The document discusses a program that combines mobile and human networks to deliver agricultural information to rural farmers in Uganda. It introduces Caroline Chelangat, a rural chicken farmer who lives 30km from resources. The program trains local community knowledge workers (CKWs) who use mobile phones to search agricultural databases and conduct surveys to help farmers. Over 15 districts, 689 CKWs have registered over 43,000 farmers. The program aims to sustainably improve livelihoods through access to information and services. It highlights features like local caching, simple to complex surveys, and dashboards to track usage and interactions between CKWs and farmers.
Exploring the Future Potential of AI-Enabled Smartphone Processors
Applab Grameen Presentation
1. Combining mobile &
human networks for
agricultural
information delivery
Marc Charles Wanume
Rural Realities, Real Solutions, November 1-3rd
2011 Johannesburg
2. Caroline Chelangat – A Rural Chicken Farmer
Distance from farmers’ union/town: 30 km
Distance from Ag ext station/sub county: 1 hr walk
Income: <$1.25 a day
Total Land Accessed: About 3 acres
Education Level: Primary 7
75% of the world’s poor are rural and most are involved in farming
3. Public & Private Development
Stakeholders
The Model: Community knowledge worker
5. The network of these ‘wise’ neighbors is growing
Coverage
and
distribution
is driven by
ag. ext
partners
CKW 4-6 villages 500-800 households 5-10 km
Traditional ext. 15-40 villages 3,000-9,000 households 50-300 km
6. CKW Program, Applab Uganda – October 2011
15 689 43,341
Districts CKWs Farmers Registered
38.79% 42
Repeat Usage 22,275 Crops & Livestock
Surveys
308,059 358,653
Info Searches Total Interactions
Sustainably improve the livelihoods of small-
holder farmers especially women through
access to information and services
-Applab strategic objective
7. Smart Applications
Local caching
• Farmers aren’t always
online
• Network coverage isn’t yet
100%
• Informational databases
need to be accessible
always
• Saves money on frequently
accessed information
8. CKW Search-What the farmers are asking about
April 2010 - September 2011
# of info queries 'hits'
78661
68556
58354
19858
12087
9. Sustainable data collection
• Simple to Complex surveys
• Skip logic and input
validation
• Intelligent controls
• Auto-saving
• Remote survey management
& submission
• GPS, images, video, voice
• Offline support
• Time tracking
Here I speak of how this farmer like many others in rural Uganda remain isolated despite current efforts. He is too far from the farmers’ union that offers advisory and collective marketing support. It would take the official government extension worker at least two hours to walk to and from this farmers’ farm, he is barely literate so unlikely to independently use a ICT based solution like text searching for info. Farming is therefore tough but he remains optimistic that if only he could get help, things will be better.
The idea is that these rural intermediaries can extend agricultural extension to farmer like Chelangat. Talk about how they are identified, (are nominated by ag players and voted by their communities so they are a link between the two) recruited, trained on both info service to farmers & data collection for ag bodies as well as community service
Was having problems with my hens. Ten of her birds of 20 had died. A neighbor farmer looked up the problem using a phone and advised her to add aloe-vera to drinking water she gives to the hens. All her hens are remaining chicken survived!
Here I talk about how we workwith ag ext orgs that are convinced of the value an ICT enable intermediary can add to their existing program are working with us to build this network. Example of WFP
