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ICT4RD: 7th Annual SANGONet
Conference
November 01 – 03, 2011 Wanderers Club Johannesburg South Africa
The I-Network Uganda is an ICT4D knowledge sharing and expertise organisation
The I-Network has been in existence since 2002 with the support of The International Institute for Communication Development (IICD) - Netherlands
More resources are shared on http://www.i-network.or.ug , Newsletters and publications
Presented by: Richard Okuti
I-Network has organised several thematic, topical and learning seminars in the years
The team has also worked with government at policy level (National Planning, Regulation) & local government level as well as various Development Partners
I-Network has largely encouraged the development of other projects like the ICT Consumer Association among others
Presented by: Richard Okuti
E-Administration
Capacity building of local governments in use of desk top computers
Optimising resources through network use
E-Society
Capacity building in the use of ICT for documentation, communication and transparency
Creating opportunities for CSO’s, LG’s and Private sector to collaborate in service delivery
Presented by: Richard Okuti
RIS – Rural Information Systems in collaboration
with Uganda Commodity Exchange
Capacity building of farmer groups in access to and use of ICT
CME – Continuous Medical Education in
Collaboration with Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau
Capacity building in the use of ICT for documentation of learning materials
Digitizing learning materials Presented by: Richard Okuti
Objectives;
To improve understanding of the commodity value chain
Improve understanding of the importance of market intelligence
Increase commitment among beneficiaries to generate accurate production information
Provide other cooperatives with a learning toolbox
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Target;
12 cooperatives with 8000 farmers around Uganda as a pilot
Local Government & community leadership
CBO’s and NGO’s
Expectations;
Improved access and use of market intelligence
Informed decision making
Increased participation in production planning & production management, bulking and marketing
Higher revenue and value addition
Presented by: Richard Okuti
The Process, experiences
and lessons
of RUMI
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Review of
High Level
Farmer
Groups
(HLFG’s)
Selection of
sample
farmers
Establishing a
baseline
Awareness
creation
Development
of Business
Plan
Training
Information
collection &
Usage
Participatory
feedback
Activity & Findings
A due diligence was done to understand the nature, skills and knowledge of the HLFG’s leaders The groups were smaller than anticipated There was a high population in some areas
Lessons The review formed a good basis for further preparation of the I-Network team
What emerged Leaders and sample farmers had to be involved were selected for the pilot. A third group was included
Actions & Recommendations
Farmers were encouraged to select an enterprise as a team to be able to produce large quantities
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Activity & Findings
Due to limited resources only three HLFG’s groups were selected for the pilot project further more with in the groups were sample farmers Noted different locations faced Land fragmentation was a common practice
Lessons Land fragmentation created a productivity challenge making it low and expensive
What emerged Language barriers were identified
Actions & Recommendations
Land hire was considered as an option in addition to joint enterprise selection and lead farmers for translation
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Activity & Findings
Assessment of availability, validity & usage of market information Farmers were aware of market information Use was limited due to access challenges Information more importantly was not specific Sometime late information
Lessons Specific information needs were poorly addressed
What emerged Weather had become a very serious information concern, many were ignorant about irrigation
Actions & Recommendations
Farmers needed to learn to process more specific information and increase linkages with research organizations and service providers
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Activity & Findings
Awareness was created specifically in understanding how to apply information on especially in market & intelligence aspect, the changing dynamics of producing for the market
Lessons Most knowledge sharing was exploitative and was mainly shared by shrewd business people Farmers were more keen on handouts and not knowledge
What emerged Practical demonstration of using market intelligence became a key motivator for change
Actions & Recommendations
Attitude change & handholding was to be introduced
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Activity & Findings
The groups working with I-Network developed plans The groups didn’t have plans Groups were created for marketing and sales
Lessons Planning was not popularly used Most farmers depended on nature
What emerged Another training item was to be included on the agenda
Actions & Recommendations
Groups were advised & coached to research, plan, keep records, project production & market appropriately
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Activity & Findings
The training topics were jointly agreed The training included; The farmers were trained to identify sources of information and how to access it Repackaging & translation for members Accessing production data Business planning (Each group made a plan) Work plans, roles & responsibilities Findings Knowledge in written format was not going to be shared easily Many members had not studied business concepts
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Lessons Creativity was key in sharing knowledge such as
use of illustrations, translations and scenario’s
What emerged A need to create linkages with entire value chain actors became apparent
Actions & Recommendations
Leaders and farmers were guided through the actions agreed including information collection & dissemination, record keeping and marketing
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Activity & Findings
Farmer groups moved to include information collection and use in their plans Interest was however low due to poor appreciation of information at the moment
Lessons Motivation to change was limited Linkages were to practically be arranged
What emerged Farmers needed more support in actualizing linkages
Actions & Recommendations
A new part of the plan that was not originally included was activated
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Group 1 I-Network worked with the group to develop a funding proposal, it was to be used to lobby for funding in the local banks
Group 2 Motivation to change was limited Linkages were to practically be arranged
What emerged Farmers needed more support in actualizing linkages
Recommendations A new part of the plan that was not originally included was activated
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Activity & Findings
A workshop convened to discuss the project & documentation for other potential beneficiaries The approach was appreciated The process of change would take time
Lessons Change is slow and painful The cost of access to information was quite significant (fees, infrastructure, power etc)
What emerged A need for a bureau of continuous support
Recommendations Integrated extension services including all stake holders may be key
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Process This process should be guided by skilled &
knowledgeable persons It involves mapping the farmers value chain and working out a matrix of connections
Learning meetings For continuity the process must be integrated in the day to day activities of the HLFG. Learning should be continuous Experience sharing Handling of emerging issues Taking actions
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Presented by: Richard Okuti
To implement such an intervention one has to take into consideration
some underlying principles;
Leadership & Governance
Access to and use of market intelligence information
Vision & focus in the group
Knowledge sharing for decision making
Appreciation of business principles
Good infrastructure
Access to technical services
Access to finance
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Implementing this intervention these were key learnings;
Land fragmentation can be overcome by joint enterprise selection
Re-packaging and translation of information is key
Water source alternatives like irrigation must be explored
Processing of region/location specific information is important
Attitude towards farming must change
A renewed approach to technical extension services
Coaching and continuous business guidance
Linkages contacts, terms of association/relation and roles key
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Questions?
Presented by: Richard Okuti
Thank you
P. 0. Box 35112
Kampala Uganda
Mobiles: +256772725252
+256792725252