Annex G - Guidebook On APEC Projects

______2007/ATCWG11/009 Agenda Item: V

Evaluation Report - Workshop on the Utilization of Agricultural Technology Transfer and Training Networking Systems (ATC 01/2006)

Purpose: Information Submitted by: Indonesia

11th Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group Meeting Brisbane, Australia 28-31 May 2007 APEC PROJECT FORMAT Facesheet (Tick  one)  Project seeking APEC funding  Project for self-funding  Progress Report X Evaluation Report (Tick  one where applicable)[  ] Operational Account [ ] TILF Special Account

Project number: ATC 01/2006 Date received by Secretariat:

Name of Committee/Working Group: Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group (ATCWG)

Title of Project: Workshop on the Utilization of Agricultural Technology Transfer and Training Networking Systems

Proposing APEC Economy: Indonesia Co-sponsoring APEC Economy (ies): Japan, Korea, Chile Project Overseer: Name, Title and Organization (M) Dr. Haryono Secretary, Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development, Ministry of Agriculture Indonesia Postal address: Tel: (621) 7806202 Jl. Ragunan 29 Pasar Minggu Fax: (621) 7800644 Jakarta Selatan Email: Indonesia 12540 [email protected] d Financial Total cost of proposal (US$): Amount being sought from APEC Central Fund Information (US$): US$ 68,550 US$ 98,100 Type of Project:  seminar/symposium  short-term training course  survey or analysis and research  database/website  others (Please specify) Project start date: 1 January 2006 Project end date: 31 December 2006 Brief description of Project : its purpose and the principal activities (including when and where) :

The objective of the workshop is to exchange information and experiences and to train on the implementation of the utilization of ATT&T Networking System and related developed agricultural technologies among member economies on: (i) The Networking System aspect on the experiences in using the ATT&T Networking System, particularly on the strength and the obstacles and the ideas to improve the system; (ii) The farmers access to information through ATT&T Networking System particularly on how the network could provide benefit to the farmers, (iii) The training aspects on how to develop and manage web-site in providing knowledge of technology and skills for users and operators via the ATT&T Networking System.

Principal Activities There were 1 (one) seminar paper, 3 (three) training paper, and 6 (six) short paper on farmers’ experiences in implementing technology presented on the workshop. The followings were the activities: (1) One day seminar on e-commerce: Overview the role of e-commerce in agricultural production and marketing: the strength, the obstacles and the solution (2) Training on Development of the ATT&T Networking Systems: i) General requirements for establishing networking system at national, regional and global levels ii) How to establish and develop efficient networking systems for farmers’ organizations, research institutions, extension services and private sectors iii) Net-working management for improving farmers’ access to information and networking for increasing farmers’ income and self-reliance (3) Farmers to farmers training – chaired by Indonesia iv) 6 short paper on farmers experiences in each respective APEC member economies (4) Field visits to observe, discuss, and sharing information and experiences in mobilizing resources and promoting agribusiness and in developing ATT&T networking systems; (5) Discussion on Action Plan for 2007-2008.

Signature of Project Overseer:

(Separate written confirmation acceptable for email submission) Date: Signature of Committee Chair/WG Lead Shepherd: (Not applicable to Progress Report and Evaluation Report)

(Separate written confirmation acceptable for email submission) Date: APEC Project Evaluation Form

Objectives

1. Did you achieve your objectives and expected results? Did the project meet the needs of the targeted beneficiaries, identify direct and indirect beneficiaries? What was the quality of the product/service you provided?

a. As indicated by comments and interests expressed by the speakers, the participants and the observers, as written in the distributed evaluation questionnaires, the workshop achieves its objectives and expected results. All of the speakers answered yes it achieve the objective. Thirty-five % of the participants rating excellent (5 from the scale 1 to 5), 35 % rating 4 and 26 % rating 3 and 3% rating 1 on an overall basis of the Seminar.

b. Yes the project met the needs of the targeted beneficiaries. The Workshop’s participants and observers have discussed, observed, shared experiences in application of e-commerce in agri-business, developing and managing networking (includes electronic networking) to give more benefit for farmers..

c. Direct beneficiaries were 66 participants and observers, and farmers, entrepreneurs, extensionists and researchers who actively participate in the discussion both during the plenary/group session in the class and in the field visits.

d. Indirect beneficiaries were farmers, managers, entrepreneurs and policy makers both in central and local levels in APEC member economies...

e. Participants and observers mentioned that the effectiveness of the project was excellent, educational and effective sessions and field visit.

f. The quality of the product/services we provided has satisfied all of the speakers, the participants and the observers.

