CARICOM
Justification for the sub-themes
and Caribbean Specific ICT
Indicators impacting
AGRICULTURE and FOOD and
NUTRITION SECURITY
CARICOM Workshop On The Development Of Caribbean Specific
Information And Communication
Technologies (CSICT) Statistics And Indicators
St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
6-9 December 2011
1
Content of Presentation
• Introduction
• Definition of the ICT Sector
• Initiatives impacting the production of
Agricultural Statistics
• Background to the Projects/ Initiatives and
Activities
• Development of CSICT Indicators
• Development of Sub-themes
• Definition of the phases in the Agricultural cycle
• Phases in the Agricultural Cycle
2
Content of Presentation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Food and Nutrition Security
Dimensions of Food Security
Development of the Sub-themes
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Tables
Sources of Information
Conclusions and Recommendations
3
Introduction
This presentation shows how the technologies and
products that process, transmit, and display
information electronically can contribute to food and
nutrition security in the region by:
production of CSICT Indicators can be used to measure
and monitor the impact of ICT in
– contributing to the achievement of the objectives and
implementation of the Regional Food and Nutrition
Security Policy
– realising the possible benefits to the private and public
sectors as well as households and communities
throughout the region.
4
Introduction
This presentation also shows how technologies and
products that process, transmit, and display
information electronically can contribute to food and
nutrition security in the region by:
ICT can:
– drive information and communication processes
necessary to enhance agricultural and rural
development and produce E-Agriculture
information.
– Assist in the conceptualization, design,
5
Introduction
All technologies and
products that
process, transmit,
and display
information
electronically
Impacting all phases
of the Agricultural
cycle leading to
increase availability
of quality food and
food products
To make food more
available, accessible,
affordable whilst
insuring food supply
remains stable.
Food and Nutrition
Security
6
Definition of the ICT Sector
“All technologies and products that process, transmit,
and display information electronically, including that
section of the content industry that is engaged in the
transformation of products for electronic distribution
(online or otherwise).
The definition includes the manufacture of ICT goods, the
delivery of ICT services, the trade in ICT goods, inclusive of
the retail trade in ICT goods (that is accompanied by
services incidental to the sale) and other incidental ICT
enabling activities”. (OECD and CARICOM)
7
Initiatives Impacting the Production of
Agricultural Statistics
– Regional Policy Formulation on Agricultural and
Rural Statistics– International Fund for
Development (IFAD) in partnership with the
Statistical Conference of the Americas (SCA).
– Promoting CARICOM/CARIFORUM Food Security
Phase 11 (the establishment of Early Warning
Systems) – an FAO Project
– CARICOM’s Regional Food & Nutrition Security
Policy, approved by the Council for Trade &
Economic Development (COTED) (Agriculture) in
October 2010.
8
Background to the Projects and
Activities
Regional Policy Formulation on Agricultural and
Rural Statistics
Objective
• To contribute to the improvement of agricultural and
rural statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean, to
make them useful and relevant for policy making.
Justification
• Monitor changes and modifications in production of
agricultural processes and its economic, social and
environmental implications in the rural areas.
9
Background to the Projects and Activities
Promoting CARICOM/CARIFORUM Food
Security Phase 11
Challenges Identified in ensuring Food Security
–small size,
–vulnerability to natural disasters
–a changing economic environment
characterised by:
»
a lack of international competitiveness
»
a loss of preferential markets
»
and a rules-based approach to
agricultural policy.
10
Background to the Projects and Activities
Promoting CARICOM/CARIFORUM Food Security
Phase 11
Objective
Improving the overall food availability and the incomes
of rural people by enhancing the capability of the
Agri - food producers to increase:
–volume
–value of food output in CARIFORUM
Justification
Grounded in the recent rapid rise in prices of basic
foodstuff which has served to emphasise the risks
associated with the high dependence of imported food11.
Background to the Projects Initiatives and
Activities
CARICOM’s Regional Food & Nutrition Security Policy
The RFNSP was formulated by a Technical Working
Group comprising representatives of Belize, Dominica,
Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, OECS, UWI, CFNI and IICA,
nominated by CARICOM Member States and serving
under the leadership and guidance of the Agricultural
Development Unit of the CARICOM Secretariat with
assistance from the FAO
The need for an urgent and coherent response to the
food security and public health and nutrition
challenges facing CARICOM prompted Member States
to prepare a Regional Policy for Food and Nutrition
Security (RPFNS).
