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LEVERAGING ICTs FOR AGRICULTURE FINANCE




Introduction
ICT and agricultural finance are two separate keywords; before the link could be established, there is need to understand both theoretical and practical working knowledge of both keywords.  Several articles and discussions had been done on the effective of information and communication technology in agriculture sectors. Huge innovations ensuring flow of finance and eliminating barriers mitigating the availability and flow of fund in the value chain had been experienced.
Since there is no standard definition of ICT in the ICT sectors, I would like to analyze the acronym “ICT” one after the other related to their functions in the value chain. The word “I” which stand for information is very critical and its availability will help the financial institutions to make relevant decision whether to release funds to the small scale producers or not e.g. records of farm activities, prices of goods, market and fund availability.
“C” for communication is the conveying clearly the relevant ideas, activities through the actors in the system of production to the financing institutions, or donors. These could be face to face or via ICT gadget communication while the T represents the creation, modification, usage and knowledge of tools to disseminate proper information, making communication easy and reduce the cost of transaction between the chain actors and chain supporters. In this respect, the maximization of information and communication technology to its full potential in the agricultural sector needs great attention and all hands must be on desk to realize it profitability in the agriculture sector. Research will be solely the medium to realize this.

ICT Innovations in agricultural sectors.
A series of ICT innovations on agric-sector across countries has been shaping the way agric-sectors operate. Some of these innovations are internet connectivity, web 2.0, aWhere, ensibuuko, FarmDrive, Farmforce, e-krishok, Agrocentral, Agrilife Platform, Credit Information sharing system (CIS), social media tools, application resources (e-voucher systems, e-registry platforms), mobile phones and lots more.
The agric value chain actors now have privileged to use ICT tools for research purpose, sharing and managing of information, collaborating and learning with the opportunity of networking.
Through the use of mobile phones, information about commodity prices, markets, inputs supplies, cultural practices, farm, and crop management is now made possible.
ICT tools help the value chain actors to market their products and secure fund to boost their productivity. Various transactions like money and business transaction, SMS on farm details via mobile and email with communication been made possible which in turn reduce cost of transaction and bring about better decision and management.
Web platform is now a vital tool for the chain actors to search for relevant information, best practice and opportunities in the agric-sector. Through this platform potential client which lead to purchase order, exchange and collecting of information on modern farming techniques. Also, several application developed help the chain actors to manage and keeping of proper record of farm activities, transaction for wise decision making and fund securities.

ICT: Value advance in Agric-Sector
Despite of various existed ICT innovations to boost the agricultural economy, the sector still remain unproductive and very minute turn over. Effort need to be made to fully maximize information and communication technology in agricultural sector and this can be realize by replicating and availability of existed ICT tools in the agric-sector nationwide, supporting research to develop new tools to aid growth in agriculture sector and making the value chain actors embrace and use the available resources.
In order to maximize the information and communication technologies in the agric-sector, all hand must come together to decide whether there exist alternative but if not coalition of stakeholders in research, infrastructures development, discipline among various stakeholders is a must to help advance agriculture through information and communication technology.

Recommendation
Lack of access to road prevent car movement, therefore, if we intend and interested in developing agric-sector through ICT, investment in ICT infrastructure and its access is a major concern. Training and capacity building to strengthening the skills and knowledge of the value chain actors is a priority, development of robust and simple ICT tools that every chain actors can easily understand, use and operate.
References.
1Informed Analysis Expert Opinions.  http://Agritrade.ctaint
2Enhancing young women’s engagement in ICT and Agriculture. Organized by CTA in collaboration with AYF
3 Leveraging ICT for Micro-Finance. Safal solutions Pvt Ltd.
4Leveraging ICT for BOP: Innovative Business Models in education, Health, Agriculture and Financial presentation transcript.
  New ICT in agriculture learning available. ACDI/VOCA Contributes to USAID Briefing Papers and Webinars

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