2. Show your actual results relative to quantitative measures you proposed in paragraph 1 (and 25) or the project design proposal and evaluate those results relative to your benchmarks and the ranges you indicated would be acceptable in the project design form.

All of the three objectives were achieved at satisfactory levels. This is shown by the number of the speakers and the participants, the presentations of the invited papers and its discussion, high participation on farmers to farmers sharing experiences and also in the answers of the evaluation forms and conclusion of the Workshop. Most of the participants (79%) valued the content of the Workshop Just Right, 9 % valued Too Detailed, and the rest (12%) valued Not Detailed Enough. While on the effectiveness of the Workshop : 42 % of the participants valued very effective, 42 % effective, 6 % fair. 4 % not effective and 6 % no answer. There was no benchmark data collected, but when problems in developing networking could be used as benchmark data, however, the Workshop was able to identify, sharpen and clarify the main problems that could be used in formulating strategies to solve the problems such as using SMS or internet for developing ICT networking that depend on the availability of telecommunication cable.. The participant’s initial implementation of the Workshop results in each of APEC member economies will be monitored and evaluated and its experiences will be discussed in the next Workshop on the ATT&T networking in 2007 or 2008.

3. Are there any lessons learned?

Most of the participants mentioned that they got lessons learned from the workshop such as widened the knowledge from other countries in terms of how to utilize networking particularly on e-commerce, how to develop and manage networking in order to give more benefit for farmers. Some of the APEC member economies facing similar problems in developing networking and transferring technology information that accessible to farmers since computer are still luxurious for them. And also in general all members have formulated similar approach in solving the problems, i.e. through farmers’ participation and strengthen farmers’ collaboration and partnership with entrepreneurs, extensionists and researchers by developing related net-working (includes e-networking systems). The way in solving the problems operationally, however, bit differ from one member to other member of economies. Learning from the differences of the experiences of each member economies, then, another member could improve its participatory and partnerships practices via net-working. Government should have responsibility to develop initial electronic-networking particularly in the member economies where computer is still considered as a luxurious and not affordable good. Possibility of exploring SMS for developing net working looks promising since using of mobile phone is wide and spread over the country even in rural area with relatively lower cost than using of telecommunication cable for internet.

4. For Ecotech Projects Only – What impact has the project had in terms of advancing the Ecotech priorities contained in the Manila Framework for Strengthening Economic Cooperation and Development? The project goals being directly relevant to the development of human capital, this project are surely impact on advancing the Ecotech priorities.

5. Did the project achieve any of the priorities of the Framework for the Integration of Women in APEC?

Two out of ten speakers and 30 % of the participants were women. In the paper presentation and discussion and also during farmers to farmers sharing experiences, the women were actively participated. During the field trip,appears that women’s role are dominance in rural industry and women laborers intensively being used in sorting coffee for export that impressed the participants. This information is important in planning the integrated activities for women in APEC.

6. Provide a brief description of the outputs of the project to show the effects on women. As indicated in paragraph 5, the output of Workshop shows dominance roles of women in agricultural business. Exchange of information and experiences among participants of the Workshop and between participants and women who were displayed their activities and also with women speakers of the invited papers as well as women chair person during the discussions, on their dominant roles, provided learning lessons for women in improving their future activities.

Linkages

7. Describe how your project involved business/private sector participation (e.g. co- sponsorship of an event, joint work on a project etc.) and which types of business/private sector institutions participated (e.g. non-governmental organizations, schools, labor organizations, women’ groups, corporations, small businesses etc.)

Farmers, farmers’ group, women farmers’ group and small and big agribusiness entrepreuner were actively participating in the Workshop, and also contributing to the content of the action plan 2007 - 2008.

