SCALING UP CDD IN CENTRAL ASIA

APPROACHES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION

AND KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNITY DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT -

EXPERIENCE FROM RUSSIA

5 November 2002

S. JANAKIRAM

ECSIE, CORE TEAM MEMBER – SASKI THEMATIC GROUP

Main topics to be covered• Present the Four M modular approach for

development of rural information knowledge system – experience from Russia

• Describe the lessons learnt and results achieved

• Discuss the approach for CDD activities in transition economies in the former Soviet Union countries in Central Asia

Main messages for the CDD group - to take home from this seminar…

• Participatory content development and dissemination using available media

• Information and knowledge are factors of production– Increasing in

» Importance» Demand

• Information and knowledge to the rural poor and communities to be provided as a public good in transition economies

• Should information be demand based? – Yes – but over time … till communities are formed using democratic

processes… and reach maturity …..to become demand driven– Meantime – focus on creating demand and use demand driven where

feasible

Part One

Experience from Russia

Agricultural Reform Implementation Support Project

Initiated and implemented between 1992 and 2001

Components

Farmer Information and Advisory Services

Market Information Services

•Context•Approach Taken•Results Achieved•Lessons Learned

Context:’92-’93

Initial Conditions

• State-controlled information systems—to meet centralized planning requirements

• Lack of free access to information to those desiring to be informed and make their own decisions

• High literacy rate in the world, but lack of knowledge of how to function in a market economy and varying levels of quality

• Availability of basic communication infrastructure – from poor to excellent

Objective

• To enable the free flow of information and knowledge to improve decision making of different types of emerging public and private rural enterprises, communities and institutions during the transition to a market economy

Approach taken

From

Simple

Single Discipline

Single

Source

Client Information

Needs Assessment

Print

Single Media

Single User

Farming community

Feedback Feedback

To

An increasingly complex…

Modular system using multi media to develop and disseminate multi-disciplinary rural information and knowledge from multiple sources to multiple

users with built in client information needs assessment and feedback mechanisms: in short –

The Four M modular approach for rural information and knowledge system.

Client Information

Needs Assessment

Priorities of Information

• Legal, financial, marketing, business

• Methods of processing agricultural products

• Agricultural mechanization and technologies

• Veterinary related applications

Multiusers:

The First M

Multiusers

Private Farms Collective/State Farms Government

Agro Industries Consumers

Multisource:

The Second M

Multidisciplinary:

The Third M

Information

Sources

Rural Information and Knowledge Development

Multisource

MultidisciplinaryInformation Development for Client & Media (Business, Market, Technical, Legal, Environmental)

Management, organization

Govt. Agencies

Universities

Agricultural Institutions

Russian Research

Academies

Input Suppliers

Local/Foreign

Data Banks

Foreign Sources

International Research

Institutes

Multimedia:

The Fourth M

Rural Information and Knowledge Dissemination

—Using Multimedia

Print Radio Video Computer TV

Exhibitions & Fairs

FEED- BACKFROM USERS

Information Development for Client & Media (Business, Market, Technical, Legal, Environmental)

Information

Sources

Govt. Agencies

Universities

Russian Research Academies

Agricultural Institutions

Input Suppliers

Foreign Sources

International ResearchInstitutes

Local/Foreign Data Banks

Client Information

Needs Assessment

Print Radio Video Computer TV Exhibitions

& Fairs

Multimedia

Multiusers

Private Farms Collective/State Farms Government Agro Industries Consumers

Rural Information and Knowledge System

Feedback Feedback

Multisource

Multidisciplinary

Press Video Center

Information

Sources

MOA Depts

Universities

Russian Research Academies

Agricultural Institutions

Foreign Univ.

Int’l Libraries

International ResearchInstitutes

Local/Foreign Data Banks

Client Information

Needs Assessment

Print Radio Video Computer TV

Multimedia

Multiusers

Federal MOA Departments

Oblast-MOA Departments

Institutes

Ministry of Agriculture: Press Video Center

Feedback Feedback

Multisource

Multidisciplinary

AgriculturalProducers

Results

PresentConditions

- User Level—individuals, groups, communities, and institutions:

- Beginning of

- Attitudinal changes in new ways of doing business by different users

- Increased awareness among users to make informed business decisions and understanding of the rewards and risks of a market economy

- Creation of democratic structures and new alliances

- Transparency, improved governance and increased accountability of public resources

- Stimulating competition among traders, reducing interregional price disparities, and taking advantage of international market opportunities

- Over 8,500 specialists trained in a variety of agricultural topics

PresentConditions

-Institutional/Technical Level—

-Creation of distributed computing environment connecting 30 oblasts (states) and over 300 raions (districts) across the Russian Federation providing agriculture and market information

