Bangladesh Institute of ICT

in Development (BIID) Annual Report 2013- 2014

Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID)

House No. B 165, Road No. 23

Mohakhali DOHS, Dhaka 1206, Bangladesh

Email: info@biid.org.bd

Web: www.biid.org.bd

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ABOUT BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF ICT IN DEVELOPMENT (BIID) 3

VISION 3

STRATEGIES 3

KEY SECTORS AND MAJOR SERVICES 4

PARTNERS AND SERVICES OF BIID 5

ACTIVITIES FROM 2013 – 2014 6

E-KRISHOK 6

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 7

16250 8

SME: ONLINE ADVISORY SERVICE 9

INNOVA 10

FARMBOOK 10

E-CLINIC 10

EXTENSION.ORG 11

CROP INSURANCE 11

INTEL EASY STEPS (IES) 12

WORKING PAPER SERIES 13

ICT STRATEGY FOR AECB PROJECT JOINTLY WITH MEAS 13

PARTNERSHIP WITH VOLUNTARY SERVICES OVERSEAS (VSO) 14

SMART FARMER, SMART FUTURE 15

E-KRISHOK SMART VILLAGE 16

E-KRISHOK EXTENSION TRAINING CENTRE (EETC) 16

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About Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID)

Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID) is a distinct initiative in the private sector to support

development and promotion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based services in

Bangladesh. In recent days ICT has evolved as an effective tool in development dynamics and created

enormous opportunities by IT revolution which means widespread access to, sharing of and use of

information (knowledge) in economic and social activities. In the context of the developing world, ICT

enabled development & business initiatives are useful only to the extent that there is complimentary

tangible and intangible capital, including human, R&D Capital, and knowledge capital.

The distinction of BIID lies in the clear identification of ICT market development opportunities through

continuous knowledge management, innovation and development.

Vision

To become a leading support institute and authentic source of knowledge, skills and innovations to

ICT4D practitioners, Govt., international and local NGOs and private sector players in facilitating

applications of ICT to enhance existing economic activities, develop new economic activities and support

sustainable livelihoods strategies in rural Bangladesh.

Strategies

To realize its vision, BIID adopts following key strategies:

Applying existing knowledge (information and expertise in aid to innovate products & services

for economic and social development)

Piloting/concept testing to roll-out/scale-up new/existing services

Understanding citizens (Target Audience – TA) need and national ICT based development

priorities to decide among alternative investment opportunities

Multi Stakeholder Partnership including collaborating with GoB; national and global private

sector leaders in the ICT sector; and academia to leverage impact of planned initiatives,

resource mobilization and utilization

Integrate new ICT tools including mobile based solution and social media.

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Key Sectors and Major Services

Key Sectors & Major Services of BIID are Health, Agriculture, Citizen’s Rights, Education, MSME where

it provides Strategic Planning (livelihoods analysis, Information/knowledge and Service need assessment

of Target Beneficiaries), Service Provision (content sourcing , Application (i.e. web portal, software other

ICT based delivery platform) development), Capacity Building (Offers a range of training and consulting

services to assist in process standardization, management and operations guidelines and skills

development of Telecenter operator/ entrepreneurs and Offers Institutional capacity building of public

and private sector entities engaged in ICT based information and knowledge transaction and

dissemination.), Linkage Facilitation and Advocacy (promotes farm and non-farm products of rural

areas by facilitating linkage between the producers, the micro and small enterprises, with potential

buyers and distribution channels; facilitates linkages between and among public, non-government and

private entities to catalyze use of ICTs in the provision of public/citizen services and rights based

information and services.) and Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Assessment (develops, plans and

conducts Monitoring and Impact Assessment of business model, project, service or a specific campaign

along with offering consultation in assessing business model, develop strategies for replication / up-

scaling of business models and/or services)

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Partners and Services of BIID

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Activities from 2013 – 2014

e-Krishok

BIID's agricultural service is branded as e-Krishok, an initiative which is aimed at

farmers with the desired goal of providing services from which farmers will

benefit both in terms of their farming activities and opening up opportunities in

new avenues which will ultimately translate into increased income for farmers. It

has been launched in 2009. In May 2012, e-Krishok achieved one of its milestones

when ITU nominated e-Krishok as a Success Story for 2011. In September, 2012,

like ITU, New Agriculturist (UK Based Media House) has featured e-Krishok in their