8. Which other APEC fora (if any) participated in your project? How did you coordinate your work with the work of other APEC fora? How did the project complement or overlap with the work of others? n.a.

Methodology and Budget

9. Was the project completed on schedule? Yes Was the project completed on budget? Yes

10. Describe any problems, which is arose and how they were resolved, including changes in schedule or revised dates, budget changes, changes in participation, or additions or deletions of activities. N.A.

11. What kind of sex-disaggregated data was collected at the beginning, end and during the project, and what did it show? See examples on last page of this Form.  Number of participants

Male participants: 53 Female participants: 14

 Number of speakers

Male speakers: 8 Female speakers: 2

 Number of the authors of contributed papers

Male authors: 3 Female authors: -

 Number of staff of the organizing committee Male staff: 13 Female staff: 6 12. If sex-disaggregated data was not used, indicate why (e.g., lack of availability or relevance). Was there any sex-disaggregated data that would have been useful but was not available? N.A.

13. Provide sex-disaggregated data on the beneficiaries of the project. Male participants: 60% Female participants: 40% 14. Provide details of the project’s budget that was allocated to activities that address the specific needs of women, where appropriate. N.A.

15. Provide details of how the project could have further increased women’s involvement or ensured that men and women benefited more equitably?  Provision of new technology and information related to agribusiness and marketing products that in turns strengthen role of women in supporting their family income and ensured that men and women benefited more equally.  Provision training for women on managing net-working, including on electronic network system.

Dissemination of Project Output

16. Describe your deliverables and how they have been disseminated. How have you communicated the results of this project (presentations, newsletters, seminars, journal articles, Web page, video, etc)?

The CD ROM consisting of the conclusions, the papers and the related documents of the Workshop including some pictures of the field visits have been distributed to each participant and observer at the end of the Workshop. A set of final proceedings of the Seminar will be distributed to APEC member economies in December 2006. In addition this information would also be retrieved from the WEB page.

17. What additional actions should be taken to disseminate project results and maximize project impact over the longer term? If relevant, is there any action that the project beneficiary/ies should take to continue improving performance relative to the quantitative measures in paragraph 3 (and 22) of the project design form?

Finally after serious discussion at the last plenary session of the Workshop, chaired by the Secretary of the Organizing committee, all participants agree to propose the action plan for 2007-2008 as the following:

1. Disseminate the results of the workshop to all stakeholders and interested parties of each APEC member economies. 2. Establishing networking includes farmers’ involvement in utilizing networking system such as mobile phone and internet depend upon the needs and the availability of the communication system on the area where the farmers are doing their activities 3. Sustaining the networking system among APEC member’s economic especially farmers 4. Initiate farmers to farmers training through exchange visits to increase knowledge, skill and capacity building of the farmers.

Comments

18. Forum small group:

19. Lead Shepherds/Chairs. On the evaluation form, the Co-shepherd wrote that his assessment on the overall effectiveness of the Workshop was Good and the project has achieved its objectives. He thinks that remain problem is how to use, spread and progress of theWorkshop for all APEC member economies. His rating on an overall basis was 4 and the project content was Just Right. He mentioned that net-work system is important in sharing information for farmers, so he expects that farmers’ income and welfare could be increased through the project.

20. Secretariat

* * * * Report of THE WORKSHOP ON THE UTILIZATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND TRAINING NETWORKING SYSTEM

(ATC 01/2006)

Medan, Indonesia, 18 – 21 September 2006

Introduction

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Workshop on the Utilization of the Agricultural Technology Transfer and Training Networking Systems was conducted on 18 – 21 September 2006 at Tiara Medan Hotel, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The Workshop has discussed 10 papers consist of 1 (one) invited paper on e-commerce, 3 (three) invited training papers on establishing and managing Information and Communication Technology networkings, and 6 (six) farmers’ experiences papers. It was enriched with field visits to observe the biggest coffee exporters in Medan and to view the prospective international hotels facilitated with agro-tourism, exclusive fruit plantation, natural recreation area and sport facilities located on the top of the 300 hectares hilly area at Merek, Berastagi District which is only 75 km away from Medan, where participants could see incredible beautiful view of a famous lake Toba. In this occasion the participants could exchange information with farmers and entrepreneurs in mobilizing local resources and promoting big agribusinesses as well as tourism and in developing networking systems.

