The launch took place in south western Uganda at Tourist hotel on 18th/11/2009 in Kisoro South Western Uganda. The launch was attended by different stakeholders who included;
- Sector head agricultural lending Equity Bank Mr.Bihoctavia Tumuheki
- Bufundi potato Innovation platform
- International Marketing officer National Organic Agriculture Movement of Uganda Mr. Namuwoza Charity Chahi potato Innovation platform,
- Bubale sorghum growers Innovation Platform,
- Ntungamo pineapple growers Innovation platform,
- Kampala Potato Traders Group (KPTG),
- Centenary Rural Development Bank (CERUDEB)
- Uganda Industrial Research Institute
- Kabale and Kisoro Local Governments
- Kachwekano Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (KAZARDI)
- National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO),
- Open Distance Learning Network Team (ODLN)
The different stakeholders made presentations showing how they can be linked together to improve farmers’ livelihoods.
The Open Distance Learning Network Team (ODLN) presented and demonstrated how ICT can be fully utilised to increase information flow and knowledge sharing to improve farmers’ livelihoods. In this regard the team demonstrated the ability of using one mobile phone to link different people in just one call. (Conference).The participants were fascinated by such simple technology that can make a virtual meeting on a mobile phone. As away of strengthening communication, the ODLN offered fully connected mobile phones to Innovation platform leaders (Farmers Groups)
In the same way, the ODLN conducted a radio talk show that was broadcasted live on Voice of Kigezi in Kabale a radio that broadcasts purely in the local language (Rukiga) that aimed at emphasising how ICT can link the different stakeholders in the agriculture sector to foster development and introduce the L3F concept to the community. The talk show lasted for one hour and it was an interactive show where listeners were given a chance to call in and share experiences and information with the team. The talk show is available on a CD and will be published on the website.
To demonstrate how ICT can foster agriculture development through the use of ICTD and open distance learning to alleviate poverty.
To establish linkages with famers, extensionists, researchers and other stakeholders who attended the workshop and introduce the L3F concept to all the stakeholders that share the same interest
The participants were so much excited by the ability of ICT in enhancing communication flow between the different stakeholders. They realised that some of the technologies have existed for long but have never been fully exploited. The demand for large scale implementation of the conference call through the CUG to all the stakeholders was echoed. The idea was that the different stakeholders who thousands of miles apart can deliberate on one issue through these conference calls without necessarily travelling to the meeting points which is costly and tiring
It was realised from the farmers that are ICT structures that in place but are not working effectively and the L3F project may take advantage of this to rehabilitate them and make them work as the farmers realised that they can be of great potential to agricultural development through providing effective information flow and knowledge sharing. A suggestion was made by the NARO zonal director Dr.Kashaija Imelda to rehabilitate the Kachwekano community radio that is owned by NARO but was later struck by lightening since in our presentation we had highlighted that two community radios would be set up in future if resources allow.
The farmers requested that more talk shows should be conducted to educate them about feasible ICT technologies that enhance information flow and exchange to enhance agriculture development.
Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK-ODLN)
P.O.BOX 7062 Kampala-Uganda.
Contact Person, Professor Moses Tenywa.
Tel: +256-772 827 710
: +256-701 827 710
Fax: +256 414 531 641
Email: tenywamakooma@yahoo.com
Website http://www.iar4d-ict4d-l3f.org
