Information Technology Diagnostic Study

Internet Use and Diagnostic Study - East Africa (Supporting innovation in the provision of agricultural support services through Linked Local Learning) September 27, 2000 A collaborative project of the International Support Group, Netherlands and Centre Technique de Cooperation Agricole et Rurale, Netherlands with the TeleCommons Development Group, Canada ISG. Berkenweg 36 3818 LB Amersfoort, Netherlands www.ids.ac.uk/eldis/isg/isg.html CTA. Agro Business Park 2, 6708 PW Wageningen, Netherlands www.cta.nl TDG 512 Woolwich St Suite 200 Guelph N1H 3X7 Ontario Canada www. telecommons.com Credits Study Coordinators Clive Lightfoot, International Support Group Don Richardson, TeleCommons Development Group Ibrahim Tiemogo Centre Technique de Cooperation Agricole et Rural Scott McConnell, TeleCommons Development Group Dr. Francis M. Shao, FANRM, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Dr. Dan Kisauzi, NIDA, Kampala, Uganda Dr. Isaac Bekalo and John Adede IIRR, Nairobi, Kenya Editing Galin Kora, Dr. Don Richardson, Veronica Wright TeleCommons Development Group Clive Lightfoot, Ricardo Ramirez International Support Group Helen Aitkin TDG, and Carine Alders ISG. Field Work and Reporting ISG Coordinators East Africa Logistical Support Working with Email at Kilosa District Offices, Tanzania This study was made possible by financial support from Centre Technique de Cooperation Agricole et Rurale, Netherlands TABLE OF CONTENTS CREDITS 1.0 INTRODUCTION: 1.1. Rationale for the IT Diagnostic Study 1.2 Background to the LLL Process 1.3 The Information Technology (IT) Diagnostic Study and its Relevance to the LLL Process 1.4 Objectives of the IT Diagnostic Study 2.0 METHODOLOGY UTILIZED IN EAST AFRICA 2.1 Tanzania 2.2 Uganda 2.3 Kenya 3.0 REPORT FINDINGS 3.1 Objective 1: 3.1.1 Tanzania 3.1.1(a) Telecommunications 3.1.1 (b) Information Needs 3.1.1(c) Barriers to acquiring information 3.1.2 Uganda 3.1.2 (a) Telecommunications 3.1.2 (b) Information Needs 3.1.2 (c) Barriers to acquiring information 3.1.3 Kenya 3.1.3 (a) Telecommunications 3.1.3 (b) Information Needs 3.1.3 (c) Barriers to acquiring information 3.1.3 (d) Capacity to work with information and communication technologies (ICTs) I 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 3.2 Objective 2: 3.2.1 Results of LLL Stakeholder Surveys in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya 7 8 3.3 Objectives 3 and 4: 3.3.1 Communication Action Plans 3.3.2 Capitalizing on use of Email before the World Wide Web 3.3.3 Proposed Country-specific Communication Action Plan Step 1.0: LLL Communication Workshop Step1.1 Identifying information extension methods. Step 1.2 Identify LLL-IT Network management responsibilities. Step 1.3 General LLL stakeholder issues. Step 2.0 Enable electronic connectivity Step 3.0 Implement Village Adoption Pilots Step 4.0 Evaluate outputs of the LLL-IT Network 3.3.4 Budgets 3.3.5 Village-Adoption Pilot (VAP) Projects 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 4.0 CONCLUSION Appendix A: Terms of Reference for the IT Diagnostic Study Appendix B: Tabular Results Of The LLL It Questionnaire Surveys 14 15 16 Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - ii - 1.0 Introduction: 1.1. Rationale for the IT Diagnostic Study Use of the Internet to support innovation in agriculture extension has been a recurring topic in the European Donors‟ Neuchatel Initiative meetings since it started in 1995. Donor representatives and experts have struggled with how modern information and communication technology should be used to support innovation in extension. Indeed, in the CTA hosted meeting of June 1997, the group recommended that a website be set up to deal with extension. In 1998 the NI debated a proposal by the World Bank representative to establish an Internet clearing house for best practices in novel approaches to extension. However, it was not until the 1999 NI meeting in Uppsala that a concept note to establish such a service was presented by the International Support Group (ISG). While response to the concept ran from strongly supportive to highly sceptical, representatives agreed that more needed to be known about Internet use in Africa. Since the Uppsala NI meeting, CTA and ISG have been collaborating on ways to pursue Internet use in agricultural extension. CTA and ISG will be joining the Danish "Agricultural and Rural Development Advisers' Forum" in running an international workshop in which Internetbased learning in extension will be explored. ISG has joined LBL in an Internet site, "the Extension Bazaar", <>. to explore how the Internet could support innovation in extension. Discussions with potential Internet service users, from producer organizations, to district authorities, and service providers, indicate that for such a service to be effective, an understanding of how the Internet is currently being used and what prevents its wider use must first be gained. 1.2 Background to the LLL Process The Linked Local Learning (LLL) process emerges as a response to helping farmers, NGOs, government ministries, departments and donors deal with the massive changes being imposed on the district and village levels of their society through policies of decentralization. LLL‟s aim is to assist changing roles and responsibilities of actors involved agricultural support services, and to continue to develop the capacities of farmers. This emphasis on capacity building is based upon linking local experiences by following a common learning framework. LLL is intended to improve not only the way local people work together, but also in how they assess the impact of their work both on their partnerships with service providers and on the natural environment. This enhanced capacity sets the stage for building effective demand by farmers on government research and extension services, identifying policies that work, and improving the management of natural resources. It also sets the stage for handing over new responsibilities to local actors for every stage of the project cycle, from design through to evaluation. LLL starts with the establishment of local inter-institutional learning groups comprised of representatives from community or farmer-based organizations, NGO‟s, government research and extension agencies. Rather than creating special project „organizations‟ LLL works with existing, community-based organizations, however informal they may be. Wherever possible, linkages with the private sector and local government representatives are pursued. LLL works through following a common learning framework designed to improve not only the way local people work together, but also in how they assess the impact of their work both on their partnerships with service providers and on the natural environment. Inserting a structured learning space into the on-going work of inter-institutional „learning‟ groups, ensures that the benefits of greater collaborative efforts will extend far beyond a project. Indeed, the community development processes that encompass LLL should prove beneficial to all development initiatives being undertaken in the places where the LLL approach is being implemented. 1.3 The Information Technology (IT) Diagnostic Study and its Relevance to the LLL Process Implicit in the objective of strengthening the linkages among the different levels of actors involved in the LLL approach is the concept of enhanced communication processes. Like so many other development initiatives currently operating in developing countries, LLL has recognized the role that new information and communication technologies (ICTs) can have in such communication processes. ICTs include everything from radios to telephones, from fax machines to computers, and from electronic mail (email) to the world wide web (WWW). Throughout the world, ICTs are demonstrating significant impacts by enabling development partners to share information and knowledge in much more effective and efficient means than ever before. Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. -1 - 1.4 Objectives of the IT Diagnostic Study In its efforts to deliver a more effective communication network to the farmer, district and national levels, International Support Group (ISG) of the Netherlands, on behalf of the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA), commissioned TeleCommons Development Group (TDG) of Canada to examine the potential which exists for integrating ICTs into existing communication systems in the three LLL pilot countries of Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. The Terms of Reference for the IT Diagnostic Study are found in Appendix A of this report. The objectives of the study were as follows: i) To understand the constraints and opportunities faced by potential clients at local, district and national levels in accessing and using information made available through the Internet. ii) To assess client skills and capacity for using the Internet and developing material for the web. iii) To identify with Internet service providers (ISPs) how to move ahead with the provision of Internet access. iv) To identify appropriate opportunities to integrate the Internet with other local media and extension services. 2.0 Methodology Utilized in East Africa Identifying Information Needs at Kilosa District Workshop 2.1 Tanzania A total of nine meetings were held with key players in Tanzania‟s telecom sector to understand the potential telecom services which could present themselves to the people of Morogoro region and Kilosa District, in particular. Eleven members of the National Working Group met with the consultants to discuss LLL activities to date, and to discuss the strengths and opportunities which exist for enhanced information and communication exchange at the national, district, division and village levels. Meetings were also held in Kilosa town on August 3 and 4, 2000, including a ½ day participatory workshop involving stakeholders working within the Kilosa District offices; one representative each from a local NGO and the Ilonga Research Institute; and one representative from each of the pilot villages involved in LLL to date, Vidunda, Kisanga and Misimba. The workshop was used to discuss the LLL process and the role that information technology could play within it. Participants identified the means of communication – both electronic and non-electronic -- which were presently being used to enable communication between village and district levels, and between district and national levels; identified their Information Needs, or that information which they required in order to deliver more effective results in their respective activities; identified the barriers which existed to prevent them from acquiring that information; and created Communication Action Plans which identified how communication among the various levels of LLL stakeholders could be enhanced in the future, and who would be responsible for the various tasks contained within each. Preparing Communication Action Plans at Soroti District Workshop 2.2 Uganda A total of five meetings were held with representatives of Uganda‟s private and public sectors that are involved in natural resource management initiatives. As the LLL process is less developed in Uganda the meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the LLL approach. In all of these meetings, private and public sector newcomers to the approach greeted the concept of LLL with interest, and many indicated their willingness to be involved in future workshops and meetings built around the LLL approach. A total of eight meetings were held with key players in Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. -2 - Uganda‟s telecom sector to understand the potential telecom services which could be utilized to enhance the communication linkages among LLL stakeholder groups in Soroti District. The meetings included both Mobile Cellular companies; the national fixed line operator, Uganda Telecommunications Ltd. (UTL); and three Internet service providers (ISPs). One ½ day participatory workshop involving 12 interested stakeholders from the district (LC5), sub-county (LC3) and village levels (LC1) offices stakeholders was held in Soroti town. The workshop was used to discuss the LLL process, its importance in the context of the Ugandan government‟s policy of decentralization, and the role that information technology could play in enhancing the linkages among LLL stakeholders. Workshop participants identified the means of communication – both electronic and nonelectronic -- which were presently being used to enable communication between village and district levels, and between district and national levels; identified their Information Needs, or that information which they required in order to deliver more effective results in their respective activities; identified the barriers which existed to prevent them from acquiring that information; and created Communication Action Plans which identified how communication among the various levels of LLL stakeholders could be enhanced in the future, and who would be responsible for the various tasks contained within each. 2.3 Kenya A total of nine meetings were held with key players in Kenya‟s telecom sector to understand the potential telecom services which could present themselves to the people of Nyeri and Kisii Districts. Among those interviewed were representatives from the two mobile telephone companies; the state-owned telephone company; the Communications Commission of Kenya; and five Internet service providers (ISPs). Meetings were also held with three potential LLL information partners which could have a role in the generation of information content in the LLL-IT Network in the future. Twelve participants representing six Core Group member organizations met with the TDG consultant in Nairobi on Thursday August 24, 2000 for a day-long, participatory workshop to assess the information and communication technological options for the LLL approach in Kenya. Presenting Communication Action Plans at Nairobi Workshop The workshop was used to review the involvement of participating organizations in LLL since the 1998 Nyeri workshop, which was funded by Danida and facilitated by ISG; to discuss the importance of the LLL process in the context of Kenya‟s slowly changing policy of decentralization; and to identify the role that information technology could play in enhancing linkages among LLL stakeholders. Workshop participants identified the means of communication – both electronic and non-electronic -- which were presently being used to enable communication between village and district levels, and between district and national levels; identified their Information Needs, or that information which they required in order to deliver more effective results in their respective activities; identified the barriers which existed to prevent them from acquiring that information; and created Communication Action Plans which identified how communication among the various levels of LLL stakeholders could be enhanced in the future, and who would be responsible for the various tasks contained within each. Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. -3 - 3.0 Report Findings 3.1 Objective 1: To understand the constraints and opportunities faced by potential clients at local, district and national levels in accessing and using information made available through the Internet and accessing the Internet for communication purposes; 3.1.1 Tanzania 3.1.1(a) Telecommunications The advancement of technology that has extended to rural regions of Tanzania is rapidly advancing towards Kilosa District. It is expected that within the next six to 12 months, at least one national Internet service provider (ISP) will have a point of presence (POP) in Morogoro town, thus enabling users from Kilosa District to have access to email and the world wide web for the cost of a local telephone call (currently Tzsh. 17 per minute). This will be a welcome change to the present scenario, which requires callers (at the moment there is just one user at the district level) to pay STD (long distance) charges from Kilosa to Dar es Salaam to connect with one of the ISPs there (currently Tzsh. 300 per minute). Moreover, telephone network expansion should see more improvements on the way for Kilosa District. Wireless local loop (WLL) technology has made a tremendous impact on Kilosa District staff members in the past two months, enabling them to send and receive fax transmissions, as well as dial to Dar es Salaam to connect to the Internet. All of the major telephone carriers, both fixed and mobile telephone companies, have indicated that national expansion is coming fast. The extent to which telephone service is improved in Kilosa District remains to be seen, and is dependant on mobile operator‟s willingness to extend their network footprints to areas beyond Morogoro town. All indications are that service will continue to be improved in the coming months. This report reflects the optimism of the telecom and ISP companies and thus approaches the concept of developing a LLL-IT Network on the basis that there will be at least one new ISP to deliver local email and Internet connectivity to Morogoro Region. Based on the aforementioned evidence, there appears to be little risk in this assumption. 3.1.1 (b) Information Needs Tanzanian stakeholders identified the following four key Information Needs at the Kilosa workshop:  Planning and Management (i.e. weather, soils, agricultural production reports);  Social Information Needs (i.e. specific to individual communities such as needs assessments, problems and constraints of farmers, etc.);  Economic Information Needs (i.e. crop and market prices; inputs, etc)  Technological Information Needs (i.e. new technologies, practices, research); and  Environmental Information Needs (i.e. weather, disease, etc). 3.1.1(c) Barriers to acquiring information Tanzanian stakeholders identified the following four key barriers to their acquisition of information:  Knowledge on advanced technologies;  General skills and knowledge;  Social behavior;  Poor communication; and  Infrastructure. 3.1.1 (d) Capacity to work with information and communication technologies (ICTs) Over 81% of the district level LLL stakeholders in Kilosa reported having a telephone in their office, while the number reportedly having cellular telephones was low at the district level (11%) and average for those at the national level (62.5%) just over 54% of respondents reported having mobile telephones for personal and/or professional use. The presence of fax machines in offices was much less prevalent at the district (33%) than the national levels (62.5%). Tanzanian LLL stakeholders reported the highest percentage of computers (89.9% for the district and 87.5% at the national level) of all three LLL countries, and also reported the highest percentage of stakeholders who had computer training (77.8% and 87.5% at the district and national levels, respectively). Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. -4 - Only 25% of the district respondents reported having email and WWW connectivity, while all of the national level stakeholders surveyed reported having email connectivity in their office, and 86% reported having WWW connectivity in their office. Nearly 56% of respondents reported having used email at the district level, compared to 33% who had used the WWW; the figures for the national level were much higher, with 87.5% reporting email use, and 75% reporting WWW use. Based on the outputs of the survey with LLL stakeholders at the district and national levels, it is recommended that a comprehensive, “Training the Trainer” programme for computer and email use be implemented to ensure that those participating in the LLL-IT Network can do so efficiently and effectively. 3.1.2 Uganda 3.1.2 (a) Telecommunications The telecom market in Uganda, like that of its neighbor, Tanzania, is rapidly expanding, with competition resulting in state of the art services at cheaper rates every day. The country‟s recently privatized national operator, Uganda Telecommunications Ltd. (UTL), is in the process of being taken over by new ownership. By all indications, UTL‟s new management has plans to radically change the way that the company operates, building on its established copper-line base and providing mobile cellular, Internet and fixed line services throughout the country. Two cellular operators are competing for business in Uganda, MTN and CelTel. MTN owns Uganda‟s second national operator‟s license and, based on the its subscription numbers compared to those of its long-established competitor, delivers superior service, reliability and network deployment. CelTel is Uganda‟s first cellular company, and as a result of the competition which has driven down user rates and fees, has been faced with a major public relations challenge since the emergence of MTN one year ago. In addition to the existing services, a new rural telecommunications network, Wanachinet, is in the planning stages, and aims for a launch sometime in 2001; it expects to provide service to approximately 3 million users who do not currently have telephone connectivity. Approximately 15 ISPs are operating in Uganda at the moment, although there really appears to be only two real choices between Infocom and Africa Online. Uganda Online (UOL) bills itself as an Internet service solutions provider (ISSP), and has for years been a major Internet backstopping support organization for development projects throughout East Africa. UOL should be viewed as a potential partner for LLL to work with in any future developments of the Linked Local Learning – Information Technology (LL-IT) Network. Wireless Internet connections deliver high speed transmissions within Kampala City, and these services are slowly beginning to spread to other areas of the country as companies serve to meet the demands of their private sector clients. Email rates range from approximately US$20 per month, and full Internet accounts average approximately US$50 per month. A major drawback with Ugandan Internet connectivity at the present time is the fact that none of the ISPs operating in Uganda have any points of presence (POPs) outside of Kampala. For those living outside of the capital city, this poses a serious issue for Internet users, since it requires that one make a long distance call from their particular area to Kampala in order to obtain access. While many rural areas in Tanzania, for example, are able to make a local call to connect to the Internet, Ugandan users are faced with higher user costs due to long distance charges. For areas outside of regions with cellular or fixed line telephony, Bushnet and Wilken Afsat offer HF Radio services via microwave signals which deliver voice and data transmissions, albeit for a much higher cost than using traditional fixed line and wireless technologies. 3.1.2 (b) Information Needs Ugandan stakeholders identified the following four key Information Needs at the Soroti workshop:  Information related to Target Groups;  Information related to Historical information of development initiatives;  Information related to Trends in the various development sectors; and  Information related to project and programme Logistics. Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. -5 - 3.1.2 (c) Barriers to acquiring information Ugandan stakeholders identified the following four key barriers to their acquisition of information:  Lack of information (general);  Seasonal migration, which affects accuracy of information;  Long distances between the source of information and the destination;  Inefficiency of handling information;  Lack of support mechanisms (financial, infrastructure, etc);  Lack of accountability on the part of researchers; and  Negative attitudes. 