Status of Implementation of e-Agriculture in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Book excerpt: Agriculture is becoming increasingly knowledge intensive: farmers have to make more and more complex decisions on the use of their land, the selection of the agricultural commodities they plant, the choice of markets on which to sell their agricultural products and other key decisions that impact their livelihoods and that of society. The development of ICTs is a major driver of economic growth. It is also an accelerator for innovation and change. FAO has been promoting the use of ICTs in agriculture and has focused on ICT innovation in improving agricultural production and value chains. However, innovation is an elusive combination of people, processes and technologies. Many projects put technology alone at the core of proposed solutions intended to address emerging and existing challenges, but this is not a sustainable solution in many cases. Recently, FAO and the International Telecommunication Union, have jointly prepared a National e-Agriculture Strategy Guide which aims to help countries mainstream ICTs into agriculture and develop or revitalize e-agriculture strategies in line with agricultural goals and priorities. This paper is intended to assist policy-makers and stakeholders of e-agriculture in transition economies to map the policy and technological environment in their countries, would show case e-agriculture initiatives in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia and provide with recommendations on formulation of e-agriculture strategies.