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Enhancing Access to Agricultural Information using ICTs in Apac District (EAAI)

Country

Uganda

Programme Summary

Enhancing Access to Agricultural Information using ICTs in Apac District (EAAI), initiated by the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) in 2005, is designed to develop and improve information and communication systems to enable easy access to agricultural information for rural women farmers. The project is ongoing in twelve parishes/villages within Maruzi and Kole counties in the Apac District in Uganda. It was initiated with financial support from the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA), and aims to reach 12 grassroots women farmers' groups as the main beneficiaries.

Communication Strategies

The EAAI project was developed in response to a study that showed rural farmers lacked information and skills related to improving the quality of their products, improving seeds and crop varieties, sourcing inputs/implements, plant diseases, pests and their control, and soil management and conservation. According to the organisers, this lack of information and skills has limited the production levels of rural farmers, and hence has resulted in limited incomes and poverty.

The project involved setting up the Kubere Information Centre (KIC), which acts as an information resource point and supports project implementation and two-way linkages with the women farmers. From the centre, women farmers can access training in agricultural practices, as well as in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as cell phones. Some of the groups have also received training in group dynamics and management. Group members are also able to share experiences with each other around best practices and new ideas.

The EAAI project has also partnered with existing sources of agricultural information in order to more easily access a greater amount of information, and avoid "reinventing the wheel".

In addition to the centre, the project airs a weekly agricultural radio show, in partnership with community radio station Radio Apac, which provides information about agricultural techniques and resources. Farmers can also receive information by short messaging service (SMS). According to the organisers, these methods of information dissemination have proved very beneficial for group members. Local agricultural information has also been made available on audiotape, videotape, CD-ROM, and on notice boards. All content produced is available in the local language, Luo.

In addition to the direct work with the rural women's farming groups, the KIC is also participating in an e-society programme designed to foster collaboration between local government and civil society in the district through the use of ICTs.

Development Issues

Agriculture, ICTs, Women.

Partners

Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA), Radio Apac, Agency for Sustainable Development Initiatives (ASDI), Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO), RANET of the Uganda Metrological Department, Apac District Agricultural Office, National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/NARO Agricultural Research and Extension Network (ARENET).

Contact

Dorothy Okello
Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)

Plot 55 Kenneth Dale, Off Kira Road, Kamwokya
P.O. Box 4411

Kampala
Uganda
Tel: +256 41 4532035
Fax: +256 41 4530474

Source

Dimitra Newsletter, Issue 14, March 2008 [PDF] on July 30 2008; and WOUGNET website, December 4 2009.


Placed on the Soul Beat Africa site July 31 2008
Last Updated January 25 2010



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