Web-based Information Delivery System for Tilapia for Sustainable Development of Aquaculture in Honduras

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Web-based Information Delivery System for Tilapia
for Sustainable Development of Aquaculture in
Honduras

• Institutionalizing Aquacultural Development
• in Honduras
• Brahm Verma, Daniel Meyer
• Tom Popma, Joseph Molnar, E. William Tollner
• University of Georgia, Escuela Agricola
  Panamericana El Zamorano, Auburn University
• Collaborator The Red de Desarrollo
  Sostanible-Honduras (RDS-HN)
• Funded by PD/A CRSP

For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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Institutionalizing Aquaculture Development in
Honduras

• To build capacity or foundation of
  decision-making in Honduras for
  self-determination...
• To have the capacity to evaluate alternatives
  with aquaculture for
• small and medium scale farmers.

For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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How do we make decisions?
What do we need to know? Who knows and what do
they know? What are desired future
conditions? How to predict? Is decision-making a
systematic process?
For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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(No Transcript)
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Knowledge ltgt Memorize, Remember and Repeat
Knowledge Find, Learn technique to create and
Use
For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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How Do People learn?
Written text Voice Vision Visualization
Feedback Reflection Revision
For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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How Do People learn?
Tools of Learning Written text Books,
Pamphlets, Voice Lectures, Radio, Vision Photo
s, Sketches, Visualization Movies, TV,
Models, Feedback Data, Reflection Process
data, Revision Update knowledge
For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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How Do People learn?
Tools of Learning Written text Books,
Pamphlets, Voice Lectures, Radio, Vision Pho
tos, Sketches, Visualization Movies, TV,
Models, Feedback Data, Reflection Process
data, Revision Update knowledge
C O M P U T E R
For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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What are the obstacles for small- and
medium-size farmers to make informed decision?
Finding knowledge Learning tools to
create Ability to implement
For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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Some Important Features

• Easy accessibility of date and information
• Rapid availability
• Few barriers in distribution and receiving
  inputs
• Easy update of data and information
• Accurate data and information
• Ability to respond to questions
• Ability to interact with stakeholders
• Ability to assess performance

For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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What is our model?

• Train the trainers Make local NGOs
  knowledgeable
• who then teach the small farmers.
• Make a local educational institution(s) capable
  to
• developing and extending new knowledge.
• Use electronic information network for
  distributing data
• and information to local trainers/NGOs.
• Use the Web to create a network of communication
• among local NGOs and policy makers.
• Receive input from stakeholders and update date
  and
• information. Share local experiences through
  live chats
• and bulletin boards.
• Ask an expert and learn the latest news/advances.
• Beat the odds. Overcome poor infrastructure by
  wireless.

For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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Goal
To develop a system of information delivery by
using the Web-based technology for making
available knowledge on Tilapia culture and
management to farmers, NGOs, policy makers,
businesses, consumers and other stakeholders.
We named this WIDeST Web-based
Information Delivery System for Tilapia
For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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Categories of Information

• Ponds
• Biology of Tilapia
• Fingerling Production
• Growing-out of Tilapia
• Pathology and Diseases
• Water Quality and Aquaculture
• Aquaculture
• Fertilization
• Fish Culture
• Policulture
• Production Quality
• Production Systems and Costs
• Tilapia and Development
• News and Events
• Fish Gallery

For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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Key Players
Zamorano Dan Meyer is providing leadership in
coordinating inputs, organizing events for
introducing WIDeST to local NGOs and
decision-makers and conducting training
sessions. RDS-HN Raquel Isaula, et al. are
providing technical service, for developing the
Website, providing computer resources and
network, updating materials, responding/directing
inquiries, and presenting hands-on sessions and
publicizing. Auburn University Joe Molnar and
Tom Popma providing important literature for the
Website. U of Georgia Bill Tollner has
developed a pond design model now available on
WIDeST. Brahm Verma providing overall concepts
for developing the use of Web for enabling
knowledge availability for decision-making for
low-income countries. PD/A CRSP having provided
funds to support this project
For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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Some Observations
October 1999 - Learned about RDS-HN July 2000
Developed the concept of WIDeST August 2000
Engaged RDS-HN in the project October 2000
Received input from stakeholders December 2000
Additional input from stakeholders March 2001
Inaugurated the Website and provided hands-on
session to attendees July 2001 Engaged NGOs in
a session to experience WIDeST and receive
their input. August 2001 Present to ANDAH
conference
Since March 2001 the Website has been visited by
over 7000 individuals, over 170 have used ponds
model, over 85 individual inquiries and conducted
4 chat sessions.
For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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A description of content of the WIDeST will be
presented By Roberto Tinoco of RDS-HN after the
discussion session and coffee at 1800 2030.
RDS-HN has set up a three computer network
to demonstrate and provide a brief hands-on
experience. We anticipate further developing the
quality of content, that is more useful for the
NGOs. We plan using the Website for conducting
training sessions in the next 18 months.
We believe the Web-based model for providing
data and information to small farmers is going to
be one of the most effective ways for creating an
environment leading to self-development in
low-income economies.
For Presentation at the VI Central American
Aquaculture Symposium, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
August 23, 2001 - Brahm Verma, UGA
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If you click on
http//acuacultura-ca.org.hn
You will
see
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In the maze of data, finding information, In the
haze of information, finding knowledge, In the
daze of knowledge, finding wisdom. Brahm
Verma, April 2000