Planning and Coporate Services

ICT Observatory
ICTs are one of CTA's cross-cutting issues. Our ICT Observatory was created in 1998 to study and monitor suitable technologies for use in information and communication management (ICM). Its main objectives are to:

• identify key ICT issues and strategies relevant to ACP agricultural and rural development

• improve the pool of knowledge and expertise available in this area

• identify projects and expertise that could assist in defining strategies

• provide a mechanism for monitoring technical developments which could benefit stakeholders in ACP agricultural and rural development

Observatory meetings have been held annually since 1999. The first focused mainly on the role of the Observatory itself. The meeting in 2000 looked at technologies for wireless access to the Internet via satellite. In 2002 the topic was 'Gender and agriculture in the information society.' The 2003 Observatory meeting continued this trend by looking at how ICTs can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural extension. In 2004, the Observatory focused on another cross-cutting issue - youth; the meeting, entitled 'Giving youth a voice', explored the role of ICTs in improving the livelihoods of rural youth in ACP countries.

The meeting in 2005 focussed on ICTs for Natural Resources Management.

Sponsored by CTA, participation in the Observatory is by invitation only.

We publish reports of our ICT Observatory meetings; you can find these in the E-Catalogue.