[UgaBYTES] Use of ICT in Agriculture

[Kiringai Kamau]

Sandra,
The challenge has always been how you integrate ICT into agriculture. While
I have been involved in this for some time, I would be keen to know, how ICT
has been used by others in both large and small holder agriculture.

Does anyone have case studies we can use to provide solutions for a new
breed of telecentres?

Kiringai Kamau

-----Original Message-----
From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org
[mailto:ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Sandra Nassali
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 10:51 AM
To: ugabytes
Subject: [UgaBYTES] ICT and The 2009 /10 Financial Budget - Government
ofUganda

In her budget speech, the minister for Finance, Planning and Economic
Development, Syda Bumba said the thrust of the Financial Year 2009/10
Budget  (read full budget in new window) is therefore based on the
following policy initiatives:

i) Increasing agricultural productivity and production,

ii) Increasing agro-processing and value addition,

iii) Increasing investment in infrastructure and human resource
development to facilitate regional trade and economic growth.


Given the limited resources, Government must allocate its resources to
those priorities that will enable it to produce public goods that will
stimulate economic growth and development. In accordance with the 2006
Manifesto, the NRM Government will therefore increase investment in
infrastructure, scale up interventions in agriculture and ensure that
quality public services which are responsive to the needs of the
business community, including good governance and the development of
the human resource, are delivered.

The budget affected the ICT sector in 3 main ways:

1. Infrastructure
In the are of Information and Communication Technology the main
priority, in the financial year 2009/10, will be the completion of the
inter-connectivity of the entire country.  This project involves
laying of over 1500 km of optical fibre to link most major towns in
the country including Luwero, Nakasongola, Masindi, Hoima, Kyenjojo,
Fort Portal, Mbale, Tororo, Busia, Kumi, Soroti, Kaberamaido, Lira,
Apac and Gulu.  It will also provide connectivity to the national
backbone of Kenya for linkage to the East African sub-marine cable.
This will enhance the efficiency in transfer of information, and
consequently lower the cost of doing business.

2. Content development
To support the the development of film industry, import duty on film
equipment shall be remitted to 0 percent.  This will give incentives
to the filming industry and also create employment for the youth in
the region.

3. Environment
A ban is being imposed on old computers, freezers and refrigerators.
However a three month moratorium to enable goods in transit and in
bonded warehouses be cleared has been allowed.   "We owe protection of
our environment a duty and we cannot relax on this front. I seek your
understanding that together, we safeguard our environment or else we
shall pay an immense price in the future. The details are contained in
the Finance Amendment Bill." added the minister

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Sandra Nassali
Community Facilitator
UgaBYTES Initiative (www.ugabytes.org)
Telecentre.org  (www.telecentrecommunity.ning.com)
Plot 2218 Ggaba Road,
2nd Floor Kangave House
P.O. Box 6081 K'la
Email  snassali at ugabytes.org
chat    (skype)- n.sandra.
Tel      +256-414-370163

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