| EC Discussion Paper on African Agriculture |
| In March 2001, a capacity building, training workshop was implemented by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Forestry (MAAIF) Planning Department funded by FAO under the programme of Integrated Support to Sustainable Development and Food Security (IP) GCP/INT/694/NOR. The workshop was attended by lecturers, statisticians, monitoring and information officers from institutions of Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), DANIDA Household Agricultural Support Programme (HASP), Makerere University, World Vision, MAAIF, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Uganda Coffee Farmers Association (UCFA), and Uganda National Farmers Association (UNFA). This historic workshop generated much consciousness on gender disaggregated data (GDD) by transforming the quality of information gathering and processing. The dynamics of gender in relation to statistical information, the institution of the family in terms of division of labour, resource allocation among men and women, boys and girls, has gained particular significance. At the end of the workshop, participants came to understand the vital element of GDD for the success of all agricultural programs, in particular, the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA).
This was confirmed by the talk given by the Minister of State for Finance in Charge of Investment, Hon. Gabriel Opio at the closing ceremony. He stated: "Gender disaggregated data is important as it indicates the levels of contribution by gender to rural and agricultural development. It also helps policy makers to identify, focus and address constraints hindering farmers from achieving their maximum potentials".
The workshop marks a significant advance in the process of data gathering and processing, and achieved success beyond its objectives. In the short term, GDD will particularly help the surveys in other IP protocols and other research and surveys, while in the long term it will help in the planned Agricultural Census in 2003.
For more information, contact IP Uganda (FAO) at
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|
| Electronic Delivery of Agricultural Information to Rural Communities in Uganda |
| The main objective of this project is to improve access to agricultural information by rural communities through the use of traditional and modern ICTs to increase agricultural production. The project followed the establishment of the Buwama and Nabweru telecenters to ensure that local access and content are available. The project is a collaborative effort between National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and CAB International (CABI) with funding support from International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The project's target groups include rural farmers, women's groups, extension workers, youth groups, NGOs and community based organisations. |
| FAO's Integrated Support to Sustainable Development and Food Security Programme (IP) |
| FAO's Integrated Support to Sustainable Development and Food Security Programme (IP) was initiated in March 1998, with funding from the governments of Norway and Finland. It is a normative programme implemented in collaboration with partners in Namibia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The aim of the IP is to promote synergy through interdisciplinary collaboration and information-sharing across and in support of ongoing rural development programmes. Gender is mainstreamed throughout the programme, and several of the activities involve capacity-building in relation to gender. Workshops on Socioeconomic and Gender Analysis (SEAGA) and Gender disaggregated data have been held in partner countries, and activities focusing on appropriate farm technologies for women and men are under development.
In Uganda, the IP's focus has been on establishing networks and collaboration between diverse sectors that are working towards food security in Uganda. Much of the work has been centered on gender mainstreaming and participatory tools and methods. |
| Gender Disaggregated Data Capacity Building Workshop |
| FAO's Integrated Support to Sustainable Development and Food Security Programme (IP) was initiated in March 1998, with funding from the governments of Norway and Finland. It is a normative programme implemented in collaboration with partners in Namibia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The aim of the IP is to promote synergy through interdisciplinary collaboration and information-sharing across and in support of ongoing rural development programmes. Gender is mainstreamed throughout the programme, and several of the activities involve capacity-building in relation to gender. Workshops on Socioeconomic and Gender Analysis (SEAGA) and Gender disaggregated data have been held in partner countries, and activities focusing on appropriate farm technologies for women and men are under development.
In Uganda, the IP's focus has been on establishing networks and collaboration between diverse sectors that are working towards food security in Uganda. Much of the work has been centered on gender mainstreaming and participatory tools and methods.
Gender Disaggregated Data Capacity Building Workshop
In March 2001, a capacity building, training workshop was implemented by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Forestry (MAAIF) Planning Department funded by FAO under the programme of Integrated Support to Sustainable Development and Food Security (IP) GCP/INT/694/NOR. The workshop was attended by lecturers, statisticians, monitoring and information officers from institutions of Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), DANIDA Household Agricultural Support Programme (HASP), Makerere University, World Vision, MAAIF, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Uganda Coffee Farmers Association (UCFA), and Uganda National Farmers Association (UNFA). This historic workshop generated much consciousness on gender disaggregated data (GDD) by transforming the quality of information gathering and processing. The dynamics of gender in relation to statistical information, the institution of the family in terms of division of labour, resource allocation among men and women, boys and girls, has gained particular significance. At the end of the workshop, participants came to understand the vital element of GDD for the success of all agricultural programs, in particular, the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA).
This was confirmed by the talk given by the Minister of State for Finance in Charge of Investment, Hon. Gabriel Opio at the closing ceremony. He stated: "Gender disaggregated data is important as it indicates the levels of contribution by gender to rural and agricultural development. It also helps policy makers to identify, focus and address constraints hindering farmers from achieving their maximum potentials".
The workshop marks a significant advance in the process of data gathering and processing, and achieved success beyond its objectives. In the short term, GDD will particularly help the surveys in other IP protocols and other research and surveys, while in the long term it will help in the planned Agricultural Census in 2003.
For more information, contact IP Uganda (FAO) at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
| LEISA: Changing information flows in agriculture in developing countries |
| LEISA, the biggest international magazine for the exchange of experiences on low external input, sustainable agriculture, has published a special issue on ICTs and the changing information flows in agriculture in developing countries. One area of focus is the effect that the trend towards dismantling of publicly funded extension programmes is having on the rural information landscape. The articles describe how ICTs play an increasingly prominent role in agricultural communities in developing countries. Included also are several examples illustrating the importance of "old" technologies, such as newsletters and radio, and calling on the development community to use all available means to ensure that farmers have the information they need in order to continue to farm sustainably.
