Companionship at the Farm

At my farm I don't have the privilege of living with my family who stay at home in the City as its much easier for travel to school for Gideon. So to be out there in the jungle hearing sounds of insects from dusk gives a feeling especially crickets.

 


Urban people might be haunted with these sounds but they do sink some feelings to us farmers especially when we are alone in the wild. These are what we encounter on dark nights. But what about the day apart from farming, the weather, cooking, etc. If one is alone it must be boring especially being away from the family for a few days. I needed companions to interact with and sometimes take time to play with them. Even though we have cattle's and horses these two animal are quite huge in size and cant be around your house or get even closer due to their size.

One can be in a state of solitude if there is lack of interaction. To avoid all this fuss cats and dogs play a role with humans on this part. At the farm we are lucky to have dogs which provide security and early warning alarm for visitors but also as companions to me. A few weeks ago 2 puppies were were born to "beauty" who is one of the two dogs who are security guards in the farm.

Dairy waste an Organic Treasure

Milking sheds in Fijis dairy industry can identify a waste  collected and sell to organic farmers for liquid manure. Cow urine is valuable for farmers in organic as its usability is of high regard.

One will look stupid from the outset to collect this waste in Fiji but here we see an example in the picture below.

Its a waste but once collected could be sold for an income. There lies the challenge to milking shed boys to make an effort to contain waste (urine) when its discarded.

Not only cow urine even cow dung has also a potential to be sold to increase revenues. Recently in Fiji dairy farmers are comfortable with the increment of price on raw milk, but a little more could earn them cash.

Small holder farmers will the users of such product which organic farmers ultimately likely to procure.

Farmer's ICT Challenge

ICT training at all levels of society to support usage, innovation and buy-in are the missing element.The information bank in the web is undefined to its existence and the traffic and dissemination mediated overloads your inbox. Access to internet even  increases the concern as we challenge the ICT revolution.

We see the awareness of social media at a minimal but  Facebook usage for socializing exponentially grows. What will the future generation of Fiji use the mediums for? Current usage face alot of challenge and be discussed as the following.

The obstacles:

• access to internet and
• subject(intent) of its use

A. ACCESS TO INTERNET

Fiji authorities has been in the efforts of the digital divide attack initiatives to help Fijians keep up globally. Even NGOs have joined the cue to try and partake in bridging the information gap with internet presence. Youths using social media  currently need to join in partnership for development for a sustainable future. Internet providers providing service showcase profits from internet charged costs  but contribution for community development through ICT is minimal. 

B. INTENT of USE

Out a one country in the world, the Fiji flag portrays a count of agro produce to significantly show connection to agriculture. Agro participation from smallholder farmers and customers are limited and solutions providers need more action to address the digital divide. 

Facebook's could be the top of the list and emails is priority areas.Urban population have the edge over who are Farmers based in the rural. More focus providers should consider government initiatives for Farmers. From experience a solution identified is smartphone provision to counter which in fact is happening but not to the targeted audience. 

Recent published reports  can be viewed on this link: Vodafone Fiji 2012. So this significant highlights promotion of smartphone technology.

(Solution Provider) 

As users of such mediums are more available Farmers must be part of provision and development. This has lead awareness programs provided by SPC regional collaborating which is afoot including others not mentioned. 

Smartphone Technology is a solution in the digital divide and governments campaigns are commendable giving regulatory leeway. Consolidating all parties in agro development must be included minimizing coverage time for audience. 

Farmers produce have markets and there are intermediaries who complete the chain of markets. All players need to connect better so the other industry in our economy benefits. The impact and users network there is a hope youth of the Pacific will participates. As connectivity needs hype and the cost is another factor. There is need for program development to harness the need for connectivity of the rural community so some Farmers motives fulfilled.

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