Only connect? Emerging ICT options and opportunities for farmers via AgInfo News from IAALD
On 26 August, CTA will organise a special session at the upcoming IAALD/AFITA World Congress in Japan.As a result of geographical isolation, poor communication facilities and limited purchasing power, many people working in agricultural development in ACP countries are unaware of the opportunities and resources that are potentially available to support agricultural development in ACP countries.This is particularly true in the fast moving field of ICTs which is heavily impacting on agriculture and shows great promise for ACP states. In recent years, for instance, technological advances coupled with falling prices in hardware have led to the appearance and increasing availability of low cost mobile computers (such as the XO “$ 100” laptop from OLPC), affordable wireless connectivity...
CTA Director Hansjörg Neun is struck by the potential of the 'one-laptop-per-child' concept (and the laptop) - but for farmers!In his latest blog posting he explains that CTA will soon test the new laptop in 'Wageningen' conditions, seeking answers to a whole lot of questions, like:Which agricultural content from CTA and its partners could CTA make available?Which content could be provided online (web/email) and/or offline (on USB memory sticks, flash cards)?How could it be used by illiterate people (by means of videos, graphical interfaces)?Who could (or should) be the usersand more ...In another posting on the same day, CTA's Kevin Painting makes the case "for what we at CTA are calling the 'One Laptop Per Farmer agenda' (OLPF) – which recognises the tremendous benefits that OLPC...