3.1.2 (d) Capacity to work with information and communication technologies (ICTs) Over 81% of the district level LLL stakeholders in Soroti reported having a telephone in their office, while the number reportedly having cellular telephones was much lower at 54%. Only 9% of the Soroti stakeholders reported having a fax machine in their respective offices, while 54% of those without a fax machine reported having access to one in their community. Ugandan LLL stakeholders at the district level reported the lowest percentage of computers (45%) of all three LLL countries, but this is likely owing to the fact that the Soroti workshop had the most diverse group of rural-based participants of the three workshops held; many operated in rural areas where electricity and new technologies did not yet exist. Just as the number with computers was low, so too was the corresponding number of stakeholders (45%) who reported having received computer training in the past. Only 9% of the Soroti respondents with computers reported having email access in their offices; only 36% of all respondents reported having used email before, while only 9% reported the same for WWW use. Based on the outputs of the survey with LLL stakeholders at the district and national levels, it is recommended that a comprehensive, “Training the Trainer” programme for computer and email use be implemented to ensure that those participating in the LLL-IT Network can do so efficiently and effectively. 3.1.3 Kenya 3.1.3 (a) Telecommunications Kenya lags behind Tanzania and Uganda in the use of new technologies for communication purposes. While wireless connections are bringing high speed voice, data and video transmission links to other countries, Kenya‟s providers are having to make the most of leased line connections which offer lesser quality voice and data transmissions. The telecommunications sector is dominated by the monopolistic Telkom Kenya, although three new, international consortia will begin providing expanded telephone service to eight regions of the country (Nairobi area excluded) in the coming months. The terms of the awarded tenders require the companies to deploy a minimum of two payphones to every one of the 6,000 villages in Kenya within three years. The mobile telephone market in Kenya is rapidly changing, as a second operator, KenCel, has just begun operations in competition with the original mobile phone operator, Safaricom. KenCel offers rates as much as 78% lower than Safaricom, and connection rates that are less than half of what the competition was offering. Both companies are expected to combine for a total of 1.2 million lines in the next five years, much of that entering the rural markets. Forty-one ISPs are licensed in Kenya at the moment, and competition is making it a consumers‟ market as companies attempt to outdo one another in their pursuit of clients. Two ISPs, Africa Online and Form-Net, are currently the only ones to offer local dial-up POPs in Nyeri, and at least one other ISP, NairobiNet, intends to be there within the next six months. Africa Online‟s service, however, is currently restricted to email until it is able to secure a leased line connection from Telkom Kenya. There appear to be no local dial-up service providers in Kisii. Local dial-up for email or Internet access is crucial, especially given that the cost of a long distance call in Kenya is 72 times the cost of a local call; these prices are set to increase again in the very near future. 3.1.3 (b) Information Needs Above all of the categories which were identified at the Nairobi workshop, the participants agreed that an overarching need was Education, in that people required an education to be able to be productive in the work that they did. Following this, the participants identified the following six Information Needs:  Leadership (i.e. sources of, skills and education);  Disadvantaged/marginalized groups with special needs;  Marketing (i.e. strategies, products, etc.);  Extension (i.e farming techniques, crops and pests); Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. -6 -   Technology (i.e. processing, technological, sources of); and Funding (i.e. sources of; resources). 3.1.3 (c) Barriers to acquiring information Kenyan stakeholders identified the following three key barriers to their acquisition of information:  Poor infrastructure;  Lack of awareness; and  Distance from the source of information. 3.1.3 (d) Capacity to work with information and communication technologies (ICTs) 50% of the LLL stakeholders at the Nairobi workshop reported having a telephone in their office, while none reported having a cellular telephone. Over 41% of the stakeholders reported having a fax machine in their respective offices, while less than 29% of those without a fax machine reported having access to one in their community. 50% of Kenyan LLL stakeholders reported the lowest percentage of computers (45%) of all three LLL countries, but this is likely owing to the fact that the Nairobi workshop had the most diverse group of ruralbased participants of the three workshops held; many operated in rural areas where electricity and new technologies did not yet exist. Just as the number with computers was low, so too was the corresponding number of stakeholders (45%) who reported having received computer training in the past. Only 9% of the Nairobi respondents with computers reported having email access in their offices; only 36% of all respondents reported having used email before, while only 9% reported the same for WWW use. Based on the outputs of the survey with LLL stakeholders at the district and national levels, it is recommended that a comprehensive, “Training the Trainer” programme for computer and email use be implemented to ensure that those participating in the LLL-IT Network can do so efficiently and effectively. 3.2 Objective 2: To assess client skills and capacity for using the Internet and developing material for the web Complete qualitative and quantitative results of the LLL Stakeholder surveys are contained in each of the respective country reports; complete tabular results of the survey questionnaires are found in Appendix B of this report. It should be noted that the questionnaires were distributed only to those LLL stakeholder representatives who were in attendance at the LLL IT Diagnostic Workshops, and as such there is no attempt to extrapolate the findings of the surveys to the larger population in East Africa. For the purposes of this report, the survey results identify only the information and communication technology (ICT) environments that the survey respondents – the LLL stakeholder representatives -- are operating in. Note that in certain cases, the total number of respondents for specific questions does not always equate with the total number of responses, due to the fact that respondents occasionally failed to identify an answer. A total of 40 LLL stakeholder representatives responded to the questionnaire surveys which were distributed at the four LLL workshops (two in Tanzania, one each in Uganda and Kenya). The majority of participants (80%) were male, and the largest age cohort was that of the 31-40 age group (40%), followed by the second largest age cohort, the 41-50 age group (30%). Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. -7 - 3.2.1 Results of LLL Stakeholder Surveys in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya As the following two graphs illustrate, the majority of LLL stakeholder respondents in all three countries reported having access to a telephone in their office (see also Chart 2 in Appendix B), while connectivity to mobile telephones was not as prevalent. Stakeholders at the national level in Tanzania and the district level in Uganda were the largest stakeholder groups owning and operating mobile cellular telephones (see also Chart 4 in Appendix B). At the time of the report, mobile cellular infrastructure had yet to become available for those in Kilosa District in Tanzania and Kisii and Nyeri Districts in Kenya. Availability of telephones 120 100 Percentage 80 60 40 20 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Locations - Respondents with telephone: - Respondents without - Respondents who share a telephone (Uganda) (Kenya) Percentage of mobile phones 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) (Uganda) (Kenya) Percentage Locations Respondents with mobile phone Respondents without Excluding the national level stakeholders in Tanzania, fax machines are not prevalent in LLL stakeholders‟ organizations in the more rural areas of Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya (see Chart 5 in Appendix B). While fax machines were generally not available for use in their offices, at least 50% of the stakeholders interviewed in Tanzania and Uganda reported that they had access to a fax machine in their communities; Kenya stakeholders reported an extremely low (29%) availability of fax services in their communities. Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. -8 - As the following table illustrates, at least 50% of the LLL stakeholders -- with the exception of stakeholders in Soroti, Uganda -- reported having computers in their offices; of that same group, more than 50% indicated that they shared a computer with other people. One reason for Ugandan stakeholders‟ lower presence of computers than their counterparts in Tanzania and Kenya may be owing to the fact that a large number of the representatives who attended the Soroti workshop were from rural areas outside of Soroti town. Consequently, the presence of computers in rural areas where electricity is not always guaranteed will be much less than those stakeholders working in major towns such as Kilosa, Nyeri and even Soroti town, itself. Presence of computers 100 90 80 70 Percentage 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Locations (Uganda) (Kenya) Number of respondents with computers in their offices Number of those who share their computer with another Of those respondents who reported having computers available in their organizations, the majority reported not having any local area networks (LANs) connecting their computers, meaning that there is a great deal of independence not only in terms of the use of computers but also in the storage of information (see Charts 7, 8 and 9 in Appendix B). The level of email connectivity among LLL stakeholders in the rural regions of Kilosa, Soroti, Nyeri and Kisii is predictably much lower than the connectivity levels among national-level stakeholders in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; the frequency of WWW connectivity is even lower still (see Charts10, 12 and 13 in Appendix B). As a result of this situation, a strong emphasis on the capacity building and training will be required for LLL stakeholders at all levels in all of the participating countries to be engaged in their respective LLL-IT Networks. Respondents having received computer training 58.33% 77.8% 45.45% 87.5% (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) (Uganda) (Kenya) As illustrated in the preceding diagram, a large percentage of respondents reported having undergone some form of computer training in the past. However, it must be emphasized that respondents‟ definitions of what can be classified as “computer training” differ from one person to another, and thus the figures related to this component must be interpreted carefully. The proposed LLL-IT Network work plans for Tanzania, Kenya and, at a later stage, Uganda, recommend comprehensive computer training programmes for designated LLL stakeholder representatives, complemented with a “Training the Trainer” programme to share the knowledge and skills with others who do not have the same levels of competency with computers and computer applications. The training programme would focus on word processing, spreadsheet programmes and email operations; this latter component will be necessary given that 50% of the respondent groups indicated a low Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. -9 - ability to access email within their offices. Since email is to be one of the main electronic ICTs in use for the LLL-IT Network, it is vital that all stakeholders who are expected to use the technology can do so. The following table illustrates that while over 80% of stakeholders at the national level in Tanzania indicated that they had previously used email, the percentage of stakeholder representatives in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya ranged from 36% (Uganda) to 58% (Kenya). This is another indicator to suggest that training for computer and email use will be essential for the success and sustainability of the Linked Local LearningInformation Technology (LLL-IT) Network in East Africa. E-mail 120 100 80 Percentage 60 40 20 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Locations Respondents with computers, equipped with email Respondents who have used email before (Uganda) (Kenya) 3.3 Objectives 3 and 4: To identify with Internet service providers (ISPs) how to move ahead with the provision of Internet access; and to identify appropriate opportunities to integrate the Internet with other local media and extension services. 3.3.1 Communication Action Plans Communication Action Plans were developed to support the immediate deployment of Linked Local Learning – Information Technology (LLL-IT) Networks in both Tanzania and Kenya. From the perspective of electronic media, the recommended LLL-IT Networks are initially to consist of telephone, fax and email connectivity so as to initiate the culture of information and knowledge sharing among the LLL stakeholders. These applications can be relatively easily integrated into the organizations at costs that do not require continued financial support from external sources. The total budget for LLL-IT Network infrastructure and training is US$ 67,259.00 for Tanzania, US$ 45,320 for Kenya and approximately US$ 55,000 for Ugandan (based on currency exchange rates & estimated service costs of August 2000). Budgets do not include additional involvement of consultants, nor the cost of the Village-Adoption Pilots, which are estimated at approximately US$ 7,000 per village. 3.3.2 Capitalizing on use of Email before the World Wide Web LLL-IT Networks will first focus on enabling greater communication among stakeholders through the use of telephone, fax and email connectivity. Once networks have established or enhanced the communication network channels which exist among LLL stakeholders, the project proponents will then assess the implications of adding the world wide web capacity to the network. The three technologies of email, fax and telephone, deployed at the national and district levels, provide a range of communication options among stakeholders which have yet to exist elsewhere in the country. Email, rather than the WWW, is recommended as the means of electronic communication between the national and district levels because: a) Email is affordable. For about US$20 per month, all stakeholders can be provided with a means of exchanging messages, information, and attached documents. The cost of transmitting multiple information messages is less than the cost of one single voice telephony transmission. The costs associated with using email are much less than that associated with online browsing of the Internet. Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 10 - b) Email is appropriate and effective. Email will in many cases be used to enable stakeholders to establish communication where no efficient means currently exists. The purpose of the LLL-IT network is to share information not only with established LLL stakeholders, but also with groups that have an interest in the activities and initiatives of LLL stakeholders. The first challenge, then, is to create and nurture an information sharing culture. Throughout the world, email is THE most popular Internet application in use today. Given this scenario, email, along with telephone and fax, appears to be the most appropriate and most effective means of facilitating the exchange of information. In the case of Tanzania, it is recommended that a local area network (LAN) be established at the Kilosa District offices to enable a greater sharing of information among the key departments involved in LLL. In the cases of both Kenya and Tanzania, the proponents are recommended to look ahead to the possibility of upgrading the LLL-IT Network to a web-based system at such time when local connectivity costs are manageable and can be sustained by all of the stakeholder groups. Details on these particular recommendations can be found in the individual country reports. Proposed Country-specific Communication Action Plan 4 1 3 2 1 LLL moves closer to achieving its objective of assisting the changing roles and responsibilities of actors involved with agricultural support services and to continue to develop the capacities of farmers Steps in the Communication Action Plan Process: 1. Communication Planning Workshop 2. Enable electronic connectivity among LLL stakeholders 3. Implement Village-Adoption Pilots 4. Evaluate the LLL-IT Network 3.3.3 Proposed Country-specific Communication Action Plan Step 1.0: LLL Communication Workshop It is recommended that individual, two-day Communication Workshops be held in each of the three LLL countries. These workshops would enable stakeholders to collectively identify a plan with which they can use to take advantage of the new communication link that will be implemented in their organizations. Among the many approaches of the Communication Workshop are: Step1.1 Identifying information extension methods to enhance farmer to district communication channels. Participants in the three LLL-IT workshops identified as many as 21 potential opportunities to extend the exchange of information and communication with the farmers at the village level, of which the use of radio, newsletters, theatre performances and physical meetings were included. It is recommended that the LLL stakeholders re-visit these plans prior to the implementation of the proposed LLL-IT Networks and identify exactly how they wish to merge the new communication technologies with existing communication channels. If this is done properly, this activity could enable LLL Core Group members and their stakeholders to design a more complete communication network that enables information to reach the farmers more efficiently than before. Furthermore, it will provide the stakeholders the opportunity to reassess their information needs which were first identified in the IT Diagnostic Workshops in August 2000. The workshop will thus enable stakeholders to identify the information that they seek to acquire and share with one another; identify the present sources of this information; and the means in which such information can be disseminated; Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 11 - Step 1.2 Identify LLL-IT Network management responsibilities. From a management side, each of the three national workshops can be used to identify which of the Working Group and Core Group members are interested in taking the responsibility of managing the new LLL information network, in terms of coordinating information dissemination to other members. Possible dissemination means that could be incorporated into the new LLL-IT Network include a monthly electronic newsletter; discussion groups on particular topics of interest; question and answer lists, etc. Identifying the potential linkages with those information content providers who met with the consultants in August 2000, too, can be examined at the workshop; and Step 1.3 General LLL stakeholder issues. The communication planning aspect of the workshop should also be tied in with a general meeting for LLL stakeholders. Participants can use the meeting to discuss the activities and initiatives which they have been involved with in the past that they believe other LLL stakeholders could learn from; to discuss issues impacting the LLL stakeholders at the present time; and to identify plans of action to deal with relevant issues more constructively as a group. Should the organizers of the workshops agree to include the time for general LLL issues, it is recommended that they should plan to have LLL stakeholders stay beyond the recommended two day duration of the Communication Planning Workshop so as to meet all objectives. If the LLL-IT Network implementation is organized well enough, the workshop could also serve as the kick-off for computer training for those representatives participating in it. Note: While it is recommended that the Communication Workshop be co-facilitated by experienced consultants who are able to focus participants on the channels of communication utilized in their work, the decision for personnel is left to the project proponents. Consequently, no external consulting time is quoted for the workshop activities. Step 2.0 Enable electronic connectivity among LLL stakeholders at national and district levels, and implement computer training programmes The extent of connectivity recommended for the three LLL countries varies, especially when comparing the proposed LLL-IT Networks in Tanzania and Kenya with the recommendation for no immediate connectivity in Uganda. However, the plans for each of the countries beyond the Communication Network follow a pattern of providing telephone, fax and email connectivity. The provision of this infrastructure is complemented with a comprehensive Training the Trainer programme, whereby a select number of LLL stakeholder representatives are initially brought together for comprehensive training. Following this initial training session, the individuals would return to their respective organizations and begin transferring their newly acquired knowledge not only to their colleagues within their respective organizations, but to community members, as well. The proposed LLL-IT Network for Kenya appears below as an example of the overall communication network concept which is recommended by this report National Level LLL-IT Network uses email, fax and telephone Local Internet Service Provider District Level Use of existing means of communication Village Level Village Adoption Pilot using HF radio link Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 12 - Step 3.0 Implement Village-Adoption Pilot (VAP) projects at selected division and district levels This report recommends that the LLL proponents look beyond an IT Network focused only on those areas which currently have electronic connectivity, and extend the reach of information and communication so that the farmers and villagers also benefit from the investment in communications infrastructure. LLL stakeholder representatives in the three countries identified nearly two dozen means currently used to share information with those at the village level, and there is potential for these means to be integrated with the new ICTs proposed above. However, there is little in the way of direct impact that email or fax at the District level will be able to make to those farmers in the villages, aside from faster delivery of information to and from intermediary organizations. That being said, the Village Adoption Pilot (VAP) proposal is included as a means of extending voice-only HF Radio contact between those at the village levels and those in the next administrative level. What is proposed is a network which links one of the district or division headquarters with three villages in the pilot district. For approximately US$ 22,000 per pilot district, three villages and a network hub can be provided with radios, solar power energy sources and all other necessary support equipment and training. Detailed plans for VAP projects in Tanzania and Kenya are found in their respective reports. Step 4.0 Evaluate outputs of the LLL-IT Network, and assess potential for expanding the network with web-based database system, and/or adding more districts, divisions and villages It is recommended that future modifications to the proposed LLL-IT Networks in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda be made following the completion of mid-term and final evaluations. The individual Networks should be coordinated in such a way so that changes can be made where necessary, and that the stakeholders can build on the lessons learned and channel that knowledge back into a more effective and efficient information network. It is recommended that the evaluations should allow for a sufficient amount of time for each network to become operational and the stakeholders to become familiar with the operations and utilization of the network prior to assessing their effectiveness, efficiency and impacts. 