The Workshop was attended by 68 participants from APEC member economies: Chinese Taipei, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, USA, Vietnam, and Indonesia. In regards to the objective of the workshop that more farmers should participate in this workshop than the previous one, there were one outstanding farmer each from Japan and Chinese Taipei, and also 22 farmers from Indonesia attended the Workshop. They actively provided and shared information and experiences with the participants during farmers to farmers sharing experiences session.

Opening Session

Dr Haryono on behalf of The Director General (DG) of the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) as the steering committee of the workshop delivered the welcome address by saying warm welcome and expressing his deep appreciation to all participants from the APEC member economies that attended in this workshop. He mentioned that this workshop is the sixth gathering of APEC member economies in Indonesia after the first workshop in Jakarta, in January 2000, the second seminar in Yogyakarta, in February 2001, the third seminar held in Denpasar, Bali in July 2003, the fourth training workshop in Bandung in July 2004, and the fifth seminar in November-December 2005. The DG pointed out that from time to time training aspect is quite important in transferring recognized appropriate and proven APEC technologies including how to develop and manage networking in order to get more benefit for farmers. Finally he closed his speech with expressing great appreciation to the farmers who involved in the workshop which he believe it will sustain APEC activities beyond 2006.

Mr. Nobuto Watanabe as the co-shepherd from Japan in his keynote address emphasized the impact of globalization in changing the international economy dramatically. On the other hand, food shortages and destruction of the environment are a part of a wide range of fears concerning the effects of the steady growth of the world population. In such situation, we could keep in mind that food is the most fundamental requirement for life even in the 21st century and various types of agriculture should coexist together in the world. In this context, he would like to promote the active service for the extension of improved farming techniques by administrative organization in respective member economy. Finally, he sincerely hopes that the experience and expertise exchange during this workshop would help every effort to improve farm income and farmers’ working condition in respective mother countries.

On behalf of The Governor of the Province of North Sumatra in his opening remark greeted and welcomed participants and also expressed appreciation and sincere thanks to the steering committee that have chosen Medan as a place to conduct the workshop. He pointed out that the workshop was quite important since agriculture plays important role in the life of the North Sumatra people where farmers are variedly engaged in small traditional rice farming up to estate crop production, from subsistence up to commercial farming. Estate crop is playing a significantly role in North Sumatra, particularly oil palm plantation. In addition to this, vegetables and fruit farming are also important in the province, particularly in Berastagi, where the participants would visit. All of the commodities are not only for domestic consumption but has also been exported. For this reason, some of the big farming has already utilized networks, either in the form of the partnership with small farmers or the use of information technology to keep in touch with the consumer abroad. Finally the governor congratulate all of the farmers who were attending and willing to be more actively participate, collaborate, and even deal business with other farmers colleague from APEC member economies, and then declared the workshop officially opened.

Paper presentation

The First paper: A BRIEF ESSAY OF ISSUES RELATED TO E-COMMERCE, THE INTERNET AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Charles F. Nicholson, Ph.D. (Director of Agricultural Program Development REI-Indonesia)

Some have speculated that the industrial age is coming to a close and that a new age is dawning. This new age of economic development is referred to as the digital age and has, as its backbone, e-Commerce. e-Commerce represents a new way of transacting between sellers and buyers. By utilizing information and communication technologies (ICT), transaction costs between buyers and sellers can be greatly reduced. However, the form and nature of those technologies are still under development. Some applications of information and communication technology have been helpful, while others have failed miserably. Through the crash of “dot.com” enterprises the world learned more about what applications were relevant to the digital age and what applications could not reduce transaction costs. In general, with the advent of the Internet huge advantages in efficiency are possible although numerous obstacles still exist. This paper briefly highlights some general issues related to the development of e- commerce in the U.S. However, the paper will also highlight some of the potential pitfalls and put forth a general strategy that utilizes an existing infrastructure that is much different than the infrastructure that exists in developed countries. It is the author’s hope that this paper might stimulate discussions that could ultimately lead developing countries to capitalize on ICTs and to begin a process of innovation that could lead to reduced transaction costs and enhanced economic efficiency. The underlying infrastructure in Indonesia does not adequately support the growth of internet use. Telephone lines service only a portion of the total population. Cable-based entertainment providers are also rare and exist only in urban areas. So, a cable infrastructure that can support widespread internet use does not exist in Indonesia. It is not surprising then, that internet use in Indonesia is low and that e-commerce in Indonesia is virtually nonexistent. Although a cable infrastructure does not exist in Indonesia, a cellular infrastructure does. Hand phone use is widespread in Indonesia. Multiple providers of cellular service compete for market share in Indonesia. Telkomsel, as the nation’s largest provider of cellular services, provides service into nearly every location in Indonesia. Because cellular services can also provide both information and communication, it is possible for transactions to be facilitated through the existing infrastructure in Indonesia. By developing the appropriate ICT applications it is possible to facilitate ICT-commerce in Indonesia.

