Nairobi, 14th July, 2014. Presentation by Shahid Akbar (Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID)) at the "Plug and Play" day of the Fin4Ag conference.

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e-Krishok : An Inclusive Platform for Farmers
360 Degree solution ranging Extension to Market Linkage
Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID)
Fin4Ag Conference, Nairobi
July 14, 2014

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Introduction of BIID
BIID is a private sector initiative that
offers a range of services aimed at
development and promotion of ICT
based information and services
market in Bangladesh
It’s distinction lies in clear
understanding of issues &
opportunities to benefit the
poor with the use of ICTs and
consider local dynamics
BIID envisions in becoming a reliable
and leading enterprise offering
strategic planning, implementation
assistance and consulting services to
public, private and other initiatives in
ICT based services market of
Bangladesh and in other developing
countries
BIID’s key strategy is to ensure Making
ICT works for poor as an effective tool &
cross cutting issue. And build on the
existing system and available as well as
emerging technologies and potential
users
Inclusive
Business

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www.sme.com.bd
Proudly Bangladesh
www.ekrishok.com
Partners and Services of BIID

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BIID initiatives in e-Agriculture
e-Krishok - Extension and Market Linkage
eXtension Portal: Knowledge sharing
Extension Process Outsourcing (EPO)
Crop and Floriculture Insurance
Batighar : Shared Access Points
16250 Short Code : Voice and SMS service
Market Linkage Program (MLP)

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Why e-Agriculture?: Constraint Addressed
Access to Information and input
(Timely, Relevant, Quality, Easily)
Access to Marketing
(Price Info, Options, Linkage, Payments)

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Myth vs Reality : Access to Finance in Agriculture
Farmers are
not smart
Farming is
not
Business
Agriculture
(Profession)
is not By
Choice
MFIs can
meet the
demand of
farmers
Farmers
are not
Bankable
Project
based
initiatives
can solve
the issues ICT can solve
every problems

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Brief on e-Krishok
• BIID introduced e-Krishok as its flagship initiative
as a part of e-Agriculture
• A service to introduce ICT supported information,
advisory services & market linkage targeted to
farmers (as in crop, poultry, fisheries & livestock).
• To facilitate the role of GPCIC / UISC / Batighar /
Information centres network as development
enabler to contribute to income growth and better
living conditions of the farmers, agro-
entrepreneurs and other potential income
generating groups in rural Bangladesh
• Initial campaign was implemented BIID jointly
with GP, ACI and initially supported by Katalyst

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An
integrated
solution
Demand
Driven
Approach
ServiceBasketofe-
Krishok
Accessibilitytoinformationand
market

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Sustainability – Happy Face of Farmer

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www.sme.com.bd
Facilitate Entrepreneurship Development

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• Agriculture is the single largest producing sector of
Bangladesh economy and it comprises about 18.29%
of the country's GDP and employs around 45% of the
total labor force
• Micro and SMEs are the engine of growth
• Business is not highly acceptable profession
• Agriculture has not yet commercialized (as Business)
• Limited opportunity to create value proposition in job
• Increased educated unemployment (with low skill)
• Govt. including financial sectors are keen to support
• BIID focus on rural economy and agriculture sector
Entrepreneurship : Background

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• 18% of global population (age group 15-24)
• 35% of Bangladesh population are youth
• Youth are vibrant, dynamic & ICT adopter
• Future leaders and workforce
• Engage in different social and voluntary works
• Poverty and unemployment leading to engage
in unethical activities and social unrest
• Transformation of local economy through ICT
• Contribution to the economy with innovation
Why youth entrepreneurship important?

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BIID Services for Entrepreneurs
1. Advocacy and mobilization of required business development
services (institutionalization) to support the young entrepreneurs;
2. Identify and selection of potential youth entrepreneurs and farmers;
3. Position and create profile of entrepreneurs (Personal & Business)
through Branding & communication (Fair, campaigns and events)
4. Conduct feasibility assessment and facilitate financing schemes;
5. Develop Hand book on basics of entrepreneurship, business plan
and business ideas (Fact Sheet);
6. Facilitate partnership with relevant organizations and associations;
7. Develop communication materials (success cases & demonstrate);
8. Connect the entrepreneurs to the online resources for business
development services through www.sme.com.bd
9. Offer Advisory Services (Voice call & SMS notification) on different
value added services for the youth entrepreneurs;
10.Facilitate incubation support for the potential entrepreneurs

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CommunicationistheKey
FacilitationistheStartingpoint

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Young Farmers Needs Guide and support
services to Grow

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Major Challenges in youth Entrepreneurship
• Demand Side
– Social behavior to ‘business’
– Understanding and capacity of the entrepreneurs
– Low awareness on long term benefits
– Readiness of HR (Academic and Psychological)
• Supply Side
– Service providers approach towards micro/small business
– Complex and lengthy legal process for registration
– Gap between policy and implementation strategy
– Low awareness and motivation of stakeholders
– Availability of relevant services like access to finance,
training, QC guidelines, market linkage etc.

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Transformation of farmers to entrepreneurs
• BIID focus on ‘commercialization’ of agriculture
• Facilitate support services like Business Planning
and Profitability Assessment by using Farmbook
solution
• Capacity building of farmers to meet the demand
of the buyers in terms of quality
• Assist to prepare loan application
• Link between farmers to financial institutes
• Working with Fis to develop customized
financial products for farmers

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Financial Inclusion and e-Krishok echo system

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e-Krishok echo system .. Contd.

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e-Krishok echo system .. Contd.

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e-Krishok echo system .. Contd.

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Financial Inclusion Services in BIID
• Financial Literacy Program (FLP) for MSMEs
• Online information repository
(www.sme.com.bd and www.ekrishok.com)
• Awareness and promotional campaign – I
want to be an Entrepreneur and Smart Farmer
Smart Future
• Help desk on Business Development Services
• Business planning service through Farmbook
• Introduce customized Financial Product

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• Profiling and motivating farmers as business
• Supportive environment for innovation, access
to technology, finance & market for farmers
• Facilitate learning opportunities on access to
finance through development programs
• Customized financial products for agri-
business
• Partnership between private and public sector
Strategies and Actions Needed

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Open Discussion
Thank You