THE NETHERLANDS24-27 APRIL, 2013

CTA ICT Observatory meeting

Strengthening e-Agriculture Strategies in ACP Countries

Countries: 15 + 5 Associates + ObserversPopulation: 15 million +Workforce: relatively youngLanguages: English, French, Dutch, Creole,

SpanishTrade Union – CARIFORUM ((CARICOM +

Dominican Republic

CARICOM AT A GLANCE

The main objectives of the CARICOM Single Market & Economy are:

• full use of labour (full employment) and • full exploitation of the other factors of production

(natural resources and capital); • competitive production leading to greater variety

and quantity of products and services to trade with other countries.

• ~ for improved standards of living and work and sustained economic development

FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME – CSM&E

A Diversified services sectorOpen and competitive marketsGreater utilisation of developments in

traditional areas ( e.g. Biotechnology in agriculture)

Growth of regional enterprises Growth of tele-workUrgent need to reduce unemployment and

increase the employment rate

New Caribbean Economy

CONTEXTAgriculture is a complex system, encompassing a

wide range of activities and issues: family agriculture versus large-scaleagriculture, commodity production versus value added

at origin, productivity versus sustainability. hink of the hundredsindustrial, medicinal and cosmetic applications, and the

thousands of subproducts produced by the existing production chains.

Elements affecting agro-industry such theo weather, water, soils, pests, human resources, etc.

Inter-sectoral linkages Agro-tourism; Agro-ecology; Agro-health; Agro-education; Agro-industry Transportation

CONTEXT

Limited financing and inadequate levels of new investments; Deficient and uncoordinated risk management measures; Inadequate research and development; Outdated and inefficient agricultural health and food safety

(AHFS) systems; Weak land and water distribution and management systems; Inadequate transportation systems, particularly for

perishables; Weak and non-integrated market information and intelligence

systems; Weak linkages and participation of producers in growth

market segments; and Lack of skilled and quality human resources.

CHALLENGES

REVISED TREATY OF CHAGUARAMASThe Community – include objectives:

improved standards of living and work;full employment of labour and other factors of production; accelerated, co-ordinated and sustained economic

development and convergence;expansion of trade and economic relations with third States;enhanced levels of international competitiveness;organisation for increased production and productivity;the achievement of a greater measure of economic leverage effectiveness of Member States in dealing with third States,

groups of States and entities of any description;

CARICOM Agricultural PolicyThe major objective of the CAP is to develop

agriculture, fisheries and forestry in a regional framework and perspective. Caribbean farmers and agribusinesses need to be

supported to provide more food for the regional market.

Rural livelihoods and youth programs must be improved and expanded.

Little explicit mention of the use of ICT

CARICOM POLICIESREGIONAL FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY

POLICY (2010) FOUR (4) dimensions:

1. food availability, 2. household access, 3. nutritional adequacy (consumption/biological

utilization and care practices) and 4. the stability of the three components

NINE COUNTRIES PREPARING BY JUNE 2013

NATIONAL DIGITAL STRATEGIESSTATE/

AGENCYICT POLICY/ STRATEGY

KEY THEMES SECTOR FOCUS

Antigua & Barbuda

Policy – People First

Affordable access; modern telecom’ strategy

Marketing, gaming, software, education

Bahamas E-commerce; 2003 Digital Agenda

Sustainable growth and development

E-business, e-government telecommunications; human resource; financial,; content; tourism

Barbados National ICT Strategy,

Health, wealth, security

Human resources; quality of life; socio-economic (labour, community)

Belize E-readiness E-transactions Laws, HR, Government

Dominica E-government

Services; reduce poverty; improve competitiveness

Government, tourism, education, agriculture, ICT

NATIONAL DIGITAL STRATEGIESSTATE/

AGENCYICT POLICY/ STRATEGY

KEY THEMES SECTOR FOCUS

Dominican Republic

Strategy for Knowledge

Sustainable growth, equality. Social inclusion

Access; digital government, public services; policy

Grenada Strategy and Action Plan

Government, business, education, civil society

Government, legal infrastructure; human resource

Guyana Developing strategy

Public sector reform, HR, economic dev.

Education, content, public sector

Haiti - Education, social development

Education, health care

Jamaica Policy and strategy

E-government; e-inclusion

Education, research. Gov., industry

NATIONAL DIGITAL STRATEGIESSTATE/

AGENCYICT POLICY/ STRATEGY

KEY THEMES SECTOR FOCUS

St. Lucia E-development Strategy

E-government Tourism; legislation, training

St Kitts and Nevis

Strategy - to be revised

Infrastructure for Information society

Tourism, financial services, education, agriculture

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Strategy and road map

Public sector reform, HR, Infrastructure

Education, content, culture

Suriname In process Education, social development

Education, health care

Trinidad and Tobago

Policy and strategy

HR, economy, e-government

Education, SME, health care, justice

AGRI INITIATIVES

Trinidad - NAMIS (National Agricultural MIS)

namistt.com which matches buyers & growers

Grenada - a Farmers link up with Digicel

CaFAN Caribbean Farmers Network

UWI T&T have a SMS App for the sale of fish.

SVG - NAMIS system to match farm output with

Supermarkets.

CARICOM POLICIESYOUTH STUDY - EYE 0N THE FUTURE. Investing

in YOUTH NOW for. Tomorrow's Community. Report of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development. January 2010ICT IN RELATION TO EDUCATIONNO AGRICULTURE

SERVICES ACTION PLAN IN TRAININDUSTRIAL POLICYENERGY POLICY

ICT – REGIONAL DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGYCollaborative leadership/governance (rationalise

overlapping functions of multiple agenciesResearch and Innovation (application supporting

sustainability) Key social & Economic development measures

(ICTs providing a supportive environment in communities, lifelong learning, business, government)

CARICOM POLICIES

Is our Market share growing?In spite of all the available policies – still need

for more Policies. Why?Do these policies matter to the ‘person-in-the –

street’?Driven by International Agenda?

LeadershipPolitical willknowledge

Are we reaping the rewards of our organic and innovative product base?

CHALLENGE

OPPORTUNITIES Global definition of

ICT

DEVELOPMENT ohave been anchored to economic activities. o The UNDP Development Index (1991) - by coupling it as

sustainable development which speaks to “meeting the needs to today and of future generations”

o at the simplest level, development implies growth or maturation and advancement.

OpportunitiesDocument and measure the IMPACT of

Agriculture initiatives Improve access to information for:

Policy and decision-makingProductionAgribusiness developmentResearch

OPPORTUNITIESDevelop innovation policies showing pivotal

role of ICT in SECTOR developmentManage strategically the overlapping related

initiatives - HARMONISATIONE.g. Early warning systemsDatabases / data collection MDGs / WSISPOLICIES

MORE TALK !!! LESS TALK - MORE ACTION!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

JENNIFER BRITTONDEPUTY PROGRAMME MANAGER – ICT4D

EMAIL:jbritton@caricom.orgSKYPE: caricomict4dexternal

CONTACT INFORMATION