Info-mediaries and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Agriculture and Extension
Myanmar started installing ICT tools/applications more than ten years ago. Presently, there are over 250 ICT companies in the country. The ICT coverage for some of Myanmar’s rural areas was initiated by the Post and Telecommunications Department (PTD), which is organizationally under the Myanmar Post and Communication (MPT). A multi-purpose community tele-center was set up at Phaunggyi village which is located about 48 miles from Yangon. The center is assisted by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (TDB), and its purpose is to improve living standard of people living in rural areas. The government plans to install about 6,000 small satellite terminals at remote areas within three years or so.
According to the World Bank, in 2010, the number of mobile cellular subscriptions (per 100 people) in Myanmar was 1.23. During the same year, the number of Internet users (per 100 people) in the country was 0.22.
There has been talk of establishing an e-agriculture information center in Myanmar to efficiently publish and share essential information for agriculture business. The center will serve as the main source of agricultural product distribution information. Also, a website will be launched for information sharing.
According to the extension management, publications are available on-line, around 60 to 65 television programs are telecast per month, and about16 radio programs are broadcast per month. In addition a huge number of information bulletins and fact sheets are also distributed among farmers. Other than that, there is no evidence of any significant modern ITC application in support of extension programs being used.