Improving Youth Agricultural Education & Training through Mobile Video Conferencing  REMIX 

Introduction

Most of the agricultural and farming communities are mostly in the remote rural communities of Ghana but communicating timely information related to better farming practices or pricing at the local markets to such needy rural farmers is very slow or even unavailable. This makes a perfect case to explore the possibilities of applying modern technologies to enhance the effectiveness of communication and improve the interaction between urban-based agricultural experts and up and coming youth and their farm families located in remote rural communities of Ghana and other parts of Africa.

The Problem

An adequate supply of food is paramount to African population survival and skill diversification, making agriculture a first level priority but cost of providing extension services to empower rural farmers for better yields in Ghana and other parts of Africa is steeply declining . The lack of such extension services and effective innovative education and training in local farming and agriculture to empower rural Ghanaian youth is causing many of them loosing interest in persuing farming activities thus, leaving for the cities. If the youth who are the future generation are not encouraged in farming and agricultural activities then the food security in Ghana and other African countries is at risk.

Our Solution

As most rural youth lack the vital information they need to empower them in farming and agriculture either through televisions, mobile phones or computers, World Partners for Development Ghana(WPD) local field volunteers will travel to targeted Ghana rural communities at scheduled dates to interact with the youth whiles utilizing a Real Presence Video Conferencing via iPads nicknamed ‘Village iPad’ (ViP) and iphones to connect and collaborate live at multipoint face-to-face using HD audio, video and content sharing with the youth, students, extension workers, farmers and other experts to share tips and new/traditional techniques on farming and agriculture. All video conferencing will be conducted in either English or local languages. Audio and video recordings will also be made and shown in schools or posted online to enhance good farming practices.

As modern youth are more enthousiatic about innovative technologies, they will be happy to attend these programs their farm families thus,

• Encouraging many youth to be involved with farming and agricultural activities.
• Helping both youth and adult farmers to develop already known or useful traditional or new farming techniques and strategies for better yields.
• Helping farm families and youth farmers to identify available support and potentials within their locality and other localities and access them.
• Creating a platform for farmers to share ideas and resources, discuss challenges and device strategies to solving them.
• Linking farmers with appropriate partners and support groups.

Plan and Execution

WPD’s strategy is to partner with innovative technology companies like Polycom and Apple for sponsorship. Collaborative work with farmers, local government, schools, extension officers and African Rural Connect for effective program implementation and information sharing.

This idea will be started in Ghana and then to other parts of Africa. Local communites will be empowered to get their own equipment and network through micro finance programs and will also be trained on its effective operation and maintainance so that the program won’t be a nine day wonder but more sustainable.