The Second Paper:

HOW TO ESTABLISH AND DEVELOP EFFICIENT NETWORKING SYSTEMS FOR FARMERS’ ORGANIZATIONS, RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, EXTENSION SERVICES AND PRIVATE SECTORS

Ms. Chen Mei-Yueh (Council of Agriculture, Taiwan, R.O.C)

Though farmers’ and fishermen’s associations have not been as quick as other industries to become information-oriented, in recent years, having received encouragement from the government and facing the pressures of competition in a social environment, farmers’ and fishermen’s associations have met the challenge head-on. Managers of these associations and workers are all able to recognize the new life that information technology can bring them the strength for competition. At present, the government agriculture department is in the process of establishing an “Agriculture and Food Traceability System,” which makes it possible to trace the food supply chain. This work is carried out under the supervision of farmers’ and fishermen’s associations and includes producing and harvesting as well as sale and transport. Detailed records are kept regarding the application of pesticides, fertilizer and other production materials. After harvest, a production seal is affixed to the paper harvesting container, the container is shipped to the container treatment plant to be cleaned, and a shipping label is affixed. The Agriculture and Food Traceability System strengthens field management and enables consumers to rest assured about the safety of the products they use. Because in recent years, the processes of farmers’ and fishermen’s associations have become increasingly information-based, instructing agricultural workers to use the Agriculture and Food Traceability System will not be that difficult. At the same time, the government hopes that information technology can continue to increase the management and operational efficiency of farmers’ and fishermen’s associations and lower their costs, even allowing them to accumulate intellectual capital and improve organizational image. Ultimately, they can become educational organizations that are able to meet environmental challenges at any time.

The Third Paper:

CURRENT SITUATIONS AND FUTURE FIGURE OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION NETWORK SYSTEM FOR FARMERS’ USE IN JAPAN

Koichi Fukuda Japan Agricultural Development and Extension Association (JADEA)

It is said that the ratio of farmers who possess personal computers and use the internet is around 60 percent and over 40 percent respectively (surveyed in 2005 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). However, the number of farmers, who use the information network systems for their own business, is limited. This is because the advantages of using information network systems are not obvious. It is unnecessary and impossible to accomplish everything by using only an information network system in Japan, if “urging self-reliance for farmers (no reliance on administration, etc.)”, “development of marketing of farm products”, and “acquirement of needs of consumers” are the ultimate goals for operating information network systems. For example, in order to achieve these goals, the establishment and management of the direct sales shops should be playing an important role in urban areas, as follows : (a) the system, which makes farmers decide the price of their own products, urges the self-reliance of farmers, (b) by shipping farm products to direct sales shops, farmers can develop new markets by selling the products such as “curved cucumber” that cannot be sold at the markets, and (c) it is very useful that farmers can know the needs of consumers by carefully observing the behaviors of consumers at the direct sale shops. In short, the computer systems and information network systems help the management of direct sale shops efficiency. On the other hand, the technical information network system is not only a supplementary method for meeting with farmers, but also an alternative method for contacting farmers by telephone. Internet sales are not the main methods for the majority of farmers, because most farmers mainly sell farm products at the markets and direct sale shops. In Japan, we shouldn’t achieve all objectives by using only information network systems. Therefore, it is very important to make clear the objectives of management of information network systems such as homepages operated by extension centers. We must think that the information network system is one of the methods for achieving the goal. To sum up, information network systems should be considered as one of the methods for urging self- reliance and the supplementary method for combining the other methods. If this point is made clear, the information network systems will contribute to the farmers’ self-reliance, the increase of farmers’ incomes, and so on, for the majority of farmers.

