Improving Poor Farmers' Livelihoods through Rice Information Technology

Details

Project	37707-012
Related Projects	Search
Type	Grant
Sector	Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development
Country	Regional
Start	2004
End	2009
Status	Closed
Last Edited	05 Jul 2021

Funding

US$('000) 1,000

Project Description

The overall objective of the proposed initiative is to improve food security and livelihood of poor farmers in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) through increased application of existing agricultural information, using information and communication technology (ICT) to manage and share information at the national and regional levels. The immediate objectives are to (i) manage and apply information at global and national levels to the local context using ICT to consolidate the process: the Rice Knowledge Bank (RKB) of the web-based information of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) will be the main tool to pilot the initiative; this will include identifying and prioritizing information needs of local farmers, and adapting and translating materials into local languages to meet local needs; (ii) institutionalize the use of ICT and adaptation of global information to local context: the RKB will be used in capacity building for agricultural extension workers, information facilitators, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and other institutions at national and provincial levels; (iii) build and strengthen the knowledge network of agricultural extension practitioners at national and regional levels using RKG as the main tool: Practitioners will be involved in continued updating of RKB information sharing experience and knowledge.

Progress (as of March 2021)

Project closed

Contacts

Contact 1
Contact Name	Makin, Ian William
Organization	Asian Development Bank
Email
Contact 2
Contact Name	-
Organization	-
Email	-

News and Multimedia

Pump used to irrigate rice fields.
Source: ADB Flickr

Technicians from the government conducts regular testing and evaluation of rice plants being grown by farmers.
Source: ADB Flickr

Nguyen Thi Nong, 48, from Vinh Quang Village in the Gio Linh district, Quang Tri province, checking her 1.2 hectares of rice fields.
Source: ADB Flickr

Farmers enjoying better harvest.
Source: ADB Flickr

The localized rice knowledge bank (RKB) addressed the production issues and knowledge needs of target groups. RKB was institutionalized locally with key agricultural service institution. Agricultural service institutions were better able to address rice production issues encountered by poor farmers. Rice production quality and profitability improved at the farm level, based on improved information quality of extension service.