September 2012 issue.

e-Krishok is a service basket which includes Farmbook business planning and marketing tool, 16250 sort

code based SMS and Call Back service, Market Linkage Program (MLP), Crop Insurance, extension.org

knowledge sharing platform. Thus it is dynamic 360 degree solution which involves progression form

information and advisory service towards developing market linkage, and providing a full range of ICT

enabled agricultural solutions.

Developing the existing market

linkages and creating new

market linkages for the

betterment of the farmers is one

of the aims of e-Krishok service.

In the continuation of its

services, BIID launched e-Krishok

Market Linkage Program on 30th

June 2012 at Dinajpur. It was a

six month pilot project which

was carried out in partnership

with Katalyst, Grameenphone and Eastern Bank Limited (EBL). In 15th December 2012, BIID launched e-

Krishok in Khagrachari jointly with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) . Through this initiative BIID

desires to bring the benefits of ICT to the remote communities in hill district for the 1st time. The e-

Krishok service will ensure access to information, input and market to the farmers to improve their

livelihood.

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Youth Entrepreneurship Development Program

Aiming to creating employment opportunities and

contributing to socioeconomic development of Bangladesh,

BIID (Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development) has

started working for entrepreneurship development. BIID

has signed a collaborative partnership with Dhaka Chamber

of Commerce and Industry (DCCI)and Rotary International

(District 3281) to provide 200 entrepreneurs and business

ideas to DCCI’s project of creating 2000 new

entrepreneurs. The key theme has been to promote ethical

business practices among rural youth communities and

facilitate entrepreneurship development. VSO Bangladesh has also joined with BIID’s initiative for

entrepreneurship development program. They have signed an agreement in order to facilitate

entrepreneurship development among local youth groups in northern parts of the country under the

entrepreneurship development project jointly implemented by BIID, DCCI and Rotary District 3281.

At the first phase of this initiative, BIID arranged primary assessment and idea generation activities

among youth groups in Pairabandha, Rangpur for mapping out the interest areas of youths regarding

their future profession. Initially, youth groups showed their

interest in diverse areas. However, among those different areas,

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Fisheries, Sewing, Tea-stall

and Mobile Vegetable Shop were the most common areas of

interest. At the second phase of the initiative, BIID conducted a

four-day long event which included three training sessions and

one workshop in Pairabandh, Rangpur from February 09, 2014 to

February 12, 2014 to facilitate supportive environment with

business development services for promoting youth

entrepreneurship. The overall objectives of the four-day long

event were: to provide a platform where they can get necessary

information and supports to start their business, and to facilitate

creating youth entrepreneurs. A major success of the initiatives

was a day long advocacy workshop where various stakeholders

including public and private banks, local entrepreneurs, local

government representatives and youths participated and the

importance of access to finance was brought to the forefront and agreed upon. BIID is advocating for a

common youth loan scheme which can be made available through all financial institutes for ensuring to

access to finance. Based on the four-day long event, recommendations have been formed regarding

awareness of both youths as well as service-providers in the entrepreneurship development sector,

necessity of dissemination of entrepreneurship development related information, importance of

A major success of the initiatives was

a day long advocacy workshop where

various stakeholders including public

and private banks, local

entrepreneurs, local government

representatives and youths

participated and the importance of

access to finance was brought to the

forefront and agreed upon. BIID is

advocating for a common youth loan

scheme which can be made available

through all financial institutes for

ensuring to access to finance.

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facilitation, mentoring and monitoring for potential entrepreneurs and urgency of developing a financial

product (Youth Loan Scheme) only for youths.

As the process of entrepreneurship development, BIID has already signed Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) with Prothom Alo Jobs for conducting countrywide training, and is going to form a

collaborative partnership with Standard Chartered Bank along with VSOB. BIID is also exploring ideas

with ULAB for establishing a social innovation hub for facilitation of business innovations and startup

businesses.

