Surveys with Farmer Communities in Melsiripura, Dambahera and Rideegam

The survey team comprised Nuwan from LIRNEasia, myself from Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (WUSL) and team of students affiliated with the ICT Centre of WUSL. We surveyed the local communities affiliated with the Department of Export Agriculture (DOEA). Basically there are two campaigns at DOEA and it cover the Melsiripura and Rideegam Divisional Secretariats of Kurunegala District. The previous survey tools (surveys with farmer communities in Batticaloa) were practiced.

                                      Survey conducted in DOEA- North

                                        Survey conducted in DOEA- North

Knowledge Mobilization Innovations ..

http://www.ktecop.ca/resource-library/presentations/knowledge-mobilization-innovations/

Running Campaigns..

There are four campaigns running in different locations with the identified three sponsors namely Department of Export Agriculture (DOEA), Rangiri Radio and Janathakshan. Each campaign runs on a separate Frontlinesms instance. All  technology stewards were trained for technologies used in campaign at the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. 

DOEA North campaign started on 08 April 2014. There were around 20 farmers registered in the system in same day. The Frontlinesms instance is installed on a laptop computer at DOEA sub office situated in Govijana Sewa Center in Melsiripura. Mr. Chandana is the tech-steward operates there and Mrs. Gunasekara assisting him for official works. Both were trained as Technology Stewards in Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. This campaign main target audience is Ginger, Pepper and Cinnamon farmers.

DOEA South campaign started on 28 April 2014. This setup is installed on a desktop computer in DOEA main office, Kurunegala. Mr. Mahendra and Mr. Upul serve as the tech stewards there. This campaign main target audience is Ginger, Pepper and Cinnamon farmers. In this season Ginger became most prominent export agriculture crop among farmers because of having high market price in last season.

       Mr. Chandana – DOEA North Tech steward            Mr. Mahendra, Upul – DOEA South Tech stewards

 Janathakshan campaign started on 02 May 2014. Mr Kamalaraj serves as the tech stewards there.  The Frontlinesms instance is initially installed at RDS office building at Kathiraweli. It’s configured as solar powering turnkey solution. Later this Frontlinesms instance is moved to the tech-steward’s home at Batticaloa and now running it from there.

Rangiri campaign started on 06 May 2014. Mr. Buddhika, Mr. Ranga and Mr. Dilanka serves as the tech stewards there.  The Frontlinesms instance is installed on a desktop at their office building at Dambulla. Basically this campaign interacted with listener groups. They use this system to song request specially to dedicate these songs to their friends and family members.

       Mr. Kamalaraj – Janathakshan Tech steward     Mr. Ranga & Dilanka – Rangiri Radio Tech stewards