TRIP REPORT
AricaLink and ICRAF in Kenya
August-September 1997
Jeffrey A. Cochrane, USAID/AfricaLink Advisor
October 10, 1997
The AfricaLink Advisor visited Kenya as part of an East Africa assessment exercise. The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate the effectiveness of the AfricaLink program in Kenya, and to discuss with implementing partners and targeted network members their suggestions for improvements.
The International Centre for Research on Agroforestry (ICRAF) has received $340,000 to date to facilitate networking in the region. Funds are to support agricultural research activities generally, broadly defined to include environmental and natural resource management networks. ICRAF was selected by USAID as the implementing institution in East Africa because of its extensive knowledge of key networks in the region, particularly those associated with the Association for the Strengthening of Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA).
Funds for AfricaLink/ICRAF are from the Productive Sector Growth and the Environment (PSGE) Division of USAID’s Sustainable Development (SD) Office. The Office is in the USAID Africa Bureau in Washington. Funds were delivered to ICRAF as part of their ongoing relationship with the USAID Global Bureau.
The ICRAF project manager, Mr. Michael Hailu, was asked to recommend sites in Kenya to be visited as part of the assessment. He was asked to identify a range of sites, from places where implementation has been quite positive, to problematic sites, along with sites at which could be discussed possible new activities.
Nairobi, Friday, August 29, 1997, 8:30am
Peter Ewell
International Potato Center (CIP)
Regional Representative, Sub-Saharan Africa
PO Box 25171
Nairobi, Kenya
Email p.ewell@cgnet.com
Email Cip-nbo@cgnet.com
Tel 254-2-632054
Fax 254-2-630005
Dr. Ewell is a key networking informant for ICRAF. He is both a donor representative and a key member of the African Highlands Initiative and of the PRAPACE network, and is thus well situated to provide to ICRAF a contact list of key organizations in the region associated with his projects. Mr. Hailu of ICRAF uses these lists as the basis for targeting support for basic Internet connectivity. As the connectivity program of AfricaLink proceeds in the region, Mr. Hailu provides regular reports to Dr. Ewell.
Dr. Ewell is concerned about the quality of local Internet service providers. Initially, after an evaluation of local options, ICRAF selected FormNet as the local provider of choice for network members in Kenya targeted by AfricaLink, although some network members requested and were allowed to secure Internet access through a competing company, the African Regional Center for Computing (ARCC).
There was a misunderstanding. Dr. Ewell expressed the belief that ICRAF was somehow competing with ARCC. The situation was discussed and the matter was clarified. ICRAF simply recommended FormNet, and has indeed funded some network members to secure service through ARCC. Dr. Ewell offered the recommendation that ARCC was a more reliable service provider in Kenya.
Dr. Ewell requested improvements in the quality of AfricaLink data reported to him on targeted network members. He asked that in addition to email addresses, he also be provided some indication of Internet access quality for each site. An annotation in the database would be helpful, in which could be placed comments on the nature of the email connection (e.g. on an individual’s desktop vs. service via a pool secretary) and reliability (e.g. the last time the email connection was verified).
In response to this suggestion, a description of the newly revised AfricaLink Directory was presented. It was explained that it would now be possible for Dr. Ewell himself, or some other designated person in his networks, to maintain AfricaLink database records via the Web directly on the USAID server in Washington. Dr. Ewell expressed enthusiasm for this procedure, and volunteered to maintain his network's records. Pending procedural discussions with ICRAF, a login name and password are scheduled to be delivered to network representatives in October.
Dr. Ewell explained that access to electronic mail has transformed the way networks undertake their affairs in Africa. He specifically noted that representatives of the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in the region can now be included more readily in proposal preparation. Proposals can quickly be circulated for comment. In the past, there was rarely time for more than one iteration of comments, given the slowness of postal mail and the unreliability of fax. He observed that fax is particularly problematic in locations with power supply problems, whereas the technology of email allows messages to remain in a queue on a server until power is restored and the transmission is accomplished.
