained in a variety of agricultural topics Present Conditions

27. Institutional/Technical Level— • Creation of distributed computing environment connecting 30 oblasts (states) and over 300 raions (districts) across the Russian Federation providing agriculture and market information • A modern press video center using digital technology in the Ministry of Agriculture • A well developed Federal Training Center in Timiryazev Agricultural Academy Present Conditions

28. Lessons Learnt

29. Involvement of as many public and private institutions as possible for information development and dissemination • Such as: • - Dept of Science and technology, Information, advisory services in the Ministry of Agriculture • - Agricultural Universities at the federal and state levels • - Research Academies • - Nongovernmental organizations • - Local community organizations • - Public and private media organizations • Build on local culture, customs and media – incorporate local mechanisms into information and knowledge transfer project activities •  Examples : • - Annual agricultural exhibitions/fairs • - Harvest festivals • - Local TV and radio programs • - Local newspapers, periodicals, magazines

30. Flexibility and scalability in technology hardware • Incorporate internationally accepted hardware and software standards into information network design and communication •  Examples: • - Distributed computing environment • - Open Software • - Effective use of available communication facilities and bandwidth • Expect limited cost recovery •  Such as: • - Recovery of partial operating costs • - Provide information as a free public good, especially in transition economies • Provide adequate operations support – for day to day operations •  Examples: • - Office supplies • - Communication expenses • - Local transport • - Incorporate performance based incentives for project staff

31. Part Two Applications for Scaling up CDD in Central Asia

32. Some definitions: community • A unified group of individuals or households • An interacting population consisting of various types of individuals or households living in a common location • A group of individuals or households having a common characteristic or interest or belief • A group of individuals or households having common professional interests • A group of individuals or households working together

33. Information and Community Development • Is an essential element for development of civil society • Is a factor of production • Helps coalition building • Helps form citizen advocacy groups • Creates new alliances, partnerships among citizens, local governments and businesses • Promotes public involvement in problem solving and controversial projects and reform programs

34. Before and even now… Set by the State To Develop and Sustain A Socialistic System and/or Power structures . Now…..and future… Set by the Communities To Develop and Sustain A Democratic System or reversing power structures Information – priority setting

35. Information Needs in Transition Economies FROM …. AGRICULTURE TO ……… ZOOLOGY

36. Changing information needs of • Landless poor • Subsistence farmers • Small farmers • Medium to Large farmers

37. Landless poor Examples… • Entitlements • Laws and regulations • Employment opportunities • Social benefits • Education and training • Health • Other

38. Subsistence farmers Examples…. • Technologies to maintain at least subsistence levels of agricultural production • Minimizing risk • Cultural practices • Prices • Weather • Inputs • Water • Seeds • Fertilizer, pesticides, etc • Credit • Other

39. Small farmers Examples… • Same as those for subsistence farmers Plus • Market opportunities • Where to market • What to market • When to market • Developing market niches • Farm management • Other

40. Medium to Large farmers Examples…. • Same as those for small farmers PLUS • Shaping Policies • Management and administration • Technologies • Environmental rules and regulations • Other

41. But information and knowledge needs are changing to ….. More holistic information & knowledge covering Agriculture Health Education Social benefits Services Entertainment Other

42. Common theme which emerges is Demand for information and knowledge is on the increase….. But must be Timely Relevant Easily accessible Understandable Affordable

43. even if it is scribbled on the back of an envelope!!!!!!

44. Information is just one elementto solving problems in scaling up CDD – examples where information could make a difference • Clarify vague notions of property • Increase accountability of local executives and administrators responsible for delivery of services • Accelerates changes in legal,regulatory and political environment conducive for increased citizen involvement in public affairs, entrepreneurship, business development, etc. • Strengthens cooperative linkages between Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments

45. Areas Clarify vague notions of property Increase accountability of local executives and administrators responsible for delivery of services Reduction in functions and responsibilities of local governments in relation to budget and manpower resources Changes in legal,regulatory and political environment conducive for increased citizen involvement in public affairs, entrepreneurship, business development, etc. Strengthen cooperative linkages between Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments Azerbaijan - stage Intermediate Beginning Early beginnings Beginning Beginning Information is just one elementto solving problems in scaling up CDD – examples where information could make a difference

46. Areas Clarify vague notions of property Increase accountability of local executives and administrators responsible for delivery of services Reduction in functions and responsibilities of local governments in relation to budget and manpower resources Changes in legal,regulatory and political environment conducive for increased citizen involvement in public affairs, entrepreneurship, business development, etc. Strengthen cooperative linkages between Center and local Governments Tajikistan - stage Very early beginnings Early Beginning Early beginnings Beginning Early Beginning Information is just one elementto solving problems in scaling up CDD – examples where information could make a difference

47. QUESTIONS?SUGGESTIONS?Are most welcome Thank you for your participation