Pakistan iVan

The van hosts modest internet-ready equipment that is geared toward those not familiar with technology. Pakissan iVAN

• Provides training in use of the internet to farmers and community youth;
• orients users to agri-web sites including Pakissan.com;
• gathers feedback from farmers in order to improve efforts;
• encourages the local community to continue to connect to the internet at nearby internet cafes; and
• initiates the formation of Pakissan tele-centers.

Once conversant with the Internet and its possibilities, farmers download the latest information on weather, seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, crop diseases, marketing, and loans. For instance, commodity prices from different markets in Pakistan are posted on the Pakissan.com website and updated on a daily basis; iVan enables farmers to access this information.

Agriculture, Technology, Economic Development.

In Pakistan, 70% of the population live in rural areas, but Internet usage remains extremely low, especially outside cities. Prior to the iVan initative, farmers relied on state-run radio broadcasts or rural community coordinators for the type of information that they can now access electronically through the programme.

Many farmers who are exposed to the iVan programme are thereby enabled to use computers for the first time in their lives. At one rural government high school, a ninth-grade student remarked, "This is first time in my life that I have touched this magic equipment." Taking the high level of interest of the students and teachers into account, the Kissan Board Pakistan, who co-organisers the visit, promised to set up a computer lab at the school.

Programme organisers hope to expand the number of vans and to upgrade equipment so that fully integrated internet services with independent downlinks and communications equipment would be available.