12
Background to the Projects Initiatives and
Activities
CARICOM’s Regional Food & Nutrition Security Policy
Objectives
To ensure that the regional food production,
processing, distribution, marketing, trade, and
food safety and agricultural public health
system is capable of providing safe, adequate,
nutritious and affordable food for the region’s
inhabitants at all times, thereby achieving food
and nutrition security.
13
Background to the Projects Initiatives and
Activities
CARICOM’s Regional Food & Nutrition Security
Policy
Justification
The formulation of this policy will enable Member
States to secure for their private and public sectors as
well as for households and communities throughout
the region, benefits and economic externalities that
they would be unable to access acting in isolation, and
at a lower cost than they would otherwise face.
14
Development of Sub-themes
• The sub-themes on the theme Agriculture-Food and
Nutrition Security were derived from the four main
objectives of the Regional Food and Nutrition Security
Policy which will both address issues and provide
benefits in the following areas:
– Availability of Food
– Access to Food
– Food Utilisation and Nutritional Adequacy
– Stability of Food Supply
15
Development of CSICT Indicators
• ICT can provide solutions to address issues and
concerns whilst realising the benefits in the subthemes mentioned before by measuring and
monitoring the impact through the production of
CSICT Indicators in the following areas:
– Food Availability - Production/Trade
– Food Access - Social Welfare/Equity
– Food Utilization Nutritional Adequacy/Stability of
Supply - Natural Resources/Environment
– Stability of Supply -Institutions/Infrastructure/Resource
Mobilization
16
Development of CSICT Indicators
Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy
Sub-themes
General
Considerations/
Issues Concerns/
Challenges and
Constraints
Benefit
/Justific
ation
CSICT
Indicators
Principles/ Concepts
and Policy
Benefit
/Justifi
cation
CSICT
Indicators
Benefits derived
from the
formulation of the
policy
Benefit
/Justifi
cation
CSICT
Indicators
Institutional
Framework/
Implementation
Benefit/
Justificat
ion
CSICT
Indicators
Food
Availability
Food Access
Food
Utilization
Nutritional
Adequacy/St
ability of
Supply
Stability of
Supply
17
Definitions of the phases in Agriculture
• The main phases of the agriculture industry are:
– Crop cultivation, Water management, Fertilizer
Application, Fertigation, Pest management,
Harvesting, Post harvest handling, Transporting of
food/food products, Packaging, Food preservation,
Food processing/value addition, Food quality
management, Food safety, Food storage, Food
marketing.
18
Definitions of the phases in Agriculture
Crop cultivation is the process of preparing the soil for
Planting. The processes involved are:
Processes
Plant propagation
Definition
Crop production
Process in growing plants for harvesting for food,
livestock fodder, fuel or for any other economic
purpose.
Plant breeding
The art and science of changing the genetics of
Process of creating new plants from a variety of
sources: eg. seeds, cuttings, bulbs
plants in order to produce desired characteristics
Genetic engineering Is the direct human manipulation of an organism's
genome using modern DNA technology.
Plant biochemistry The study of chemical processes in plants. The
and Plant physiology science of the function of living plant systems.
19
Phases in Agricultural cycle
Crop cultivation.
How can ICT impact this phase of the Agricultural cycle?
Processes
Plant propagation
Issue/ Concern
Crop production
Small farms (subsistence
farming), low production,
limited incorporation of
new technologies
Justification
Limited food crop
research
Plant breeding
Genetic engineering
Plant biochemistry
and Plant physiology
20
Phases in Agricultural cycle
Water management is the activity of planning, developing,
distributing and managing the optimum use of water resources
Activities
Planning
Issue
How does ICT impact this phase
Poor distribution of
land and water
resources to insure
adequate water
supply
The use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
linked to Geographical Information Systems
(GIS) can assist in identifying sources of
water and fertile land which can assist in
enhancing of both the distribution and
management system regarding of land and
water resources.
Early Warning systems can be used can
used to monitor weather patterns so that
proper planning can be put in place for
drainage and irrigation systems during
prolonged rainy periods or extended dry
seasons.
