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

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

M ultiusers: The First M

Multiusers Private FarmsCollective/State FarmsGovernmentAgro IndustriesConsumers

Multisource: The Second M

Multidisciplinary : The Third M

Information Sources Rural Information and Knowledge Development Multisource Multidisciplinary Information 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

M ultimedia: The Fourth M

Rural Information and Knowledge Dissemination — Using Multimedia PrintRadioVideoComputer TV Exhibitions & Fairs

FEED- BACK FROM 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 Research Institutes Local/Foreign Data Banks Client Information Needs Assessment PrintRadioVideoComputerTV Exhibitions & Fairs Multimedia Multiusers Private FarmsCollective/State FarmsGovernmentAgro IndustriesConsumers Rural Information and Knowledge System Feedback Multisource Multidisciplinary

Press Video Center Information Sources MOA Depts Universities Russian Research Academies Agricultural Institutions Foreign Univ. Int’l Libraries International Research Institutes Local/Foreign Data Banks Client Information Needs Assessment PrintRadioVideoComputerTV Multimedia Multiusers Federal MOA Departments Oblast-MOA Departments Institutes Ministry of Agriculture: Press Video Center Feedback Multisource Multidisciplinary Agricultural Producers

Results

Present Conditions -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

Present Conditions -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 hardware Incorporate 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 State To Develop and Sustain A 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 …. A GRICULTURE TO ……… Z OOLOGY

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 element to 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 element to 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

Information is just one element to 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