3.3.4 Budgets The total budget for LLL-IT Network infrastructure and training is US$ 67,259.00 for Tanzania, and US$ 45,320 for Kenya. Despite the fact that a Communication Action Plan is not recommended in Uganda until the LLL approach can be strengthened, it is recommended that the LLL proponents budget an amount that is equivalent to the average cost for the LLL-IT Networks in Tanzania and Kenya for a future network in Uganda. Thus, it is recommended that approximately US$ 55,000 be budgeted for future Ugandan LLL-IT Network initiatives, beginning with a Communication Planning Workshop. Note that these costs are based on currency exchange rates and estimated service costs as of August 2000. Moreover, it must be emphasized that these totals do not include additional involvement of external consultants, nor of in-kind contributions from LLL stakeholder organizations in such components as the “Training the Trainer” programmes. The Network totals do not include the cost of the Village-Adoption Pilot (VAP) projects, which are estimated at approximately US$ 21,500 per pilot district. 3.3.5 Village-Adoption Pilot (VAP) Projects Village-Adoption Pilot (VAP) Projects are recommended for deployment in both Tanzania and Kenya; detailed descriptions of these VAPs are contained in the respective country reports which follow this Executive Summary. The VAPs provide an electronic, voice-only linkage between the targeted stakeholders of the LLL process -- the village-level farmers -- with LLL stakeholders at the division, district and national levels using HF Radio systems. While the LLL-IT Networks do provide electronic connectivity to link together stakeholders at the national, district, and, in the case of Tanzania, the division levels, telecommunication infrastructure limitations mean that villages are excluded from the electronic networks. Thus, the VAPs are proposed as one means of overcoming the gaps which exist between the villages and the division and district levels for the short term; it is expected that expanding telecommunication coverage in all three East African countries will mean that there are telecommunication services such as pay telephones and mobile cellular telephones at the village levels within the next three years. Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 13 - The estimated infrastructure and training costs for each individual VAP initiative, each involving one district or division “hub” and three pilot villages, is approximately US$ 21,480. As previously mentioned, these cost estimates include neither those costs associated with the involvement of external consultants, nor of in-kind contributions from LLL stakeholder organizations in such components as the “Training the Trainer” programmes. It is strongly recommended that both of these costs be factored in by the proponents in order to ensure the efficient deployment of the LLL-IT Network work plans. 5.0 Conclusion It was apparent in all three of the East African countries visited for this study that there is a strong willingness on the part of stakeholders at the national and district levels to integrate the LLL approach with their organizations‟ work. However, there was a large difference between the capacity and readiness of LLL stakeholders in Kenya and Tanzania compared to their Ugandan counterparts. This appears due to the fact that in Tanzania and Kenya, external funds have enabled solid efforts to be made to bring potential stakeholders together and develop the LLL approach. This has not been the case in Uganda, however. Consequently, the absence of any ISG-facilitated workshops in Uganda, such as those that have been undertaken in Kenya and Tanzania, has left many interested stakeholders without sufficient skills to develop an LLL approach. With no organized LLL group in Uganda, the task of identifying key LLL stakeholders who would serve as nodes in the proposed LLL-IT Network was virtually impossible. For this reason, the implementation of a Ugandan LLL-IT Network should be delayed until more LLL groundwork can be done. That being said, the telecommunications environment in all three countries is optimal for the kind of work envisioned here. Internet Service Providers and telecommunication operators, both mobile and fixed line, are very quickly putting rural communities into contact with one another as never before. Moreover, the future of the LLL pilot areas in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda looks extremely positive in terms of receiving enhanced telecommunications infrastructure in the next two to three years. The immediate actions recommended here are communication planning workshops to sensitize the LLL stakeholders on the importance of utilizing the many different forms of communication media – both electronic and non-electronic – available to them. This is an important step to ensure that LLL stakeholders understand the concepts behind the LLL-IT Network. It is also important, not only for them to champion the use of these new technologies, but also to integrate these new technologies with the more established technology currently being used throughout the region. Establishing an effective LLL-IT Network on any scale requires more than simply providing stakeholders with a fax machine, a telephone, a computer, or an email account. It requires commitment and a sense of ownership on the part of the stakeholders. Ownership ensures that the LLL-IT Network meets their needs and encourages not only information acquisition but also information input from the users. The way ISG has facilitated innovation in LLL has fostered such ownership. Given that what is proposed is the establishment of an information network, it can not be emphasized enough that the value of such a network extends well beyond the initial focus of enhancing agricultural support services for sustainable natural resource management. Once interested LLL stakeholders have freer access to information and knowledge, the opportunities that they can open for themselves and for their community members in all aspects of their lives is boundless.It is hoped that the proponents of the LLL process will continue to keep this in mind – both in terms of the LLL-IT Network and in terms of the larger LLL process -- as they move forward with future activities in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 14 - Appendix A: Terms of Reference for the IT Diagnostic Study (Based on the ISG project proposal to CTA) This study will explore how the internet is currently being used by stakeholders in agriculture support services at local, district and national levels and diagnose the constraints and opportunities they face in accessing and using information made available through the internet. In conducting the diagnosis an audit on the skills of stakeholders - the potential 'clients' of an internet service, will be made along with developing a comprehensive list of training needs. The diagnostic would include an analysis of the current connectivity and electronic-networking knowledge-base situation of the 'clients', documentation of their information and communication needs, potential obstacles to access and means for overcoming them, assessment of key "champions" who could lead initiatives in each country, training needs assessments, and a plan for moving forward. It will explore with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and others how some of these constraints might be addressed. The