Presentation by Roxanna Samii to WCCA/IAALD/AFITA joint conference 24-27 August 2008
Text of Mobile star killed laptop star
1. Mobile phone killed the laptop star? Roxanna Samii International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) WCCA/IAALD/AFITA joint conference 24-27 August 2008
2. ICT4D mantra
FOCUS on PEOPLE, not technology
Ensure ownership and appropriation
Develop local content
Ensure language and cultural pertinence
Ensure participation
3. What type of ICTs can be at the service of small-scale farmers?
Affordable
Scalable
Self-sustaining
Sensible
Participatory
Appropriate
The availability and use of ICT is no longer optional A. Sen
4. Mobile telephony: the panacea?
3.3 billion mobile subscribers globally *
Integrated platform offering, content and telecom services
280.7 million mobile phone subscribers in Africa
Pre-paid subscriptions account for nearly 95% of total mobile subscriptions in Africa
High penetration rate make it universal service
* Wikipedia estimates as of 30/11/07
5. Mobile phone: Catalyst for social inclusion
Point of contact
Predominant mode of communication
Reduces the digital divide
Accessible technology for previously marginalized groups
Relatively affordable and easy to use
Brings families together
Provide medical services to remote villages and monitor patients
Social networking and knowledge transfer tool
6. Mobile phone: Catalyst for economic growth
Small businesses participate in the economic system
Access to price information
Communication with buyers
New and innovative businesses
Increased job opportunity
Annual increase of 0.6% in GDP growth
Minimize travel cost
When you get a mobile phone it is almost like having a card to get out of poverty in a couple of years Muhammad Yunus
7. Mobile phones enhancing rural connectivity: Some examples
Fishers in Mauritius
Weather reports
Inform buyant or middleman of their catch
Get price
Small-scale farmers in Mozambique
Market analysis
Inform buyer (supermarket)
Get price
Tradenet.biz
Commodity price, harvest, transport, trading offers, disease outbreaks, weather and more
SMS and internet
8. Mobile telephony growth drivers
Shorter payback period on investment
Lower installation cost
Subsidization of handsets
Pre-paid offerings
Continued liberalization of the telecom sector
Low penetration rates
Lower level of skill to use
Positive social and economic impact
9. Mobile phone killed the laptop star?
One billion people have access to internet
3.3 billion mobile subscribers globally
Wifi technology: internet and mobile telephony happy marriage
VoIP
Wide range of services including agricultural extension services
10. US$100 laptop or $10 mobile phone: Which one will make it?
Appropriate, affordable, scalable, self-sustaining and sensible technology
Public-private partnership
Universal and more equitable access
Sustainable funding
11. What is holding up adoption of ICTs in agriculture?
Lack of understanding and awareness of the needs and challenges of small-scale farmers
Failure to use participatory approaches
Lack of systematic inclusion of ICTs in national poverty reduction strategy
Building the capacity of communities and local organizations to lead and own the process of appropriation
Fragmented coordination among donors
Convergence of old and new technology to create a three-tier system: public, commercial and community
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