The value addition that information and communications technology brings to the agriculture sector is potentially transformative and it can boost the agriculture sector and create new business opportunities at the same time.
Regional director for International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Ioane Koroivuki, made the comment at the e-agriculture strategy for Fiji stakeholders meeting yesterday.
Mr Koroivuki said ICTs could accelerate meeting the goals of national agricultural plans, create new business opportunities for industry and individuals and improve the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen.
"The FAO and the ITU have developed an e-agriculture strategy guide with support from partners including the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA). The guide provides a framework for countries in developing their national e-agriculture strategy.
"In addition to Fiji, the FAO and ITU are also working with the governments of Bhutan and Sri Lanka in this regard and support is planned for Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu," he said.
Mr Koroivuki said e-strategies were cross-sectoral in character and leverage on developments not only in agriculture and the ICT sector but also on ICT deployments in other sectors such as banks, insurance, disaster management, transport, e-governance, health and education among others.
"This week, the e-agriculture expert team has been discussing the priorities, challenges and possible ICT solutions. This stakeholder meeting is to share some of the discussions and gather views as well as discuss potential partnerships."
Mr Koroivuki said e-agriculture looked at applying innovative ways to use information and communication technologies in the rural domain, with a primary focus on agriculture to boost agricultural and rural development.
---
Autor(en)/Author(s): Monika Singh
Quelle/Source: The Fiji Times, 01.07.2016
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