internet use and diagnostic study would also include analysis of potential for marrying internet services with other local communication facilities including telephones, radio, print media and existing extension mechanisms. While this study covers East Africa (Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya) it is envisaged that additional phases will focus on West and Central Africa. The study will utilize the networks supported by ISG in these countries to ensure accurate representation of the various stakeholder groups at each level. Objectives i) To understand the constraints and opportunities faced by potential 'clients' at local, district and national levels in accessing and using information made available through the internet and accessing the internet for communication purposes; ii) To assess 'client' skills and capacity for using internet and developing material for the web; iii) To identify with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) how to move ahead with internet access; and iv) To identify appropriate opportunities to integrate the internet with other local media and extension services. Methodology The methodology for the Internet Use and Diagnostic Study will include one-on-one meetings with stakeholders in the provision of agricultural support services who are expected to be users or 'clients' of the electronic tools, together with focusgroup sessions in each country. The Internet Use and Diagnostic Study will consist of the following components:  an analysis of the current connectivity and electronic networking knowledge-base experiences of potential 'clients';  documentation of clients' information and communication needs;  perceived obstacles to clients‟ acquisition of internet access, and the potential means for overcoming t hem;  the identification of key "champions" who might lead related initiatives in each country;  an analysis of clients‟ computer and internet training needs ; and  a proposed Action Plan with which to move forward in each of the three participating countries. The Internet Use and Diagnostic Study will include interviews with representatives of local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and computer service operations to identify how some of these constraints to internet access might be addressed. The Study will also examine the potential for integrating internet services with other local communication services such as telephones, radio, print media and other existing extension mechanisms. The Study will focus on three East African countries: Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. One international consultant will visit each country for a 6 day diagnostic field visit; this person will collaborate with one local consultant in each of the countries, to be drawn from the networks in these countries supported by ISG. Each local consultant will be contracted for seven working days. The Study will utilize the networks supported by ISG to ensure that an adequate sample of the various stakeholder groups is involved in the provision of agricultural services. Th e study will be conducted within the period June through August 2000. Over this period the Study will complete a preparatory phase; a field work phase in each of the three countries; and a report writing phase. Preparation phase Develop analytical framework for the diagnosis Identify local consultants in each country Develop terms of reference for local consultants Field work phase Conduct interviews with key informants from potential client groups and Internet Service Providers. Conduct focus group sessions of potential client groups Report writing phase Prepare country assessments for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania Prepare East Africa cross-country assessment report Prepare project report and financial report Outputs This internet use and diagnostic study will deliver the following outputs: i) Three country assessment reports ii) Multi-national synthesis report of country assessments iii) Training needs assessment for Internet access and use of electronic communication tools, including potential integration with existing local media. Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 15 - Appendix B: Tabular Results Of The LLL It Questionnaire Surveys Chart 1: Availability of Telephones Availability of telephones 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Locations - Respondents with telephone: - Respondents without - Respondents who share a telephone (Uganda) (Kenya) Chart 2: Average Number of Lines and Phones Average number of lines and phones per respondent 6.00 Percentage 5.00 4.00 Number 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Locations Average number of lines/respondent Average number of telephones per respondent (Uganda) (Kenya) Chart 3: Percentage of Mobile Phones Percentage of mobile phones 100 90 80 70 Percentage 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) (Uganda) (Kenya) Locations Respondents with mobile phone Respondents without Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 16 - Chart 4: Main Reasons for Using Mobile Phones Main reasons for using mobile phones 120 100 80 Percentage 60 40 20 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Locations Mobile phone use for business purposes Mobile phone use for personal purposes (Uganda) Chart 5: Presence of Fax Machines Presence of fax machines 120 100 Percentage 80 60 40 20 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Location (Uganda) (Kenya) Have fax machine in office Fax line is shared No fax machine in office, but access in the community Chart 6: Presence of Computers Presence of computers 100 90 80 70 Percentage 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Locations Number of respondents with computers in their offices Number of those who share their computer with another (Uganda) (Kenya) Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 17 - Chart 7: Number of Computers Number of computers 50 45 40 35 30 Number 25 20 15 10 5 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Location Number of lap top computers Number of desktop computers (Uganda) (Kenya) Chart 8: Laptops, Modems and Local Area Networks (LANs) Laptops, modems, and Local Area Networks (LANs) 16 14 12 10 Number 8 6 4 2 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Location Number of lap top computers Laptops with modems Laptops with Local Area Networks (LAN) (Uganda) (Kenya) Chart 9: Desktops, Modems and Local Area Networks (LANs) Desktop computers, modems, and Local Area Networks (LANs) 50 45 40 35 Number 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Locations Number of desktop computers Desktops with modems Desktops with Local Area Networks (LAN) (Uganda) (Kenya) Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 18 - Chart 10: Computers and Modems Computers and modems 30 25 20 Number 15 10 5 0 Locations Laptops with modems Desktops with modems Chart 11: Respondents Having Received Computer Training Respondents having received computer training 58.33% 77.8% 45.45% 87.5% (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) (Uganda) (Kenya) Chart 12: Email Use E-mail 120 100 80 Percentage 60 40 20 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Locations Respondents with computers, equipped with email Respondents who have used email before (Uganda) (Kenya) Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 19 - Chart 13: World Wide Web Use World Wide Web 90 80 70 Percentage 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) Locations Respondents with computers, equipped with WWW Respondents who have used WWW before (Uganda) (Kenya) Chart 14: Computer Software in Use Computer software in use 120 100 Percentage 80 60 40 20 0 Local language word proc. Word Processor Accounting Package Statistics Package Database management programme Location (Tanzania) National Working Group (Tanzania) (Uganda) (Kenya) Internet Use & Diagnostic Study – September 2000. - 20 - Project Management Spreadsheet Computer publishing GIS