“Mobile Telephony in Rural Areas” COME IN AND FIND OUT!

JOIN our Latest Forum on “Mobile Telephony in Rural Areas” 17-28 November 2008

on www.e-agriculture.org

… over 150 active participants from 50 nations …

… contributions from small farmers, private sector and NGO workers, scientists and academics, and governmental representatives …

This Forum examines the challenges that rural communities face in enhancing the benefits of mobile telephony, and looks at some examples of interesting initiatives and good outcomes from around the globe.

Here’s what some of the participants are saying…

“Today, mobile telephony are being used for providing information to the farmers on pest advisory system, branchless banking, agricultural market arrivals and prices through SMS and multimedia supported system in many Asian countries. […] However, there is a lot more we can do in this field to improve the plight of small and marginal farmers with the help of innovative products/technologies customized for rural sector. This is an important forum where we can all discuss the challenges and strategies for the implementation of mobile telephony in rural areas.” – Sapna A. Narula, Assistant Professor of the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, India.

“The forum has provided a great opportunity to hear about creative uses for mobile phones from people across the world. From college professors in Uganda to farmers in Bangladesh, everyone is reporting that phones have indeed become a ubiquitous source of information reaching even remote rural areas. Their potential is really captured by all of the suggestions being made for their use and the participation of many field experts will likely make them happen.” – Hélène Martin, Grameen Foundation Technology Center, www.applab.org

Subject Matter experts include:
· Pete Cranston, ICT and New Media in Development Consultant;
· Laura M. Drewett, Partner Director, BusyLab Ltd.;
· Jawahar Kanjilal, Global Head of Emerging Market Services, Services & Software, Nokia;
· Christian Kreutz, Consultant, Knowledge Activist;
· AHM Sultanur Reza, Additional General Manager and Head, Community Information Center, Grameenphone Ltd.;
· Luca Servo, Communication for Development Consultant, Research and Extension Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations;

· Nigel Scott, Gamos Ltd.
With Charlotte Masiello-Riome, Communications Expert and e-Agriculture.org Coordinator; and Michael Riggs, Information Management Specialist for the Asia-Pacific region, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Join in this exciting forum!
If you haven’t yet registered on the e-agriculture.org platform, click here.
Go to www.e-agriculture.org, log in, and click on the forum section!
Any questions, please write to info@e-agriculture.org