The Fourth Paper: MODERNIZING THE PHILIPPINE EXTENSION SERVICES THROUGH ICT (GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ESTABLISHING NETWORKING SYSTEMS AT NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND GLOBAL LEVELS – THE PHILIPPINE MODEL)

Roger F. Barroga and Luis Alejandre I. Tamani (Philippines Rice Research Institute, Science City of Munoz)

With the creation of the Open Academy for Philippine and Agriculture (OPAPA) and the Knowledge Networking Towards Enterprising Agricultural Communities (K-Agrinet), the realization of bringing the much needed agricultural modernization is soon to be achieved. It has started by developing network among the various knowledge generators and bringing their information in one information portal. These will bring the agricultural information nearer to the agricultural communities. Existing data backbones are being utilized and extended through wired and wireless media. This also extended the reach of information and marketing agricultural commodities through the internet is being realized. The agricultural extension workers are now being continually trained in the use of ICT in accessing information they need to pass on to their clientele. On-line courses would soon be offered for their career development. Continuous testing of emerging ICT is being implemented. The use of the short messaging system (SMS) is a cheaper media in disseminating information. The use of home-grown equipment is encouraged to further bring down the cost of technology.

The Fifth Paper:

FARMERS TO FARMERS TRAINING CENTER IN INDONESIA

Tohawi SH (Chairmen of the Farmer Agricultural and Rural - Training Centre, FAR-TC, Indonesia)

Farmer Agricultural and Rural – Training Centre (FAR-TC) have ever tried to insert agriculture product data into internet, but market demand was not conform to the product that we offered. KTNA (outstanding farmers’ forum) as the mother organization of FAR-TC has established the SMS centre, but we have difficulty since it needs 1,000,000 registered mobile phone numbers. It means that developing ICT networks is still expensive that farmers could no afford. In regards to the topic of the Workshop, there are 330 FAR-TC members have registered that widely spread throughout the country.

The Sixth Paper:

FARMER’S EXPERIENCE ON USING INTERNET

I Wayan Kanten (Farmer in Bali, Indonesia)

Microsoft have trained farmers on how to operate and to access internet. After participated on the training on how to use internet conducted by Microsoft Indonesia, firstly he searched prospectus buyers from the web site. Within few days, he got interested buyer that agreed with the price he offered. Within few days, he got interested buyer that agreed with the price he offered. This first impress experience encourages him to learn more about ICT. He believes that using internet for promoting his product could earn more profit with low cost, because only credible buyer that use internet to look for high quality agriculture product. He intends to open his own website soon, and he is willing to transfers his knowledge on utilization of electronic networking to other farmers.

The Seventh Paper:

ACTIVE APPLICATION OF INFORMATION NETWORKS, PRESENT AND FUTURE PROSPECT

Toshiro Takatsuka (Takatsuka Farm)

Currently, 61.2 % of Japanese farmers are using personal computers and 69 % of them are the customers of the Internet (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, Japan, MAFF, 2005). Although the reasons why they buy the personal computers are various, the majority start to use after they participate in “training courses for book-keeping for ‘blue return or self-reporting tax return”. These courses are organized by agricultural extension offices and Japan Agricultural cooperatives, in different regions. But except for the bookkeeping, farmers who are using personal computers mainly for the purpose of farm management are still limited. The paper presents farm management as a case study in relation to the application of information networks and consists of four parts: (1) reason and timing for purchasing personal computers, and how to use them in own current farm management, (2) types of information networks use, and how to use them, (3) present status and the problems, which are based on the experiences as a board operator to facilitate information communication in “AZEMICHI Network, where AZE means dykes of rice field and MICHI means road in Japanese, which is provided by Japan Agricultural Development & Extension Association, and (4) future possibilities of the development and application of the information network will be discussed and/or proposed.

