Project Goal
The main objective of the project is to establish a collaboration platform among key stakeholders in the agrifood sector in V4 and WB for the purpose of creating the foundations for adoption of ICTs in AE in WB, based on the experience of the V4. Exploiting regional experience in the area of ICTs in AE enables faster synchronization of the agrifood industry among partner countries resulting in higher economic development in the region.
Duration:
Region:
Donator:
Project Coordinator:
Target Group
Specific Target Groups:
- Agricultural extension agencies
- Farmers Organisations
- Experts
Partners
- Rural Association Support Program (Albania)
- WIRELESSINFO (Czech Republic)
- Agroinstitut Nitra (Slovakia)
- KISKUNSÁGI NATURE PROTECTION Nonprofit Co. (Hungary)
- INOSENS (Serbia)
Short Description
The Agricultural Extension (AE) is one of the crucial elements for the development of the countries’ agricultural sector. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have played a significant role in increasing the level of preparedness of the national AE to encounter modern agricultural challenges. WB have limited implementation and usage of ICTs for providing AE services. Existing V4 experience for using ICTs in AE presents an asset that can accelerate the process of adopting these technologies in WB’s AE. This presents a core element for cooperation among V4 and WB. The collaboration can contribute to synchronization of countries’ agricultural sectors and growth of already well established economic cooperation around the agriculture and food industry in partner countries.
V4WB cooperation in the area of ICTs for AE is of tremendous importance given the fact that V4 are ahead from WB in the given project issue. This advantage of the V4 countries presents a valuable asset for the WB to achieve faster and more efficient progress in the implementation of ICTs in AE. Additionally, synchronization of the level of development of the AE in WB with V4 on the long had a significant impact on the level of harmonization of the agricultural sectors between the two groups of countries which had an impact on the overall economic cooperation. The local and national approach does not provide proper harmonization of the AE model which is a significant precondition for the growth of the economic cooperation in the area of agrifood industry among the two regions.
Outcomes of the project:
– Transfer of knowledge and experience in using ICTs in AE
Transferring of already existing knowledge and experience in using ICTs in AE in V4 enabled faster and efficient adoption of these technologies in AE in WB and avoidance of unnecessary bottleneck in the process.
– Gathering V4 experience in using ICTs in AE and understanding farmer’s behavior in WB
Encountering the valuable experience in using ICTs in AE in V4 with good understanding of farmer’s behavior in WB enabled the creation of the foundation for customized model for adoption of these technologies in WB.
– White paper disseminated to key stakeholders in the system of AE in WB and V4
The white paper consisted of the conclusions from the final event in the project has the purpose to guide each of the stakeholders (Governments, AE, ICT Companies, Farmers’ organizations) to efficiently fit in the process of implementing ICTs in AE in WB.
V4 experience in ICT for AE significantly contributed for avoidance of unnecessary bottlenecks in the process of adoption of ICTs in AE in WB. This process required understanding of farmers’ needs, their willingness to accept ICTs and AE’s capacity to adopt ICTs. Encountering current farmers’ needs in WB and V4’s knowhow in the area of ICTs in AE provided the foundations for a customized approach for implementing of ICTs in WB AE. More specifically, the project results contributed for more efficient incorporation of WB’s AE in Integrated Administration and Control System and compliant Farm Advisory System, which had an significant impact of the process of harmonization of WB to EU’s Common Agriculture Policy.
Read more at http://aewb-ict.net/