Tag Archive for: m4ag

A linked chain with the title ICTs along the Ag Value Chain

In a complex system like the agricultural value chain, coordination of roles is key as the actors collaborate to exchange resources. Successful coordination calls for appropriate communication approaches and media for smooth flow of resources from one stage to another and from one actor to the other. The importance of communication within the value chain is becoming clear especially with the surge to develop new and innovative information and communication technologies (ICTs) for agriculture and food security.

Global Broadband and Innovations (GBI)  has been exploring the role of the new technologies along the agricultural value chain for improved resource flow. Throughout our desk research, we have found that there are several discussions, and activities going on with the use of ICTs in agriculture and food security, and others specifically on value chain development. However, little is done to bring the two issues together.

The team has identified and selected over 125 ICT solutions (apps and projects) that apply to the various actors within the agricultural value chain, specifically for this initial stage of the project and has mapped out these tools along the chain. Our database is growing (please submit any apps or ICT solutions you think we’ve missed!), and we are constantly refining data. To browse the current database, download a pdf, or submit an entry, visit our ICTs Along the Ag Value Chain page.

Woman in corn field holding out cell phone

New ICT solutions for agricultural development are being developed at break-neck speed, and its hard to keep track of what’s out there, what works, and how it best fits into your project. At this month’s Tech Talk, GBI will demonstrate how ICT applications can complement a value chain approach to agricultural development, and we will bring in users and developers of these apps to explain their tools and how they are implemented. We’ll also unveil a new and useful interactive tool “Ag Apps Along the Value Chain,” that maps a collected inventory of over 120 apps and ICT solutions along the agricultural value chain.

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Benjamin Addom is a knowledge management specialist with training and experience in the use of ICTs for development. He has over 9 years of experience in the field of agriculture, food security, ICT4D, teaching, training, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation. He holds a PhD in Information Science and Technology from Syracuse University School of Information Studies, masters in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University, and a bachelors in General Agriculture from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

With special presentations by

  • Stephen Sellers, CEO, Co-Founder SourceTrace
  • Jacob N. Maaga, CEO, Africa Commodities & Futures Exchange
  • Or Dashevsky, Solution Architect, Catholic Relief Services

 

Make sure to check out our archives of previous GBI Tech Talks.

Mr Qing, ploughing in the fields, relies on China Mobile's farming service

Mr Qing, ploughing in the fields, relies on China Mobile's farming service

The BBC recently reported on Nongxintong, a network created by China Mobile to deliver news and information directly to rural farmers via their cell phones.

The farmers, who generally don’t have access to the internet, receive text or audio messages with market prices, job opportunities, warnings, advice, buyers and sellers. There is also a mobile phone hotline aimed at those with rural businesses.

Click here to read the original article.

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