–A modern press video center using digital technology in the Ministry of Agriculture

–A well developed Federal Training Center in Timiryazev Agricultural Academy

Lessons Learnt

•Involvement of as many public and private institutions as possible for information development and dissemination Such as:

- Dept of Science and technology, Information, advisory services in the Ministry of Agriculture- Agricultural Universities at the federal and state levels- Research Academies- Nongovernmental organizations- Local community organizations- Public and private media organizations

 

•Build on local culture, customs and media – incorporate local mechanisms into information and knowledge transfer project activities Examples :

- Annual agricultural exhibitions/fairs- Harvest festivals- Local TV and radio programs- Local newspapers, periodicals, magazines

 

•Flexibility and scalability in technology hardwareIncorporate internationally accepted hardware and software standards into information network design and communication Examples:

- Distributed computing environment- Open Software- Effective use of available communication facilities and bandwidth

•Provide adequate operations support – for day to day operations  Examples:

- Office supplies- Communication expenses- Local transport- Incorporate performance based incentives for project staff

•Expect limited cost recovery  Such as:

- Recovery of partial operating costs- Provide information as a free public good, especially in transition economies

Part Two

Applications for Scaling up CDD in Central Asia

Some definitions: community

• A unified group of individuals or households• An interacting population consisting of various

types of individuals or households living in a common location

• A group of individuals or households having a common characteristic or interest or belief

• A group of individuals or households having common professional interests

• A group of individuals or households working together

Information and Community Development

• Is an essential element for development of civil society

• Is a factor of production• Helps coalition building • Helps form citizen advocacy groups• Creates new alliances, partnerships among

citizens, local governments and businesses• Promotes public involvement in problem solving

and controversial projects and reform programs

Information – priority setting

• Before and even now…

Set by the StateTo

Develop and SustainA

Socialistic System and/or

Power structures

.

• Now…..and future…

Set by the Communities

To

Develop and Sustain

A

Democratic System

or reversing power

structures

Information Needs in Transition Economies

FROM …. AGRICULTURE

TO ……… ZOOLOGY

Changing information needs of

• Landless poor

• Subsistence farmers

• Small farmers

• Medium to Large farmers

Landless poor

Examples…– Entitlements– Laws and regulations – Employment opportunities– Social benefits– Education and training– Health– Other

Subsistence farmers

Examples….• Technologies to maintain at least subsistence levels of agricultural production

• Minimizing risk

• Cultural practices

• Prices

• Weather

• Inputs – Water

– Seeds

– Fertilizer, pesticides, etc

• Credit

• Other

Small farmers

Examples…• Same as those for subsistence farmers Plus

– Market opportunities • Where to market• What to market • When to market• Developing market niches

– Farm management– Other

Medium to Large farmers

Examples….

• Same as those for small farmers PLUS• Shaping Policies

• Management and administration

• Technologies

• Environmental rules and regulations

• Other

But information and knowledge needs are changing to …..

More holistic information

& knowledge covering

Agriculture

Health

Education

Social benefits

Services

Entertainment

Other

Common theme which emerges is

Demand for information and knowledge is on the increase…..

But must be

Timely

Relevant

Easily accessible

Understandable

Affordable

even if it is scribbled on the back of an envelope!!!!!!

Information is just one elementto solving problems in scaling up CDD – examples

where information could make a difference

• Clarify vague notions of property• Increase accountability of local executives and

administrators responsible for delivery of services• Accelerates changes in legal,regulatory and

political environment conducive for increased citizen involvement in public affairs, entrepreneurship, business development, etc.

• Strengthens cooperative linkages between Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments

Information is just one elementto solving problems in scaling up CDD – examples

where information could make a difference

Areas

• Clarify vague notions of property

• Increase accountability of local executives and administrators responsible for delivery of services

• Reduction in functions and responsibilities of local governments in relation to budget and manpower resources

• Changes in legal,regulatory and political environment conducive for increased citizen involvement in public affairs, entrepreneurship, business development, etc.

• Strengthen cooperative linkages between Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments

• Azerbaijan - stage

• Intermediate

• Beginning

• Early beginnings

• Beginning

• Beginning

Information is just one elementto solving problems in scaling up CDD – examples

where information could make a difference

Areas

• Clarify vague notions of property

• Increase accountability of local executives and administrators responsible for delivery of services

• Reduction in functions and responsibilities of local governments in relation to budget and manpower resources

• Changes in legal,regulatory and political environment conducive for increased citizen involvement in public affairs, entrepreneurship, business development, etc.

• Strengthen cooperative linkages between Center and local Governments

• Tajikistan - stage

• Very early beginnings

• Early Beginning

• Early beginnings

• Beginning

• Early Beginning

QUESTIONS?SUGGESTIONS?Are most welcome

Thank you for your participation