16250

BIID has launched a short code based SMS and Call Back service named 16250: e-Information. It will

provide eight different types of information to the respective users. These are Agriculture, Education,

Health Care, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Tourism, Jobs, Complain and Emergency.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has allocated Short Code 16250

along with premium tariff facility for e-Krishok service considering its nature and cost involvement to

ensure quality.

Objectives of e-information service 16250

Make necessary information available to the

user in easiest way

Provide information at shortest possible time

Provide information at minimum cost

Ensuring access to information for wide range

of users

Covering wide array of information to meet

maximum demand

Under the ‘Smart Farmer, Smart Future’ campaign we are promoting the 16250 service in 100 locations

all over Bangladesh in partnership with Grameenphone. We are also bundling 16250 information

packages with quality inputs in partnership with ACI Ltd and Mollika Seed Company so that farmers can

access relevant information along with input when it is needed most, that is, during cultivation period.

This strategy ensures farmers access to information since input retailers are often the most trusted

source of information and advice for farmers and often their last mile contact.

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SME: Online Advisory Service

BIID launched an integrated initiative in Bangladesh to facilitate the rapid growth of the Micro, Small

and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the help of ICT in addressing their problem and providing

suitable solution to them. An ICT-based platform to offer information and services for the rural

enterprises is an effective strategy to enhance the competitiveness of the rural MSMEs who have,

among others, need for information on new markets, better business practices, and business promotion

ideas where technology can become the catalyst to help the enterprises access the same. Empowering

through new market linkages and building capacity of the MSMEs will ultimately contribute to the

growth and competitiveness in this sector. MSME portal also focuses on the access to finance issue

financial literacy as well as training facilities for the MSMEs'.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Development Program is also linked to this initiative so that anyone who is

interested in entrepreneurship and is in need of information and advice can seek such Business

Development Service (BDS) through the online platform.

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Innova

BIID also provides incubation support to young

entrepreneurs during takeoff through Innova, which is a

unique facility with shared office space, logistics and

other facilities. It is a facility established to offer

incubation support to MSMEs in agro-business, ICT and young entrepreneurs during take off

period, especially to promote innovative ideas and initiatives. BIID conducted Financial Literacy

Program (FLP) in partnership with BRAC Bank Limited for local SMEs to strengthen their

capacity so that they are able to improve their business and ensure financial stability.

Farmbook

In May 2013, BIID launched Farmbook, which is an ICT enabled business skill development tool for

farmers. Farmbook is a form of application, which is basically a set of ICT based business planning and

marketing application. It is an initiative of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), USA under MEAS/USAID

research project. BIID and CRS have contextualized this application for the different actors in the

agricultural sector of Bangladesh. Mainly, Farmbook is designed to enable field agents to help farmers

plan their farm businesses more effectively and evaluate their productivity and profitability in am more

systematic manner. Farmbook includes a set of nine distance learning modules on the five skill sets

(Group Organization, Natural Resource Management, Financial Education, Marketing and Innovation).

The application has been initially piloted in five upazillas of Jessore where 10 Sub Assistant Agricultural

Officers (SAAO) were given training on Farmbook. At present, customization of the application is going

on to make it more relevant for local context and a Bengali version has been developed. A more

simplistic mobile application of the solution is also underway.

e-Clinic

e-Clinic is basically an interactive healthcare facility by utilizing

ICT tools. e-clinic project covers awareness building among the

rural communities and online health consultation using video as

well as web application to offer basic primary health care services

in rural settings.

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During 2012, e-Clinic started its partnership with Aysha Memorial Specialized Hospital (AMSH). Under

this partnership, AMSH has been providing physicians and specialist doctors for the e-Clinic services.

Thus, BIID has been running the e-Clinic program in ten different locations throughout the country and

has also organized several health camps in places like Gazipur and Baira in 2013.

In December, 2012, alike e-Krishok, BIID launched e-Clinic services in Khagrachari jointly with VSO

international. Through e-Clinic, BIID will facilitate bringing quality health service to rural areas where

Telemedicine has been identified as one of the most potential tool to bridge the gap.