Developing
Distributing
Managing
Poor management
of the system to
insure adequate
water supply
21
Phases in Agricultural cycle
Fertigation is the application of fertilizers, soil amendments, or
other water-soluble products through an irrigation system
Application Issue
of:
Fertilizers
Soil
amendments
Watersoluble
products
How does ICT impact this phase
The use of Global Positioning Systems
(GPS) linked to Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) can assist in
identifying sources of water and fertile
land which can assist in enhancing of
both the distribution (including
irrigation systems) and management
system regarding the use of land and
water resources.
22
Phases in Agricultural Cycle
Application of:
Issue
How does ICT
impact this phase
Pest control
The need for the
establishment of Early
Warning Systems
ICT can assist in the
development of an Early
Warning System.
Harvesting
Transporting of food and
food products
Packaging
Food- preservation,
processing/value addition,
quality management,
safety, storage, and
marketing
23
Food and Nutrition Security
Definition
Food security exists when all people, at all times,
have physical and economic access to sufficient,
safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs
and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
In the CARICOM region, a recent study found that
food security is compromised not so much by lack
of food availability as by inadequate access to foods
and dietary patterns that adversely impact on
nutritional status.
– N.B. Food Security is not Food Availability
24
Food and Nutrition Security
The Question:
Can ICT not only increase the availability of food but
more importantly improve the access to adequate
quantities of safe, quality food in particular to poor,
rural communities across the Region to not only insure
that they have access to healthy food but are able to
afford it.
The Issue as it relates to adequate quantities of safe,
healthy, quality food is one of:
– availability
– access
– affordability
25
Dimensions in Food Security
They are four dimensions to Food Security
– The availability of Food
•
•
•
•
food production and processing
water management on farms
trade imports and exports
stockpiling of food stocks and the availability of food aid
– Access to Food:
• Marketing and transport infrastructure and food distribution
systems markets, supermarkets, transport of produce
• Purchasing power or having the money to buy affordable food
• Social programmes to ensure access to nutritious food e.g.
smart card, food stamps, meals on wheels
26
Dimensions in Food Security
– Utilisation
• The safe and healthy utilisation of the food
consumed by individuals
»Good health status, since healthy
individuals can make proper use of food
»Nutritious food choices for all age groups.
Inappropriate consumption patterns give
rise to non-communicable, diet related
diseases
»Food safety and quality
27
»Access to clean water and sanitation
Dimensions in Food Security
Utilisation :
– The stability or sustainability of food supplies,
access to that food and the utilisation of the food
consumed.
– Anything that interrupts food supply and access or
interferes with the utilisation of food will lead to
food insecurity. This can be chronic or transitory.
– Chronic food insecurity is associated with problems
of continuing or structural poverty, low incomes
and health issues.
– Transitory food insecurity involves periods of
increased pressure caused by natural disasters,
economic collapse or conflict.
28
Dimensions in Food Security
• Stability of Food Supply:
• The stability of food availability, access and
utilisation.
• Conditions for agricultural production including
the weather, water supply, pest and disease
management
• The economic environment including economic
shocks, loss of preferences and price fluctuations
• Emergencies and disasters including drought,
floods, pest and disease outbreaks and wars
• Lifestyle conditions in relation to sanitation, diet
and exercise.
29
Development of the Sub-themes
Sub-theme
Agriculture
Availability of Food All phases in the
Access to Food
Agricultural cycle
Food and Nutrition
CARICOM/CARIFORUM Food
Security Project –
Phases 1 And 11
Food Utilisation
and Nutritional
Adequacy
Once food availability (volume and
value of food is increased) the
incomes of farmers and those
involved in the sector and
community will increase leading to
them being able to better utilise
and afford healthy, quality and
nutritional food and food products.
Stability of Food
Supply
CARICOM/CARIFORUM Food
Security Project –
Phases 11- Early Warning System
30
Development of the Sub-themes
Availability of Food
– Objective
• Promote the sustainable production, processing,
preparation, commercialization and consumption
of safe, affordable, nutritious, high quality
Caribbean food commodities/products.
– The availability of Food
• food production and processing
• water management on farms
• trade imports and exports
• stockpiling of food stocks and the availability of
31
food aid
Development of the Sub-themes
Availability of Food
Issues
Producing
adequate
quantities
of quality
food.
What is involved. What should be the Focus?
