ICT OLPF Strategy Benefits to Education & Agriculture

1. ICT OLPF Strategy Benefits to Education & Agriculture

2. Contents • ICT Strategy • ICT – Infrastructure, Connectivity and Access • OLPF Strategy • Realization of ICT for Development • ICT OLPF Education Initiative • Benefits to Education • ICT OLPF Strategy • Relevance to Agriculture

3. ICT Strategy Information, Communication, Technology

4. ICT – Infrastructure, Connectivity and Access • ICT is about identifying the opportunities that technology through global connectivity and infrastructure can offer in facilitating equal access. • ICT is about the people, our children, education and skills development – bridging the digital divide. • The Government recognizes the importance of this and is moving to ensure that we build human capacity that can take advantage of ICT.

5. ICT – Infrastructure, Connectivity and Access • Guyana’s Information Communication Telecommunication for Development (ICT4D) Strategy of April 2006,outlined a plan to ensure a dramatic increase in the use of ICT to support social and economic development: • Develop human capacity: Through the OLPF project • Improve Infrastructure: Through Brazil-GT Fiber and WiMax/Fiber coastal project • Amendment of the laws to allow for Data Protection, E-Commerce, and competitiveness in the telecommunication sector

6. OLPF Strategy One Laptop Per Family

7. OLPF a realization of ICT • The One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project is one of the tools being employed to build capacity. • The OLPF project aims to create a level playing field as indicated in the Millennium Development Goals. • The OLPF project is not only about the distribution of a tool but also has a well defined program in teaching the beneficiaries how to best use the tool.

8. OLPF a realization of ICT • OLPF includes: • The building of over 200 learning centers • The building of stronger community spirit • The transfer of technology • Expansion of employment • Persons will contribute to community initiatives. Initiatives which will expand knowledge, improve community spirit and make the environment secure and safe.

9. ICT-OLPF Strategy Benefits to Education

10. ICT OLPF Strategy - Benefits to Education • ICT creates opportunities for employment and industry development, resulting in the creation of knowledge-based workers. • The laptop is mobile and can be accessed by a wide audience thus supporting knowledge sharing within the family and community. • The distribution of laptops complements the approach to information technology in education.

11. ICT OLPF Strategy - Benefits to Education • The MoE is aiming to create computer labs in public secondary schools by the end of the year and subsequently primary schools. • The Ministry is also currently undertaking a training program for teachers who will be responsible for bringing ICT into the classroom.

12. ICT-OLPF Strategy As a tool of progress in Agriculture

13. ICT OLPF Strategy - Agriculture Enhancing Agricultural Production • Farmers (especially small ones) often face threats like poor soils, drought, erosion and pests. • ICT can help by providing up-to-date information about pest and disease control, early warning systems, new ways to optimise production and regulations for quality control.

14. ICT OLPF Strategy - Agriculture Improving Market Access • Providing up-to-date information on the market prices of commodities, inputs and consumer trends. • This improves a farmer's negotiating position and livelihood, while enabling farmers to make better decisions about future crops and commodities and the best time and place to sell/buy goods.

15. ICT OLPF Strategy - Agriculture Capacity-building and empowerment • ICT technologies strengthen farmer capacities and allow them to better represent their constituencies when negotiating input and output prices, land claims, resource rights and infrastructure projects. • Rural communities are able to interact with others via the use of ICT which reduces social isolation.

16. Thank you