Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty The First Mile Project United Republic of Tanzania An IFAD initiative supported by the Government of Switzerland

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty

IFAD’s approach to ICT Focus on people and not technology Connectivity is only the tip of iceberg ICT is a tool not a solution Emphasis on communication Process more important than access Relevant content more important than machines

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty Innovative approach to learning and sharing Documenting learning and project impact through photography, video and text Thematic approach focusing on: –overall conditions for meaningful use of ICTs by rural poor people –geographic, economic and cultural isolation –learning and its impact on livelihoods of rural poor people –responsiveness to community demand

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty The term ‘First Mile’ Bridging the connectivity gap that separates a village with no electricity and no telephone line from the nearest online computer

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty

First Mile project Rural communities as the starting point of connectivity and not the end point Two-year pilot project : –Supported by Government of Switzerland –Implemented in collaboration with the IFAD funded Agricultural Marketing Systems Development Programme (AMSDP) in Tanzania –Technical assistance provided by the International Support Group

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty AMSPD 7 year programme for a total of US$42.3 million with an IFAD loan of US$16.3 million Goal is to increase rural poor people’s food security and incomes by improving the structure and performance of the country’s crop marketing systems

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty First Mile project objectives Help small producers, processors, traders and others in the market chain to: –Communicate better –Form partnerships –Learn from each other

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty

It is about People Technology Sharing and learning

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty The challenges Access by rural poor people to: –information and knowledge and to ICTs such as mobile phones, the Internet and –other key people in the market chain, including traders, processors and even consumers

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty

Emerging lessons Build collaboration before infrastructure Blend the old and the new When local innovation drives technology, it also drives change Local knowledge is relevant knowledge

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty Next steps Use ICTs to support learning: –Training of learning groups on use of internet-based learning support service –Assess level of local interest and take actions to build market chains

Enabling the rural poor to overcome poverty The First Mile Project United Republic of Tanzania An IFAD initiative supported by the Government of Switzerland