IICD supported project: ICT for the exchange of farmer experiences in ecological agriculture

Countries: Bolivia [BO]
Sectors: agriculture livelihood

Summary

The project proposes the use of ICTs to assist the exchange of successful experiences related to organic agriculture and the sustainable use of natural resources among farmer communities. ICTs are used to ease the way for the dissemination of information concerning a wide range of experiences, valuable knowledge and the use of innovative technologies among small farmers. Distant communities of small organic farmers can take advantage of this information. The project consists mainly in the registration of experiences and the production and participative distribution of training material based mainly in multimedia presentation tools, combining texts, digital photography, audio, video, printed material and the production of testimonial radio programmes broadcasted through rural and community radio stations.

Update

Updated: 2005-08-30

The project started its implementation stage in May 2003. Ever since that date it has been in touch with many institutions and organizations for the registration and analysis of successful experiences in organic agriculture. So far, there have been no changes in the organization of the project. Nevertheless, changes may occur according to possible contacts and agreements established with institutions and organizations working in the field of sustainable management of natural resources and organic agriculture.<br />
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For 2004 I was planned to have already registered at least 10 successful experiences reported by agricultural producers. Unfortunately, this goal couldn’t be fulfilled due to the delay in the subscription of inter institutional agreements during the initial stage of the project. This caused a delay in the training of local promoters, who had to carry out the register and exchange of experiences by using ICTs. We have planned an intense activity that will allow us to complete the training activities and start with the registration process.

Objectives

The project intends to expand the communication channels by creating an inter-community network for the exchange and distribution of information concerning experiences in organic agriculture. For this, a database (WINISIS) of the library of AGRECOL will be designed and developed and all the available mass media in the rural area will be used to disseminate valuable experiences.

Planned outputs

In order to ensure the good performance and the development of this Experience Sharing Network, strategic associations will be approved with institutions working in the agro-ecological sector. In this way, the first exchanges will be carried out with: Pastoral Social Cochabamba, Proyecto Kanchay, Proyecto PROMIC, Proyecto ACLO-Potosí, Association of Organic Producers of the Valle de la Concepción- APECO-, Radio Esperanza, Farmers Association DIAGRACIO VIDEZ “ and Intercomunal Tarija”.

The results of the project will show that first of all, we have revised and classified the information in relation with the different training methodologies imparted to agricultural producers. We have been in contact with local institutions and organizations concerned with the sustainable management of natural resources in four Bolivian regions. We have been able to identify many experiences of small farmers as to their management of organic agriculture in two regions of the country (Santa Cruz and Cochabamba). We have co-hosted an event for the promotion of the training activities (the initial Workshops of the ICT project). We have participated in the Workshop “Land Management and Conservation Platform” in Comarapa, Santa Cruz and, finally, we have imparted training on ICT tools and resources to the working team of the ICT Project- AGRECOL.

Other results will show that we have already managed to identify 16 successful experiences related to sustainable management of natural resources and organic agriculture. They will be verified by documentary evidence after making the agreements with the small farmers’ organizations in three eco-regions of Bolivia (Valles, Cabecera del Valle and Puna). Moreover, we will design an ICT training methodology for small agricultural producers. So far, we have organized promotion events for the ICT – AGRECOL project in several communities and organizations. 670 agricultural producers have attended these events. 12 local promoters have been chosen to receive initial training in the documentation of successful experiences. Finally, we have used ICTs to enlarge and improve the operation of the AGRECOL Andes Foundation information system.

Development Impacts

The overall objective of the project is to simplify the use and the access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for small producers associations and families of the rural communities in the Andes region. We want to help them enhance and enrich their knowledge about organic agriculture and sustainable management of natural resources. We are sure that the implementation of this project will improve and complement the interactive and horizontal exchange of experiences among farmers.

Management and organisation

AGRECOL Foundation was created on June 2001. It provides services in relation with knowledge management for rural sustainable development. The Foundation uses participative methodologies in its work with small farmers’ organizations, with public institutions and private institutions working in the area of development. AGRECOL is responsible for the formulation, implementation and follow up of the project, including its financial administration. Besides, because of its experience with participative methodologies and being a centre for the registration and dissemination of experiences, AGRECOL takes on the responsibility of providing training to the local promoters. Finally, it will also be in charge of the coordination with other projects of the Programme ICT- Bolivia for the promotion and dissemination of information about the results and outputs of all the projects.

Market and finance

The final users of ICT services are mainly agricultural producers in the Andes region. The geographic coverage for the first stage of the project intends to reach users and/or beneficiaries in the Departments of Chuquisaca, Potosí and Tarija. That is to say, 1800 agricultural producers in identified small farmers associations, 125 Agricultural Producers Associations and farmers organizations, 24 Productive Local Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and/or Private Institutions for Social Development (IPDSs), Technical Training Centres and public and private universities.

The main income source of the Project will be the sale of training services to other institutions and organizations as well as the provision of advisory services to other institutions willing to register experiences using the ICT supported methodology. Moreover, AGRECOL intends to tap resources from other funding agencies.

Project Owner : Fundación AGRECOL Andes

Contact Organisation : IICD

Project Contact : IICD