The interactive ICTforAg forum, held online on 9-10 March, looked at how information technology can make agriculture more resilient in low- and middle-income countries. Speakers explained Web3 as a decentralised model of the internet based on blockchain that focuses on user ownership.
Representatives from Digital Green said farmer data is often kept in systems run by companies or governments and this can limit farmers' choices. They described FarmStack, a set of tools that lets farmers and data providers set rules for sharing, including how long and with whom data is shared.
Delegates also heard that Digital Green's video service, in local languages, has reached about 2.3 million farmers in countries such as India, Ethiopia and Kenya.
Difficult words
- decentralised — not controlled by one organisation or person
- blockchain — a secure digital record system
- ownership — legal right to control or use something
- representative — person who speaks for a groupRepresentatives
- resilient — able to recover after problems
- provider — a person or group that gives servicesproviders
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think videos in local languages help farmers learn more? Why or why not?
- Should farmers decide how long their data is shared? Explain briefly.
- Have you ever used the internet to learn a skill? Where did you watch or read the information?
