Info lady: The peddler of information
Bangladeshi farmers have revolutionized agricultural production in the country. Before independence, Bangladesh had to import food. Although the population rose and the cultivable land has reduced, our farmers remarkably kept on producing more and more and 160 million people still survives. With the help of technology, information, research and policy, Bangladesh has been able to increase agricultural yield. If we want to move onward from here, we need further technological innovation, a strategy and most importantly, access to information.
If we really want to enrich the farming community and their livelihood status, we need to create access to information and technology services based on farming, education, health etc. Information can have a revolutionary impact. Today I bring to you an innovative example of spreading the wealth of information and technology. I visited Jalalpur village in Netrokona district a few days back. A private organization named ARBAN is giving info and tech-service to the rural community here. They believe the country will be led towards holistic development through the dissemination of information. Their info ladies or the 'Tothyakolyani' are spreading knowledge across the village- they use laptop, ride on bicycles and sit with rural people on their home yards, sometimes on fields, to know their problems and figure out solutions by the power of ICT.
The info ladies are from Jalalpur. Since their roots are tied with the village, they know the rural community and needs very well. They know the people and the job becomes easier for them. I spoke to the villagers to know how they look at the job of the info-ladies.
“Have you seen those who roam around the village on bicycles?”
“Yes.”
“What's their purpose?”
“They're providing valuable information on different issues- health, farming, education, etc.”
People gather around a home yard. People concentrate on an info lady who comes to them on a bicycle, and they listen to her.
“My coconuts are not healthy. They fall before they grow,” said one farmer.
“It's a common problem. Let me show you a video on this”, replied the info lady. And showed him a complete video on this problem through her laptop.
“How do you get benefited by the info ladies?” I asked a villager.
“We get different information on education, health and farming. It really helps us a lot”, he replied.
“What else do you learn?” I asked.
“We learn how to feed our children properly”, she replied.
This is how the light of knowledge is spreading across villages. The agenda is to bridge modern technology and rural people so that they have access to information. With the help of the info ladies, each farm family of the village has been empowered. They know how to get answers to their questions. The catalyst behind this great achievement is Dnet, locally implemented by ARBAN - Activity for Reformation of Basic Needs, who also trains each info lady at their ICT Centre. To ensure that people get information on agriculture, education and health, ten info ladies are working in Purbodhola upazila- they are often known as peddlers of information.
In addition to laptops, the info ladies also use primary health check-up tools. They determine crop diseases and carry necessary resolving tools. They have agricultural and educational information on their laptop. I had the privilege to talk with the info ladies.
“I am helping people so that they know their blood pressure. I can also administer pregnancy test, weight and diabetes checks.”
“What about you?” I asked another info lady.
“I inform farmers about different pest attacks on crops.”
“You are giving the rural people information on health, education and farming sector. Since my concentration is on farming… do you know me?”
“Yes, we have your videos on our laptops!”
“Are my programmes part of the info service too?
“Definitely.”
The first thing that came to my mind is whether the agricultural information service of Department of Agricultural Extension can provide information to the rural farmers like this, if they are trained to do so and have the equipment.
Regarding the pesticide free crop production and soil health testing, these ladies have updated information. Their longtime practice has created the urge. They are now well adept and cordial in inspiring the rural farmers. Most of the info ladies have chosen this profession for extra income beside their studies. However some people in the rural areas don't like their job due to backward thinking. These women are moving onward crossing all these hurdles.
“When the people first saw a lady riding bicycle, did they accept it?” I asked an info lady.
“It was not accepted at all. Many villagers didn't like it”, she replied.
“Many people comment on what we do, but we always neglect them. We do our work. We know its importance,” another info lady added.
Livelihood status has changed in the rural region due to these info ladies. Farmers are more successful in overcoming their production issues.
I spoke to Executive Director of ARBAN, Syed Arifuzzaman regarding the achievements of his organization. “Our info ladies offer diversified service for the rural people. People can easily get the education results; they know where to get admitted. This eventually brings up the rate of literacy”, said Arifuzzaman. “In the past, farmers used ancient technologies. Now they can easily get the latest and specific information on treating their crops. Farmers are now more interested on organic fertilizer use”, he added.
Info ladies have a direct impact in ensuring the right to information. They inform the farmers about the farm subsidies. The service they provide helps different members of the society. ARBAN became a finalist of an event called Youth Solutions, organized by The World Bank and Microsoft, held in Sri Lanka. They received the Manthan Award in the category of Digital Inclusion for Development in 2011, held in Delhi. Although many people in Bangladesh don't know about them, the organization's achievement are already well known in the South Asia region. In 2011, they also won a National Digital Innovation Award, becoming an e-livelihood champion. It was awarded by the Government of Bangladesh.
The world evolves every single day with the power of information, we are more connected and integrated than ever before. But, those who are still out of reach of access to information services are falling behind. The info ladies are truly an exceptional example of delivering information in a handy way. This is not the picture that you see all over Bangladesh, but it could be. My story today is an example of successful use of ICT in a remote village of only one district of Bangladesh. If this model was replicated and if it was spread across the country, only then we can reach the peak of revolutionary success. This service can easily be adopted by the the government. Many who aren't able to receive information from UDC (Union Digital Centre) can easily be given this service. The SAAOs (Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer) can be trained with necessary tools and they can easily be attached with such information service. Private organizations who are working with information services can also follow this great example and create their own info ladies.
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