In the course of the activities of Tech4agri there has been heavy engagement with young entrepreneurs in the field that utilize a variety of ICTs in their agriculture projects. However they face challenges that prevent the progress of these projects.
Hurdles to overcome
Major amongst these challenges is lack of agri knowledge. While the majority of youth are tech savy and forward thinking, case in point the young developers of the Agrihack Talent Competition, a background in any field of study related to agriculture is missing. As a result apps, products and services that are developed using ICTs are not an exact fit for end users.
Who they are specifically, their problems,their needs and their capabilities in terms of understanding ICTs are all questions that should be answered prior, during and after development. Feedback from end users and partnerships with relevant stakeholders is key.
From the presentations given by the app developers aforementioned competition at the CWA 2014, it is clear that they have recognized this challenge with some having already taken steps to overcome it.
Linked to this is another issue that lies in a general disconnect with local and regional agriculture. Within sectors or fields of study, there exist rigid lines of separation, so that persons who have a great interest agriculture but are of a different background lose their initiative in our all important sector due to a lack of support services.
In the case of tech4agri emphasis has been placed on securing start up funds via open business competitions both at the national and regional level. However all applications thus far have failed. Despite this, within the agricultural diaspora tech4agri has done well, winning several awards building social currency, a good reputation, and representing the youth voice in agriculture.
Is it that tech4agri lacks something in particular or that general business experts are similarly detached from agriculture?
Moving forward
Despite these challenges the opportunities for scaling up are available. There has been an overall push towards the establishment of ICT hubs, tech centers and business incubators however there is room for some specification towards agri related enterprises.
Additionally the number of educational programmes, for youth in Agri, ICT or otherwise within the Caribbean is quite significant, but therein lies the problem. These programmes can certainly be partly diversified, exposing students to other fields which can contribute to efforts in scaling up in the future.
Such an action would be more sustainable in comparison to yearly or one off events that foster a limited number of projects chosen for support; granted those projects are the cream of the crop.
Lastly many of us are aware of the chronic problems of organization and implementation that face the caribbean. If we can ensure the sustainability of programmes and initiatives which continually support youth, ICT for agri projects and agribusiness much greater benefit for the overall sector can be achieved.
You raise some good points – especially about the necessity for ICT people to know about agriculture. For ICT to be adopted by the ag industry – it must be about what they need rather than what ICT developers are skilled at making. Perhaps the Hackathon could have paired a farming organisation that has a need/challenge with a developer. My experience has been one of push and pull to get the ICT developer to create what I know will work with our farmers, our workers and within our mobile networks capability.
Agreed! In fact the winning team from the hackathon had done just that. Coming from Jamaica, Team Node 2.0 realised early on the need for farmer involvement in the creation of their app. Therefore they partnered with the Regional Authority for Rural Agriculture RADA of Jamaican Ministry of Agriculture. to ensure their app is of great benefit to the farmers. This certainly contributed to their success in the competition.
Thanks Keron. I’d like to have a closer look at that app. I think the RADA guys are pretty on to it. We are almost finished with our first app in our farm to table suite. Will let you know how it goes.
Looking forward to it Faumuina!
Thanks for this post. The RUFORUM network championed the implementation of an Master of Science in Agricultural Information and Communication Management. This MSc combines computer science coourses and agricultural science courses. The goal is to produce ICT savvy agricultural professionals who can develop relevant apps, communicate agricultural information and better manage agricultural knoweldge. The University of Nairobi (Kenya), Haramaya University (Ethiopia) and Egerton University (Kenya) offer this MSc AICM. I believe we need more such multidisciplinary programs to be offered by our universities
Thanks for sharing this information Nodumo. I wish there was an Msc in AICM programme in the Caribbean!!!
Reblogged this on Dr. B. A. Usman's Blog.