The Eighth Paper:

VIETNAM AGRICULTURE EXTENSION SYSTEM AND SERVICES TO FARMERS

Ms. Vo Ngan Giang, DVM, M.Sc From 1993 up to now National Agriculture Extension have been done several activities, among others: (1) Demonstration plot and technology transfer, where thousands of demonstration pilots set up throughout the country per year; (2) Capacity building and training where hundreds of capacity building and technical training courses are organized for 5,000 extension staff and 10,000 farmers, (3) Communication and advocacy includes: (i) Publish monthly 4,500 – 5,000 Agricultural Extension Bulletins, large number of extension document and books and distributed to districts, communes and (ii) Set up website and provides daily update information for extension workers, farmers and other. In the future hopefully Vietnam agriculture extension system become strong, flexible and effective to respond to the needs of agriculture production and rural development, fit with a trend of international and regional economic integration. In addition they will bring more services to farmers.

The Ninth Paper:

HOW WE, TENHA ORGANIC FARM, USE THE INTERNET RESOURCE ?

Mr. Chen Tai-an (Director, Tenha Organic Farm, Taiwan, Chinese Taipei)

Farmers in Taiwan can get many kind of resources such as: (1) search engine: searching the knowledge farmers interested, find us, and news searching; (2) home page: information sharing, platform sharing; (3) internet store; (4) e-mail and make connection with others, reconfirm the information that you want, request some documents when you need, communication with your friends or staffs worldwide only spend few minute, saving time and money, and increase efficiency; and (5) traceability connection: find out our products information from internet. The benefit farmers got from the internet are: (1) consumers find us from the internet, (2) share our information or news to interested people; (3) sale our product from internet, (4) gather the demands of consumer, and (5) consumers place more reliance on traceability agriculture products via internet connection.

The Tenth Paper:

EXPERIENCES ON THE ULTILIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND TRAINING NETWORKING SYSTEMS IN MALAYSIA

Zulkifly Mohd. Zain (The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute)

This paper discusses the measures taken to establish direct linkages and networking systems with the various government agencies entrusted with the extension and the overall development of agriculture. The system involves development, promotion, transfer of technology, training and commercialization. It focuses on commodities such as tropical fruits, tobacco, rice, livestock and poultry, and entrepreneurship development in food processing industry. Successful agricultural technology transfer and training mechanisms involving rice and tobacco are highlighted. Farmers and large-scale operators have benefited through implementation of the technology promotion and transfer programme via the extension agencies, and direct commercialization. ICT is being used as enablers in carrying out the programme. From the examples forwarded, it could be concluded that the system of agricultural technology, transfer and training discussed is effective. ICT is important and functions as enablers. This system could be applied in some of the APEC member economies. There is a need to further enhance networking among APEC member economies especially in the areas of rural poverty eradication, capacity building and human capital development in order to ensure sustainable progress and competitiveness.

Field Visits

Field Visit was arranged on the last day of the workshop to observe: (1) Sari Makmur, the biggest coffee exporter in Medan and even most likely in Indonesia, and (2) The prospective Taman Simalem International Resort and Hotel, which has recreational areas, agro-tourism and exclusive fruits plantation as well as sport facilities and selling the incredible beautiful view of the famous lake Toba from the top of the 300 hectares hilly area in Merek, District of Karo located 75 km away from Medan. During the field visits, the participants had opportunity to interac, share information and experiences with farmers, entrepreneurs, extensionists and other interested parties on mobilize local resources and promote agribusiness and developing networking. The objects displayed, observed and discussed during the field visits, among others, were: 1. Processing and packaging coffee to export; 2. Intensive women laborers at the coffee exporter company; 3. Use of machineries which is combined with traditional tools in sorting coffee; 4. Establish networking with coffee producing farmers; 5. Prospect of agro-tourism in the North Sumatra; 6. Huge capital invested in developing the modern international hotel that combined with agro-tourism and sport facilities;

