RIC-NET STAFF VISITS INFORMATION POINTS IN KABAROLE

FIELD VISIT TO KICWAMBA SUB-COUNTY INFORMATION POINT

On Tuesday 14^th February 2012, RIC-NET Assistant Information Officer visited Kicwamba Sub county Information point which is hosted by Busaiga SACCO. Busaiga SACCO is a member organization to Kabarole Information Centre and it is located in Kicwamba Sub county, Burahya county-Kabarole district. Busaiga SACCO was established mainly to support farmers to access affordable loans and timely, reliable and appropriate information to boost their farming activities.

The information shared includes; best farming practices, pest and disease control, market and price information. The center has an information resource room and a notice board which are used as avenues for information sharing to the community in addition to workshops and meetings which are held regularly. Major activities carried out at the centre are as; savings and credit, information sharing, advisory services to farmers, Horney processing and sell of agro-in puts.

The visit was an interesting one, I had a chance of meeting both Board and staff members of the SACCO who spear headed the idea of initiating an information center and shared with them RIC-NET initiatives to bridge the gaps in information sharing and integrating modern communication tools such as computers and mobile telephones in enhancing information sourcing and sharing processes. The members were introduced to various e-platforms for information sharing such as Bulky SMS system, U-report, D-group among others. Also 10 calendars of both RIC-NET and RWECO were given out to the members. The Chairperson Board Mr. Makune Clovice embraced the message and pledged to work together with RIC-NET to see that their sub-county also greatly benefit from the program and promised to assist in collection of phone numbers.

However, they requested RIC-NET to always consider them in sharing with them updated information since they have limited access to information such as news papers internet and other sources because of being in a rural area.