ICT access needs and challenges for agricultural stakeholders by Peter Thompson - RADA

1. 1
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority RADA
Topic : The need for Extension and Issues In Extension
Presented by:
Peter Thompson
Zonal Director : Extension and Technology Transfer
April 24, 2013.

2. BackgroundBackground
 Jamaica’s Agriculture is diverse and the farmingJamaica’s Agriculture is diverse and the farming
 population is approximately 243,000 farmerspopulation is approximately 243,000 farmers
 80% of the farmers occupy 2 or less hectares80% of the farmers occupy 2 or less hectares
 20% of farmers occupy 2 or more hectares but20% of farmers occupy 2 or more hectares but
could contribute at least 60% of total productioncould contribute at least 60% of total production
 In 2012 Agriculture contribution to GDP isIn 2012 Agriculture contribution to GDP is
5.9%5.9%
 There are 120 Extension officers and specialistsThere are 120 Extension officers and specialists
.2

3. 3
IssuesIssues
RADA tries to address the issue of ICT in
Agricultural Extension on two fronts:
A) Use of mobile cell phone to provide farmers
with information such as: weather warnings,
cultural practices on specific crops, pests and
disease management etc. 70% adaption
B) Provide Extension officers with tablets equip
with internet service to provide real time data to
Headquarter and other stakeholders and toand to
update data base to currency on a regular basisupdate data base to currency on a regular basis

4. 4
Ministry’s MandateMinistry’s Mandate
To Support Agriculture and Agriculture ExtensionTo Support Agriculture and Agriculture Extension
The Theme isThe Theme is::
““Eat What You Grow and Grow what You Eat”Eat What You Grow and Grow what You Eat”
The Food Import bill for 2012 was approximately USThe Food Import bill for 2012 was approximately US 1.21.2
Billion DollarsBillion Dollars
Major crops imported are as follows:Major crops imported are as follows:
 IrishIrish
 OnionsOnions
 CarrotsCarrots
 Garlic etc.Garlic etc.
Export agriculture earned little overExport agriculture earned little over $ 300 Million US, major$ 300 Million US, major
crops exported being cocoa, coffee, tubers and sugar canecrops exported being cocoa, coffee, tubers and sugar cane

5. Areas of FocusAreas of Focus
The Government expects Agriculture to driveThe Government expects Agriculture to drive
growth:growth:
• To provide quality extension service to allTo provide quality extension service to all
farmersfarmers
• Allow farmers easier access to informationAllow farmers easier access to information
• Real time information to farmers and stakeReal time information to farmers and stake
holders particular (marketing and financial inst).holders particular (marketing and financial inst).
• Relationship building among stakeholdersRelationship building among stakeholders
• Create Economies of Scale through ICTCreate Economies of Scale through ICT
5

6. Major ChallengesMajor Challenges
With all good intentions we are faced with theWith all good intentions we are faced with the
following challenges:following challenges:
 Age of the farmers and adaptation of technology
 Human and financial resources(Farmer/RADA)
 High cost of internet access avg. $30US/ Month
 Internet Coverage low, 60%
 New initiatives and innovations
 Electricity availability and cost
6

7. RECOMMENDATIONRECOMMENDATION
•Target women and youths who are moreTarget women and youths who are more
responsive to technology adaptationresponsive to technology adaptation
•Encourage Competition by granting license toEncourage Competition by granting license to
other phone service providers to drive down costsother phone service providers to drive down costs
•Investment in ICT infrastructure which isInvestment in ICT infrastructure which is
decentralizedecentralize
•Clear ICT policy supported by governmentClear ICT policy supported by government
•Private sector support to drive e-AgriculturePrivate sector support to drive e-Agriculture
strategystrategy 7

8. 8
Thank you for yourThank you for your
attention &attention &
participation Itsparticipation Its
WednesdayWednesday
"The ends you serve that are selfish will take you no further than
yourself but the ends you serve that are for all, in common, will take you
into eternity." - Marcus Garvey.