IICD supported project: ICT for Agriculture in the Chiquitano Region

Countries: Bolivia [BO]
Sectors: agriculture livelihood

Summary

This project aims to strengthen small indigenous farmers in the Chiquitano region in terms of their integration into local economic development through access to information and ICTs. The information and ICTs are to assist in the provision of access to market information and promotion of indigenous produce. In addition, it is aimed at increased participation in local and regional decision-making and inclusion in local development planning. Direct beneficiaries of the project include the indigenous farmers in 115 communities in the region.

Update

Updated: 2006-09-01

In April 2003, NGO APCOB has started a project focusing on awareness
creation and economic promotion of indigenous products in the
Chiquitania region in the lowlands of Bolivia. Indigenous people in the
region produce forest products (honey, herbs, etc.) that are not part
of the set of products that are normally promoted through the
traditional channels. <br />
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The project combines Internet access through information centres in the
larger communities, voice radio access in isolated communities and a
series of radio programmes. New feature in this project is to explore
the possibilities of connecting rural information centres to the
Internet by means of microwave links, solving problems of absent or low
quality fixed telephone lines. The project is developed in close
collaboration with the indigenous groups and local governments. The
rural information centres linking the end users to the central office
in Santa Cruz have started operations with a focus on training of the
centres’ staff and end users.

Objectives

Economic: Provision of access to information on production methods and market information for 4 key products (honey, sustainable wood products, handy crafts, medicinal plants);

Awareness: Sensitize civil society on the importance of indigenous production;

Empowerment: Participation of small indigenous farmers in local and regional decision making bodies;

Empowerment: Ensure inclusion of demands of indigenous producers in the municipal government plans Farmers and communities in the Valleys of Santa Cruz improve their income by means of access to information assisting in a more optimal planning of production and marketing of agriculture products.

Planned outputs

ICT implementation: Linking 115 communities through voice radio; Set up 3 info centres in indigenous centres; Handover of 3 centres to local governments; and, Assistance set up regional radio network.

Information/services: Weekly radio programs; Monthly information bulletins; and, Inclusion of ten percent of demands of indigenous people in local development plans.

Training: Five members project team; Three Internet operators; Three radio operators; and, 115 rural reporters.

Development Impacts

The project is interesting for different reasons: 1) Target group represents the poorest people in remote rural areas, 2) Active involvement of local government will allow us to gain experience with collaboration between NGOs, grass-root organisations and local governments, 3) The project will provide information services and advice only on request by the target group. This will allow us to see if there is real demand for this kind of services, 4) The objective reaches beyond market and production information, including participation in local decision makers by indigenous people, is interesting from a governance perspective.

Project Owner : Apoyo para el Campesino-Indígena del Oriente Boliviano (APCOB)

Contact Organisation : IICD