IICD supported project: Information Network in Mandé

Countries: Mali [ML]
Sectors: agriculture livelihood

Summary

This project will try to solve the information and communication problems of farmers in the Mandé region, south of Bamako in Mali. The almost total lack of infrastructure in this region makes it very difficult for the implementing organisation Fabema to reach its constituent members and to inform them about activities, awareness workshops and market prices. Through a combination of telephone-Internet technology and an audio-based radio communication system (RAC), this project will establish a pilot network between the small town Bancoumana (where Fabema's headquarters are located) and Bamako (where the offices of 3AG are located) on the one hand, and four villages on the other hand.

Update

Updated: 2008-02-04

During April 2005, preparations were made for the implementation of the first phase of the project. A contract was established with Mission Aviation for the installation of the RAC-system and the provision of training on use and maintenance of the RAC-equipment. Technical advice on planning, equipment choice and procurement of ICT-equipment was provided by local consultant Reonet. A training needs assessment was done by IDC.

Introduction

The main office of FABEMA is situated in Bancoumana, 60 kms from Bamako. There is no telephone access in Bancoumana, and the only road that leads to the village is in such a bad shape that it is totally impractible during the rainy season. All information and exchange between 3AG and FABEMA (e.g. co-signature of cheques, financial accounts, activity reports, the organisation of workshops and training, research reports etc.) have to take place by physical travel, which makes it very ineffective and costly.

At the level of Fabema, other geographical obstacles exist that hamper communication: the geographical disparity of the villages on 200 km2, the lack of good roads, the lack of transportation means and the fact that the river Niger crosses the region (17 villages on the left side of the river, 18 on the right side). Due to these factors and the absence of modern communication technologies, all communications concerning market prices, invitations for meetings and workshops, loans on manure, plant diseases, the contribution of the associations, are often poorly transmitted.

For economical opportunities in the Mandé region to be successful (like the commercialisation of shea butter or manure), a good mastering of market price information and adequate communication has become a necessity.

All the factors above contribute to the conclusion that FABEMA will need to reinforce its internal and external communication channels in an efficient way that is adapted to the local circumstances.

Objectives

The aims to achieve the following:

• Reinforce the internal communication and information channels of the farmers’ federation Fabema;
• Reinforce the communication channels between Fabema and partner organisations like 3 AG;
• Reinforce the impact of awareness creation activities on Health, Alphabetisation and Agricultural Production through the use of computer technology.

Planned outputs

The following outputs were planned at the strat of the project:

• Installation of computers and Internet access at the level of 3AG offices in Bamako;
• Installation of a RAC system plus 2 computers in Bancoumana;
• Installation of four RAC systems + solar power systems in presence points in the villages of Kéniéro, Dangassa, Siman and Siramana;
• Capacity development on the use of ICT and RAC-systems for at least 20 beneficiaries.

Development Impacts

The direct beneficiaries of the project will be the members of FABEMA (2450), and in particular the members in the five villages where the RAC-system will be installed. Indirect beneficiaries are the other inhabitants of the Mandé region and other NGO’s and organisations that operate in this region. The expected impact on development is:

• Contribution to poverty reduction through the empowerment of the farmers’ organisation
• Awareness creation on socio-economical development techniques through information, communication and capacity development;
• Contribution to the fight against epidemics and general Health improvement.
• Production and productivity enhancement through dissemination of new agricultural production techniques;
• Contribution to the fight against illiteracy;
• Contribution to extra income generation for the individual beneficiaries through skills and capacity development.

Management and organisation

The project coordinator is Samba Togola of 3AG. He will be assisted by two colleagues from 3AG at the level of Bamako, and a local coordinator from Fabema at the level of Bancoumana. In each of the villages, two to three persons will be appointed to run and manage the small units where the RAC-systems will be installed.

Market and finance

The financial sustainability of this project should be reached by billing the use of the RAC-system for personal messages of individual farmers and other organisations, by a yearly contribution of Fabema and by developing new services like for example DVD-projections.

Budget

The total budget of the project is 182.000 euro over five years. IICD will finance 110.000 euro during the two first years. Through services, activities and contributions, 3AG-Fabema is expected to raise 36.000 euros during the five project years. A gap of 36.000 euros during year 3, 4 and 5 will have to be filled through contributions of other donors, which will be actively sought during the first two years.

Project Owner : 3AG - Association d’Aide et d’Appui aux Groupements (ruraux et urbains)

Project Partners : IICD

Project Contact : IICD