Action Plan

The previous seminar and workshops on the ATT&T Networking Systems underline the important of capacity building and farmers to farmers training. Consequently, it is the time to organize and to conduct series of training on appropriate APEC developed agricultural technology and agribusiness that have been provenance able to increase income and self- reliance of the farmers. The propose training will be started in 2007 in order to achieve the following purposes : 1. To create awareness of the existence of indigenous local technologies among APEC member economies and to build farmers motivation to actively search, inform, adapt, use and exchange those technologies;

2. To exchange and transfers the recent appropriate agricultural technology and agribusiness, which are developed by APEC member economies, and its implementation among member economies to uplift the knowledge and skill of farmers in accelerating of achieving the ultimate goal of increasing farmers’ income and self-reliance; 3. To sustain APEC activities beyond the 2006 ATT&T workshop via strengthening the role of farmers in organizing joint activity of establishing and managing website and possibility of self-funded APEC farmers meeting and exchange visits. . Referring to those targets, the participants endorsed the action plan for 2007-2008 as the following:

1. Disseminate the results of the workshop to all stakeholders and interested parties of each APEC member economies; 2. Establishing networking includes farmers’ involvement in utilizing networking system such as mobile phone and internet depend upon the needs and the availability of the communication system on the area where the farmers are doing their activities; 3. Sustaining the networking system among APEC member’s economic especially farmers; 4. Initiate farmers to farmers training through exchange visits to increase knowledge, skill and capacity building of the farmers.

Seminar Conclusion

The active discussion of the most participants and the reaffirmed relevant topic to agricultural technology transfer and training in the APEC member economies indicated and manifested the importance of technical cooperation and communication through the workshop. The workshop reaffirmed the importance of the strategies for: (i) to create awareness of indigenous local technologies; (ii) to exchange and transfers the recent appropriate agricultural technology and agribusiness, which are developed by APEC member economies; (iii) to developed ATT&T Networking Systems to sustain APEC member economies activities. In regards to these important strategies, the participants agreed with the above action plan to be conducted soon in the future. The workshop gleaned a number of “Lessons Learned” from several programs experienced and shared through the Member Economy Presentations including farmers to farmers sharing experiences then come up with the following conclusion:

1. e-Commerce in agriculture product a. E-commerce represents a new way of transaction between sellers and buyers. By utilizing information and communication technologies (ICT), transaction costs between buyers and sellers can be greatly reduced. However, the form and nature of those technologies are still under development. b. Cellular services can also provide both information and communication. It is possible to use the existing cellular services for transaction. By developing the appropriate ICT applications it makes a possible to facilitate ICT-commerce in the area where the underlying infrastructure does not adequately support the growth of internet use.

2. Developing ATT&T networking system a. One important solution to face with strong competition and enhancing environment due to global trade is developing a networking system among farmers, extensions and research institutes. b. In the information networking systems, farmers should form part of the experts network in order to provide information services to the farmers. c. The government and recognized farmer organization should have responsibility for enabling farmers, farmer organization, local people, local and central government staffs to access up to date agriculture information (prices, market, technology etc.) according to their needs. d. All objectives could not be achieved by using only information network systems. Therefore, it is very important to make clear the objectives of management of information network systems such as homepages operated by extension centers. The information network system should be considered as one of the methods for urging self-reliance and the supplementary method for combining the other methods that will contribute to the farmers’ self-reliance, the increase of farmers’ incomes, and so on, for the majority of farmers.

Closing Session

Ir. Hery Suliyanto, MM on behalf of Director General of Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Human Resource Development in his closing remark pointed out that after spent four days to fulfill all of the requirements of the workshop that started with a one-day seminar on e-commerce where we could learn and share experience on how this one could spur agribusiness either in a develop country such as USA or in a developing country like Indonesia. After that, we used two days for training on developing and managing electronic networking in which we learned how to build, to manage, to utilize and to solve problem faced on using the systems. Then we spent one day on the farmers’ forum where we can share experiences and teach each other and even explored the possibility to arrange agribusiness and its marketing. The DG hope that all participants got fruitful knowledge and skill on those matters, and disseminate to our farmers colleague within APEC member economies. Finally, he appreciate to all participants for actively participating, sharing experience and contributing brilliant ideas during the workshop particularly to farmers who was being active on farmers to farmers training and come up with the action plan for the future. On behalf of the steering committee, the DG officially declared the workshop closed.