Extension.org

BIID and Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) jointly

launched the www.extension.org.bd portal on 28th July, 2012

at Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University Seminar Room to

establish an ICT based platform for different stakeholders of

agricultural extension for knowledge sharing. The online

platform will foster usage of ICT in agricultural extension to

faster growth in the agriculture sector through knowledge sharing, consequently enhancing the

efficiency of knowledge & skill of expertise on continuous basis of relevant stakeholders including

researchers, extension officers, academicians, policy makers, private sectors, media, development

agencies, NGOs etc. Instrumentally, it will coordinate among these stakeholders and link the research to

field, provide relevant and updated extension related information to the people on a more quickly and

regular basis.

Crop Insurance

During 5-6 February, 2012 at Jessore and 11-12 February at Dinajpur, BIID conducted a research on

‘Crop Insurance’ in alliance with GDIC. The aim of the study was to assess the then status and future

possibilities of crop insurance in Bangladesh and to support the farming community towards reducing

the risk of crop damage/failure. Presently BIID is working on data collection and assessment for

introducing crop insurance in Jessore and Dinajpur districts for certain crops such as maize and flowers.

Besides, GDIC is in the final stages of product policy development. A pilot project has been scheduled to

be launched in June of 2014.

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Intel Easy Steps (IES)

BIID has signed a MoU with Intel to implement the Intel® Easy Steps (IES) program all over Bangladesh.

Thus, BIID has worked with Intel in designing the training materials according to the needs of learners in

Bangladesh. It has also translated the training manual in the local language, i.e., Bengali.

This program will facilitate computer literacy for adult learners, and especially for the semi-skilled

women workers. It is designed to provide basic computer skills to adult learners who have little or no

prior knowledge on the uses of computers and related technologies. BIID plans to provide training to

female learners at various places such as nursing schools, field level NGOs, vocational or technical

schools etc., so that they are better equipped for the competitive labor market at home as well as

abroad.

Under the IES program, BIID has provided training to 300 students, exclusively for girls, within a Digital

Literacy Campaign scholarship program of Asia Pacific Telecentre Network (APTN) in various rural

locations of Comilla, Gazipur, Manikganj, Mongla, Jhenaidaha and Rangpur. BIID also conducted a

training program on computer literacy and entrepreneurship development for Swisscontact under the

project Towards sustAinable quality healthcaRe delivery at grassSroots level through Active

participation of civil society organisantioNs (TARSAN) for Community Paramedic Training Institutes

(CPTI). The aim of the training was to strengthen the capacity of Community Paramedics (CP) so

that they can be self-employed while serving their own communities.

Computer Literacy and

Entrepreneurship Training for

Community Paramedics (CP)

so that they can be self

employed while at the same

time serve their local

communities

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Working Paper Series

Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID) and the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB)

has published the latest issue, Volume 3 Number 2, of “ICT for Development Working Paper Series” in

December 2013. This is the third of the series of working papers jointly published by the two

institutions.

The ICT for Development Working Paper Series is one of the leading of its kind which aims to

disseminate knowledge in the field of ICT4D in Bangladesh. The key objective of the working paper

series (WPS) is to articulate, capture and document success stories, best practices, lessons learnt and

shortcomings of ICT4D initiatives or researches in developing countries. The issue covers a wide range of

topics such as ICT and economic growth, mobile phones and social communications, women in the ICT

profession, 3G technology applications etc.

ICT Strategy for AECB Project jointly with MEAS

BIID embarked on the Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services (MEAS) project, which has been

launched with the support of USAID and is focused on the integration of Information and

Communication Technologies (ICTs) into agricultural extension services. This is a complementary

extension support program of another project designed by the USAID, the Agricultural Extension

Capacity Building (AECB), which is intended to strengthen extension and advisory services in Bangladesh,

specifically in the Feed the Future target regions. MEAS proposes to provide support to the AECB project

in achieving success under what is designated as Intervention 2 of AECB, namely the expansion of the

use of ICTs to support the provision of extension services. MEAS will provide technical support for the

following four tasks of AECB:

– Development of a Strategy for Extension and use of ICTs in Extension Services – Training of Farmers and Extension Agents in the use of ICTs – Trainings held by Extension Agents using ICTs – Multimedia Extension Products created using ICTs.

