On September 11^th Friday, Sarvodaya-Fusion launched an online trading platform named FarmerNet (www.farmer.lk) to streamline the trading of produce by small scale farmers. The initiative uses mobile phones to connect buyers and sellers through a virtual trading floor using SMS technology. The process is very simple; a seller sends a SMS with information on available quantity, expected price, and quality and expiry date about produce for sale to an online database while wholesalers also send their requirements through a SMS to the same database. An algorithm compares the variable and when a match is found, sends a SMS to both parties with information on produce to be traded and contact details. The transactions can also be tracked on the FarmerNet website.

The premise of the initiative is to create an efficient marketplace, using information technology to reduce transaction costs. The buyers and sellers can exchange information about produce efficiently while bypassing middlemen. FarmerNet is a culmination of a journey that started by Sarvodaya- Fusion in 2006 with the partnership of volunteers, industry experts, and NGOs. A brief time line:

• 2006 - Fusion set up Agri-clinic project, as part of the Village Information Centre (VIC) initiative. Initial feedback suggested farmers were overwhelmed by the complexity of using available IT systems.

• 2007 - Potential of a mobile based solution was first surfaced at a presentation by LIRNEasia at National Telecentre Alliance conference.

• 2008 FarmerNet project was conceived.

-      National Development Bank pioneered the eZ Pay mobile banking system, proving that a mobile solution is a viable option.

-      Spot Trading Concept, the core strategy underpinning the trading platform is developed under the auspices of Sarvodaya-UK.

-      In conjunction with Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Services (SEEDS), Fusion carries out a pilot testing project with rural farmers & small traders at Nuwara Eliya. The results confirm the potential of FarmerNet as a viable enterprise.

• 2009 Farmnet initiative is implemented

-      Farmernet completes the final beta testing and declares the platform ready for implementation.

-      A public awareness programme is initiated in preparation for the launch of FarmerNet.

FarmerNet is another pioneering project in Sri Lanka, created by Sarvodaya-Fusion to promote the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for the benefit of rural communities.  Prototype development was sponsored by ICTA (ICT Agency of Sri Lanka), and implemented in partnership with Saber Technologies, and Lanka Bell Pvt Ltd.

Posted by: Harsha Goonewardana

FarmerNet blog:  http://farmernet.wordpress.com/

FarmerNet flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39690621@N05/

Theory of Change (Impact Assessment) discussion paper: (Sept 2009)

As a non-profit social enterprise, Fusion pays serious attention to recognize the social impact that has been generated by its activities. ‘Theory of Change’ is the most recent report that captures the Social Impact generated over the period of April 2008 to March 2009. The document analyses in terms of:

1. social impact on Village Community

2. impact at Individual level

3. Impact distribution across the Country

4. impact on telecentres

5. Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis.

Read the report at following link:

theory-of-change.pdf

Fusion Research Publication on  WiFi applications at Last mile>>

Noist at Last Mile (Research Publication) - 2008

The first-ever research publication by Fusion, titled “Noise at the Last Mile”, has been ceremonially launched at the Partnership Pavilion at GK3 Malaysia. The research publication, which was dedicated to the late Prof. V. K. Samaranayake, is a synthesis of multiple socio-anthropological and technological research projects carried out by four independent research teams on two ‘Virtual Villages’ implemented in Meewala of the Gampaha district and Kuda Oya of the Nuwara Eliya district in Sri Lanka.

Late Prof. Samaranayake’s extensive contributions to the ICT sector were acknowledged with great respect by the guests invited to the occasion, where the book was presented by Executive Director of Sarvodaya Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne to Prof M. S. Swamainathan, Chairman of MSSRF of India; Prof. Michael Clarke, Director of ICT4D of IDRC, Canada; Dr. Laurent Elder, Managing Director of Pan Asia of IDRC and Dr. Richard Fuchs, Regional Director of East Asia of IDRC.

Representing the partner institutions were Mr. Harsha Wijewardane of the University of Colombo, School of Computing, Dr. Ananya Raihan, Director of D.Net Bangladesh, and Mrs. Leelangi Wanasundera, Director of the Centre for Women Research (CENWOR). Mr. Phet Sayo and Mr. Frank Tulus of IDRC also attended the event, which was sponsored by IDRC Pan Asia.

Global Knowledge 3rd Conference, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from the 11th to the 13th of December, was the largest ICT for Development gathering of 2007, and involved the participation of over 1500 global community. The conference was organized by Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP), on which Fusion is the elected Regional Coordinator for South Asia.

In addition to the book launch, Fusion’s exhibition stall providing information about Virtual Village project achievements and the other on-going projects of Sarvodaya-Fusion was a major attraction at the event.

The GKP-South Asia Pavilion, organized by Fusion with the sponsorship of ICTA of Sri Lanka, demonstrating the partnership spirit of ICTA and Sarvodaya-Fusion has been admired by many regional members.

Two short films about Fusion were shown during the ICT4D Film Festival organized by CSDMS of India as a pre-event on the 9th and 10th of December.

Dr. Harsha Liyanage, Managing Director of Fusion, and Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne participated in panel discussions on the broader contributions of Sarvodaya in the ICT4D sector. Among many publications, four books launched at GK3 presented the diverse ICT4D project engagements of Sarvodaya.

Read the book online (pdf) >> Noise at the Last Mile