Agriculture
Regional Food and Nutrition
Security Policy
Crop Cultivation
Improve production and productivity of
identified food and livestock
commodities through…..
Water management
Pest management
Application of fertilizers and pesticides
Harvesting
Transportation of food/products
Packaging
Food- preservation, processing/value
addition, quality management, safety,
storage, and marketing
32
Development of the Sub-themes
Availability of Food
Issues
Producing
adequate
quantities
of quality
food.
What is involved. What should be the Focus?
Agriculture
Regional Food and Nutrition
Security Policy
Crop Cultivation
Improve production and productivity of
identified food and livestock
commodities through…..
Water management
Pest management
Application of fertilizers and pesticides
Harvesting
Transportation of food/products
Packaging
Food- preservation, processing/value
addition, quality management, safety,
storage, and marketing
33
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food –
(Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy Document)
General Considerations/ Issues Concerns/ Challenges and Constraints
• The need for timely and high quality Agriculture Statistics and e-Agriculture
information to be available and accessible
Benefits/ Justification
• Provide farmer/ organisations data on crops and international crop
status, information on market timing, prices and regional, national and
international market conditions.
• The establishment of Early Warning Systems to detect and forecast
sudden changes in climate, weather as well as the economic
environment.
Indicators Proposed - Access
1. Proportion of farmers/agro-businesses accessing online Agricultural-type
applications and information monitoring systems by type and use
2. Proportion of farmers with access to laptops, PDA's, or other handsets
equipped with relevant software/applications that allow data and information
to be collected in the field and disseminated.
34
3. Proportion of farmers receiving information on the weather by type of
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food –
(Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy Document)
General Considerations/ Issues Concerns/ Challenges and Constraints
• Inadequate Infrastructure
Benefits/ Justification
Objective - to measure the access to e-Agriculture information in rural and low
income households
This sub-theme addresses the issue of access to and availability of a
radio, telephone (land and mobile), television (or broadcast media) and
Internet-based communications. The likely benefit and impact of ICT
would be the facilitation of both access to and receipt of agriculture and
real time market information that can lead to better forecasting, planning,
management and decision-making relative to agro-business sector.
Access to a computer allows access to information (e.g. browsing),
sales/purchases on- line, other financial information (e.g. banking),
completion of government forms, surveys on-line, completion of other
forms, surveys on-line and marketing.
35
Sub-themes- Information Deprivation
Communication and Community Access
Indicators Proposed - Infrastructure
No.
Proposed CSICT
Justification
AFN1
Proportion of farmers with access to other
forms of telephony
Facilitates access to information in the
absence of the traditional
communication IT services in remote
areas.
AFN2
No. of persons employed in the Agricultural
sector with computers by type of
occupation and reason for use.
More computers whether private or
public and subscribers will cater for the
demands of users al more accessibility
of information
AFN3
No. of public internet access areas (eg hot
spots, libraries) by region/parish.
AFN4
No. of internet cafés by service provided
and region/parish in rural areas
AFN5
No. of households with an internet
subscription by type of service
AFN6
No. of internet service providers by type of
service provided
36
Sub-themes- Information Deprivation
Communication and Community Access
Indicator Proposed: Ability to Access Information
No.
Proposed CSICT
Justification
AFN7
AFN8
Cost of internet subscription (by type)
Cost will affect time spent on
internet and affect one’s ability to
access the information when
needed. Eg an unemployed youth
looking for a job may need to
access information on how to
prepare for an interview.
AFN9
Total No. of hours spent using the
internet per week by type of use
Cost of service provided in internet
cafés
Depending on what the internet is
being used for, and the ability of
the person to access and apply the
information needed; more time
spent could translate into greater
access and receipt of information
and services enabling decision37
making.
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food –
(Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy
Document)
Objective to measure the quality of e-Agriculture information received:
No.
Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators
Justification
AFN10
Proportion of farmers using electronic
devices by type of data and information
transmitted from the field
Allows real time data and information
to be transmitted from the field to a
server thus providing users with
accurate and updated information.
AFN11
Proportion of farmers receiving information
on the weather by type of communication
device.
SMS messaging can be used to share
and provides updates on the weather.
AFN12
No of farmers with access to laptops, PDA's,
or other handsets equipped with relevant
software/applications that allow data and
information to be collected in the field and
disseminated.