The major task of the MEAS support to AECB is to develop the ICT strategy and build capacity among the

AECB partners and stakeholders.

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Partnership with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO)

In order that underprivileged people in the marginal area get ICT enabled services facility a pilot project

titled Facilitating ICT Enabled Services to Build Inclusive Business Model for Young Active Citizen has

been undertaken by BIID and VSO. As part of the activities to attain this objective a rapid market

assessment has been conducted to understand local dynamics, readiness and situation, also determine

business model of 3 (Three) services namely, agriculture, health and ICT skill development in selected 6

(Six) locations of VSO network of youth groups and community. The research and working area are in

two model villages of 3 regions i.e. North West, South West and South East. Based on the findings of the

pilot phase, BIID and VSO are exploring the possibilities of extending these service provisions in hundred

locations throughout the country.

In its continued partnership, BIID and VSO are working in the entrepreneurship development program to

develop entrepreneurs among the VSO volunteers. At the first phase of this initiative, BIID arranged

primary assessment and idea generation activities among youth groups in Pairabondha, Rangpur for

mapping out the interest areas of youths regarding their future profession. At the second phase of the

initiative, BIID conducted a four-day long event which included training sessions and workshops in to

facilitate supportive environment with business development services for promoting youth

entrepreneurship. Business plans have been developed for five sectors which are pisciculture, tailoring,

tea stall, mobile van for vegetable vendor and BPO. At the third stage of this program, a group of youth

is preparing logistics for implementing the fishery project which will be carried out in participatory

method. Besides, a group of girls will be trained on tailoring and business planning or opening a tailoring

shop. Both the partners are exploring collaborations with other private sectors as well for expanding the

program in rural areas.

Youth Volunteers of VSO Pledge

to be Self Reliant through

Entrepreneurship

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Smart Farmer, Smart Future

“Smart Farmer, Smart Future” is a

campaign to promote use of ICT in the field

of agriculture through awareness building,

training and idea generation on what type

of ICT, internet or mobile based services

would be beneficial or required in

improving our agricultural sector. The aim

of this campaign is to encourage farmers to

adopt ICT based services in their

agricultural practices which will enable

them to increase their production and

improve their livelihood.

The proposed project will cover the following objectives:

I. Build awareness among the target groups of ICT enabled service propositions (Mobile and

Internet based advisory service, market linkage, Business Planning service) to the farmers & agri-

businesses by organizing fair and interactive sessions;

II. Engage youth farmers and agri-businesses through active participation in the competition with a

bundle of incentives including prizes and recognition;

III. Inspire & motivate the relevant stakeholders including the local information centres (GP CIC,

UISC &Batighar), extension officers and input suppliers;

IV. Demonstrate the benefit of using ICT enabled Integrated services across farmers to input

retailers;

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e-Krishok Smart Village

e-Krishok Smart Village project is an upcoming project will facilitate integration of ICT services in

selected 100 locations & target the farmer, youth and women groups. The objectives of the Smart

Village Project” are:

A) To empower poor farmers with information and communication tools and services that will

increase their productivity and incomes

B) To protect their food security and improve livelihoods

C) To facilitate ICT skill development of rural youth and women

D) To support the farmer families with e-Health services

e-Krishok Extension Training Centre (EETC)

Bangladesh Institute for ICT in Development (BIID) initiated setting up e-Krishok Extension Training

Centre (EETC) to facilitate state-of-art learning facility in terms of content and service delivery. BIID

foresee broader collaboration and strategic partnership with leading national and international

organizations including academic, research, business associations, government, private sector &

development agencies to contribute for updated learning materials, methods, tools, expertise,

resources and service delivery. The proposed training centre will integrate e-Learning facilities too. EETC

established as the leading training & learning service provider in agricultural extension of the country.

The main objective of introducing EETC is to offer institutionalized and quality learning facilities through

different courses & programs for various extension actors (Individuals, organizations etc.). Another

objective will be to introduce e-Learning facility for the participants.