INTERNET & AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT

1. INTERNET & AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT

2. Importance of Internet in Agriculture Bring new information resourcesOpen up new communication channels for rural communities and agriculture organizationsBridging the gaps between development professionalFoster new alliances and interpersonal networksIncreased efficiency and reduced communication costs

3. Ex. Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations Plays important role in assisting the establishment and growth of internet services for rural communities and for agriculture development.

4. Benefits when communication improved Rural Communities & Agriculture Organizations Sharing information about their activities in the fields of agriculture, rural development, forestry, fisheries, health, nutrition and education- better serve rural people and farmers Improved vertical channels of communication that enable rural stakeholders and farmers to communicate with decision makers

5. The internet is a multipurpose tool

6. Internet : Increase rural community resources and agriculture resources such as :

7. Implementation in developing countries • Mexico – Mexican Ministry of Agriculture & Assistance & Services for Agriculture Marketing (ASERCA)-plans for develop an electronic trading system for agriculture products & services. • The development communication approach used to form the Mexicali System that provides farmer org with data on crops, intl crop status,prices, market conditions, wheather, technical & training information.

8. Implementation in developing countries Zambia and Zimbabwe • FAO develop internet based market information tools, household food security information system, early warning systems & other tools to assist decision makers. • National newspaper publish daily versions on WWW and host various email discussion groups. • Support creative internet application & information services particularly among rural stakeholders- extend the reach of information sharing efforts(locally & globally)

9. Sustainable rural agriculture development in Internet applications • Small and medium enterprise – need instant information on global markets, new production and market techniques, new transportation system. • Ability to communicate with potential buyers and brokers • Small producers have the flexibility to quickly change crop choices, develop products for small niche market and market directly to the consumer or commodity broker in other countries. • Local Internet systems become valuable strategic planning and decision making tools.

13. Policy and Regional coordination of internet strategy for rural and agriculture development Donors /agencies play important role in influencing national policy with regard to rural development and national telecommunication improvement strategies. They can :-

14. conclusion • The internet represents a vast global library of information that can become more easily available to rural and remote residents of developing countries. • Farmers, workers and entrepreneurs in rural areas needs Internet to access market information, improve quality and productivity and strengthen business skills and employment opportunities. • Governments, donors, agencies, institutions, educational entities play major role in ensuring the networks and internet facilities and updates information are readily available in rural and remote areas.