Technology, Agriculture, Nutrition, Economic Development.

Programme organisers note that more than 80 low-income developing countries suffer from chronic food deficits; 800 million people live in hunger. Assisting farmers in developing countries to secure the means to secure food insecurity, they claim, requires new technologies, skills, and ways to collaborate. The organised use of ICTs may be one way to help farmers share experiences, find common ground, and participate actively in rural development activities. While telecommunications still favour urban areas, the coverage in rural areas is growing.

This programme is organised by the Communication for Development Group, Extension, Education and Communication Service (SDRE), the Research and Technology Development Service (SDRR), the World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT) Outreach Programme - all part of the FAO.

FAO's experience with FarmNets began in Latin America in the early 1990s, where farmer electronic information networks were established in Chile and Mexico. The networks provided information on crops, inputs, prices, markets, weather conditions, and credit facilities. FAO recently completed a feasibility study to establish FarmNet with the Uganda National Farmers' Association (UNFA). The study found that the best approach would be to enhance existing communication efforts through face-to-face meetings, audio listening groups, local radio, publications, and other media with the use of a simple email-based communication system.