Allows real time data and information
to be transmitted from the field to a
server thus providing users with
accurate and updated information.
AFN13
Proportion of farmers/agro-businesses
accessing online Agricultural-type
applications and information/monitoring
systems by type and use
38
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food –
(Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy Document)
Objective to measure the quality of e-Agriculture information received:
No.
Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators Justification
AFN14
No of agencies that have a website
Allows real time data and information
to be transmitted from the field to a
server thus providing users with
accurate and updated information.
AFN15
No. of farmers receiving e-Agriculture
information by email, website, network
group.
SMS messaging can be used to share
and provides updates on the weather.
AFN16
No. of farmers accessing information via U
tube by type of information.
Use of and access to audio visuals can
enhance learning and be used to
communicate new farming techniques,
best practices and share experiences.
AFN17
No of radio and television programmes
sharing information on agricultural
production including the weather, water
supply, pest and disease management.
39
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food –
(Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy Document)
General Considerations/ Issues Concerns/ Challenges and Constraints
Research and Development
Many risks and uncertainties are associated with farming, arising from poor
soils, flooding, drought, erosion and pests.
Benefits/ Justification
Over the years research in the sector has led to the availability of more
information about pest and disease control, early warning systems, new
varieties and new ways to improve production and quality control.
Indicators Proposed – Research
40
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food –
(Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy Document)
Indicators Proposed – Research
No.
Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators Justification
AFN18
No of agencies with e-Agriculture
information by type of information
Documentation will assist in the
production of a Compendium of eAgriculture information
AFN19
No of agro-businesses using barcodes to
track fresh fruit and vegetables and other
perishables by type of reason of use.
SMS messaging can be used to share
and provides updates on the weather.
AFN20
No of farmers receiving accurate information Allows the farmer and relevant
and forecasts on changes in weather
agencies to plan well in advance
patterns
against impending natural disasters
and sudden changes in weather by
putting the necessary systems and
infrastructure in place to mitigate
against loss due to damage of crops
and livestock.
41
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food –
(Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy Document)
General Considerations/ Issues Concerns/ Challenges and Constraints
Benefits/ Justification
By enhancing both the quality and quantity food produced whilst
reducing the cost of production, ICT can improve the
livelihoods of those involved in the sector by delivering a
better quality of product. It can also improve on traditional
farming methods, improve the yield per acre and thus
enhance the agricultural potential of rural areas as well as the
systems in relation to distribution, transportation and
management of the system
42
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food –
(Regional Food and Nutrition Security Policy Document)
Indicators Proposed – Improving the incomes of farmers and those in
the farming community and sector
No.
Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators Justification
AFN21
No of farmers receiving information on the
weather by type of communication device.
Farm Computer Usage and Ownership
is critical to accessing available
agriculture information
AFN22
No of farmers receiving information on
market prices by type of communication
device
Timely e-information (e-weather, eagriculture) is critical for decision
making in the field and can make the
difference in quantity and quality of
production and hence the income the
farmer can receive. It allows the
farmer to remain competitive whilst
ensuring he gets the best possible
price for his produce.
AFN23
Proportion of farmers accessing credit and
rural banking facilities and mobile banking
initiatives.
Reduce overhead cost and stimulates
development. Saves time and
transportation cost.
43
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food – Regional Food and
Nutrition Security Policy Document
44
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food – Regional Food and
Nutrition Security Policy Document
General Considerations/ Issues Concerns/ Challenges and Constraints
Benefits/ Justification
Indicators Proposed
45
Proposed CSICT Indicators and Justification
Availability of Food – Regional Food and
Nutrition Security Policy Document
General Considerations/ Issues Concerns/ Challenges and Constraints
Benefits/ Justification
Indicators Proposed
46
Sources of Information
• http://www.agricarib.org/sites/default/files/regional_f
ood_nutrition_security_policy_oct2010.pdf
• http://www.fao.org/docs/eims/upload/258775/Works
hop_Summary_final.pdf
• http://www.researcheurope.com/index.php/category/food/
• http://www.aercafrica.org/documents/ICT_project_w
orking_papers/Mayet_al_ICTAgriculturalDevelopmenti
nSSA.pdf
• ftp://ftp.fao.org/sids/SIDSGraham.pdf
47
Thank you for your attention
48