RUNetwork's approach is investing in Internet tools that will improve the exchange of knowledge and know-how between rural communities, researchers, and extension services. RUNetwork extends access to information through Information Cafés that have an Internet connection and a library of CDs with relevant information. Printers, scanners, digital cameras, and audio-visual recorders are designed to facilitate the collection of information from local farmers in the form of print, video, and voice recordings. (ZADI owned the equipment during this pilot phase; the possibilities and modalities for the transfer of the ownership were to be worked out at the end of the pilot phase). The centres are located in two rural communities: Wait-a-bit and Orange River.

Community participation is central to the development of this knowledge base. The project involves face-to-face meetings between local farmers and the RUNetwork Project Coordinator and CARDI Team. In addition, at each café, a Regional Information Broker (RIB) is responsible for the exchange of information and the consolidation of the local knowledge base. He or she helps farmers and community members document their knowledge, as well as obtain the information they need to improve their livelihoods. The RIB facilitates the rural population's use of the Internet, providing training and information about other computer-based services. The hope is that the farmers, communities, and RIBs will recognise that they are ultimately responsible for the operation of the RUNetwork, using local resources and creativity to solve problems and to work out regulations that can support sustained growth of the cafés. This strategy reflects a demand-driven, 'bottom up' approach from the farmers' point of view in that RUNetwork encourages ownership and sustainability at the community level.

Agriculture, Technology.

Organisers have observed that local knowledge is often scattered among community members. In general, they say, this knowledge is poorly documented and passed on through speech and experience. The worry is that this disorganised system prevents the sharing of information with a larger community while also increasing the risk that knowledge that has in many cases been accumulated and perfected over long periods will be lost.

This pilot project was part of a larger German Ministry of Education and Science (BMBF)-funded programme that has facilitated the development of up to 3 rural information centres in each of these countries: South Africa, Benin, the Caribbean Islands, and India. BMBF provided this funding in the frame of the EXPO2000 world fair at Hannover. Presentation at the EXPO2000 and the preparation of a proposal for a larger project were expected outputs of the pilot project. In Phase II of this project, activities may be expanded to other Caribbean countries.