LEISA Magazine is published quarterly by ILEIA, the Centre for Information on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture. This issue of LEISA was undertaken in collaboration with Bellanet. It includes a special pull-out section demonstrating techniques for accessing web-based information via email, along with other tools and resources for Internet users in rural and remote settings. The articles are published online in PDF format. |
| Marketplace for Agricultural Information Services (MPAIS) |
| MPAIS is an online knowledge bank and trading area for agricultural information and advisory services in Uganda. The Uganda Plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA) places emphasis on a private sector-led economy through commercialization, private sector participation, decentralization and broader participation of multiple actors in the provision of agricultural services including research and extension. The MPAIS project, therefore, explored the opportunities to stimulate a Market for Agricultural Information Services in rural areas by providing profitable opportunities for a variety of firms, NGOs and others to meet the growing demand from extension service providers for quality information, advice, training and other products. The results of this pilot project were intended to inform and guide policy formulation and create the foundation for a possible wider implementation. MPAIS was a pilot project being implemented jointly by Africa 2000 Network Uganda, Infobridge Foundation (The Netherlands) and Source-KM (U.K.). It was been funded through the UK DFID Crop Post Harvest Research Programme Regional Office for East Africa and took place between March and December 2005. |
| Matsanza Farmers Union - Uganda (MFU) |
| Based in Mbale District, MFU's mission is to educate, support and develop the grassroot community initiative towards sustainability development. |
| National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) |
| The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) is a government of Uganda program put in place to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural extension service. It is a semi-autonomous body formed under NAADS Act of June 2001 with a mandate to develop a demand driven, farmer-led agricultural service delivery system targeting the poor subsistence farmers, with emphasis to women, youth and people with disabilities. Its development goal is to enhance rural livelihoods by increasing agricultural productivity and profitability in a sustainable manner.
NAADS is working in pursuit of the national development framework of Poverty Eradication Agenda, which is guided by the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP). NAADS overall supervision is vested in the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). The programme was officially launched in March 2002.
NAADS is one of the seven components under the Plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA), the planning framework of the government for the transformation of subsistence agriculture to market oriented for commercial production. NAADS programme aims to redress past shortcomings in the provision of the agricultural extension services through far reaching reforms and innovative approaches in service delivery. |
| National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Uganda |
| NARO was created with a clear vision "to be a centre of excellence spearheading the development and enhancing the flow of improved and appropriate technologies with its partners and clients, to the farming communities by establishing and operating lean, efficient and cost effective mechanisms and an enabling environment for agricultural research and sustained agricultural development, through a system of management devolution and delegation of authority". |
| Rapid (or relaxed) appraisal of Agricultural Knowledge Systems (RAAKS) |
| RAAKS is a participatory action research methodology and alternative system of inquiry developed at the Department of Communication and Innovation Studies, now the Communication and Innovation Studies Group of Wageningen University, the Netherlands. Originally it focused on action research in agriculture. However, over time, it has been widely applied to natural resources management and research and development in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia. It provides a flexible and participatory approach to improving innovative performance in agriculture, natural resource management and rural development. RAAKS is a methodology that has been designed and tested to help stakeholders gain a better understanding of their performance as innovators. RAAKS provides a way to improve the generation, exchange and utilization of knowledge and information for innovation. Men or women villagers, researchers, policymakers, extension workers, consumers, producers of inputs or services, industrialists and/or traders, guided by a team of specialists, can all be involved in a RAAKS study. |
| Rural women and Access to Land (Recommendations of International Workshop) |
| The International Workshop Rural Women and Land took place in Thies, Senegal from 25-27 February 2003. It was entirely conceived and organised by the Rural Women National Network of Senegal with the support of the Dimitra project and Enda-Pronat. The main goal was for rural women to speak out and highlight the problems they encounter in regard to accessing cultivable land, natural resources and land acquisition. Rural women, the majority of whom are farmers, are crucial partners in the fight against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Nevertheless, their work still remains underestimated and local traditions can often increase discrimination against them.
The Recommendations, Action Plan and other documents resulting from the conference are available online for consultation. For documents in French, visit http://www.enda.sn/pronat. |
| Science and Development Network |
| The Science and Development Network (SciDev.Net) has established itself as an authoritative online source of information and debate about the way that science and technology can meet the social and economic needs of the developing world. SciDev.Net includes an African Gateway providing news coverage through its network of science journalists in the region. SciDev.Net also provides in-depth 'dossiers' on key topical issues in agriculture and enviroment including indigenous knowledge, GM Crops and climate change and has free access to selected articles from the journals 'Science' and 'Nature.' |
| Tune Workshop Proceedings: Women in Agriculture and Modern Communication Technology |
| From March 30 - April 3, 1998, specialists from developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America met in Tune Landboskole, Denmark, to conduct a workshop on women in agriculture and modern communication technology. The workshop organised by the Danish Agricultural and Rural Development Advisers' Forum considered the dimension of communication for three reasons: (1) the increased realization of the importance to appreciate and start work from an understanding of indigenous knowledge, (2) the potential inherent in modern communication technology, and (3) recognition that insititutional changes always take time, but technology can be used to create networks of people there bypassing institutional inertia. |
| Web-Agri: The Smart Farming Site |
| The first real Farming search engine. Find that needle in a haystack!!
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