Connect Rural Knowledge Venture

1. Connect Rural Knowledge Venture Local Information Development, Access and Sharing Through a Support Network for Rural Communities and Producers VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

2. People closest to problems helping solve the problems …and sharing communication processes, tools, techniques and information for action VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

3. The Opportunity • There are vast resources of potentially valuable information, at all levels, that are not finding their way to the people who need it to make local decisions to improve their livelihoods. • The Connect Rural Knowledge Venture will improve capabilities, at all levels, to add value to these resources and improve the flow of information among farm families, producer groups, and information providers. VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

4. Project Goals Improve rural livelihoods / strengthen food security and reduce hunger • Increase access to situation-appropriate and practical information • Add value to existing networks, projects, and communication capacity building initiatives VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

5. Rationale - New Paradigm • Decentralization, privatization, contracted extension services and weak public extension systems • Demand/Supply disconnect: increased demand not matched by supply of appropriate information Peeling cassava roots - Ghana VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

6. Increasing complexity VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

7. Project Outcomes – Year -5 • Sustainable rural knowledge support networks - initially in at least 2 countries in a regional context in Africa, Asia, and LAC (minimum 6) • Demand for information met with appropriate supply • Rural households & enterprises using information to make decisions leading to increased producer profitability and income security Video learning program - Tonga VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

8. Project Outcomes – Year 5 • Increased capacity for local adaptation/sharing of appropriate information • Increased responsiveness of rural production systems to opportunities (and threats) • Establishment of new partnerships and alliances • Incorporated into partner program activities Farmer benefiting from an irrigation system - Gambia VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

9. Rural Knowledge Support Network • Community level households & enterprises • Information providers & exchange networks • National & international knowledge partners VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

10. Connect Demand with Supply:Community level households and enterprises • Up-to-date information on sources, availability and cost of agricultural inputs • Information on market prices, trends, access • Information on enterprise, farm and natural resource management • Information on techniques and technologies for production and post-harvest storage & processing Castor bean plant – processing leads to castor oil, varnishes, paints and dyes VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

11. Connect Demand with Supply:Information Providers & Exchange Networks • Analyze client & communication contexts: determine appropriate content & media • Create, access and adapt information • Share information – horizontally & vertically • Support local appropriation of information: tools, content, processes Farmer Organization Communication Workshop – Kilosa, Tanzania VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

12. Connect Demand with Supply:National & International Knowledge Partners • Orient existing information sources to new rural contexts • Contribute content to information providers and users • Develop and promote practices for dynamic information flow • Share knowledge network experiences, information products, and communication processes • Build capacity of local information producers/facilitators VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

13. Approach to Media and Tools • Building on existing systems and improving access • Based on context, demand and opportunity Rural radio – popular across Africa VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

14. Media and Connectivity Options • Face-to-face, theatre, poetry, music, newsletters, posters, desktop publishing, cd-rom, computer networks, fax, phone, radio, video, email, websites, etc . • Existing connectivity – VITA Connect, WorldSpace, ISPs, 2-way satellite, telecentres, etc. - “whatever works” VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

15. Sustainability: Support Network Partners/Subscribers • Producer groups and community organizations • Donors, International Financial Institutions, International/National NGOs, Governments, Projects • National Agricultural Research Systems • Universities and academic institutions • Agribusiness • Advisory services – public, private, NGO • Media and connectivity service providers VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

16. Business model • Subscription-based service • Sponsorship of information providers and exchange networks • General sponsorship & grants • Fee for service • Partnerships with connectivity service providers Coffee harvesting - Burundi VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

17. Resources • Bulk of resources directed to local information providers and exchange networks • Focus on capacity building, content, strengthening of horizontal and vertical networks Extension officer at work in Laos VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

18. Key Activities • Identify partner opportunities and establish venture partner group • Establish “Rural Connect” management team • Identify criteria for selecting information provider and exchange networks • Assist network and facilitators with needs analysis and communication mapping • Provide support, resources, guides and training materials for local capacity building, outreach and network development • Develop, implement and maintain a continuous and participatory evaluation and learning system VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG

19. Founding Venture Partners • Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA) • www.vita.org • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations • www.fao.org • Sustainable Development Department • Communication for Development Group • World Agriculture Information Centre (WAICENT) • WorldSpace Foundation • www.worldspace.org • TeleCommons Development Group (TDG) • www.telecommons.com VITA/FAO/WSF/TDG