Dr. Ewell offered these recommendations:
- Be stricter in demanding contracted services from Internet service providers (ISPs). The suggestion raises a number of procedural issues. Should ICRAF be contracting directly with ISPs? In other regions AfricaLink simply provides funds to individual stations and lets them contract directly with ISPs. ICRAF is now moving toward this procedure. Under this alternative method, individual stations themselves become responsible for assuring good service with their local provider. The AfricaLink Help Desk is available to assist.
- Consider subsidizing subscriptions to sites for more than the year presently allowed under the project, since some sites are receiving support but have not had operational email for the entire year. Funds allocated to longer subsidies for existing sites will not be available to fund connectivity at new sites. This is a judgment call that will presumably be made by ICRAF on a case by case basis. In general, the monthly subscription cost did not seem to be a problem in Kenya, with most stations saying they could easily afford the bills.
- Provide an update on connected network sites at least every six months, online but also in print. The new Directory will hopefully satisfy this recommendation. Printouts can easily be made not only in Washington but also via the Web.
Nairobi, Friday, August 29, 1997, 10am
Daniel O. Nyamai
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KeFRI)
Principal Research Scientist
PO Box 20412
Nairobi, Kenya
Email Nyamaikefriaf@form-net.com
Tel 254-154-33530/32891/2/3
Fax 254-154-32844
There are two email accounts at the KeFRI headquarters complex, one with ARCC in the Director's office, and the other with Form-Net in Dr. Nyamai's office. There are perhaps as many as 60 scientists on site, of which perhaps 30 have ready access to email. Dr. Nyamai's email account is generally most readily available to his own "team" or unit within KeFRI. He reports receiving perhaps 4 or 5 email messages daily, of which perhaps half are for himself and the rest for others. The unit has three computers, one in a lab, one with a secretary, and one in his office for email.
The cost of the Director's account works out to about $33 per month, confirmed by a telephone call to the Director's secretary. He is not sure of the costs for his Form-Net account, as these are paid by ICRAF directly. However, if costs are even as much as $100 a month, they are affordable given the alternative of using fax, phone, or courier. This would be in addition to the expense already incurred of about $100 per month for the direct telephone line into his office. There are three direct lines for all of KeFRI, plus a line to a central switchboard with extensions in most offices.
Email permits international contacts. This is virtually impossible otherwise due to costs for fax, phone, and courier. The system is used primarily for communications with European partners, though also with the USA and elsewhere in Africa. Most communications are either scientific exchanges or logistical arrangements for visits, conferences, and meetings.
Dr. Nyamai attempted to demonstrate a connection with Form-Net during the interview. It is his secretary who is generally responsible for the system. Her attempt at a connection was not successful. A software/operating system error was generated indicating failure to load a DLL. Dr. Nyamai assessed this as a "line fault". He did note that the software had recently been upgraded.
KeFRI works closely with ICRAF under the AFRENA project, with diminishing USA funding, but with increasing EU funding. Dr. Nyamai would very much like his work in this network to be facilitated through better national email links. KeFRI has six regional centers and twelve field stations. Only one of these presently has email access. For the others, telephone calls at about $1 per three-minute call are the principal means of communication. All of these centers and stations presently have computers and telephones, so upgrades for email service should be relatively straightforward provided the quality of telephone lines is sufficient.
It was explained that AfricaLink's present mandate extends to regional networks. However, Dr. Nyamai was assured that his request for assistance with national connectivity would be forwarded to the USAID bilateral mission in Nairobi. AfricaLink could certainly facilitate in the event that USAID/Nairobi chooses to assist.
Nairobi, Friday, August 29, 1997, 11:30am
Stephen M. Nandwa
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)
National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL)
PO Box 14733
Nairobi, Kenya
Email Soil@arcc.or.ke
Tel 254-2-444255
Fax 254-2-446722
Dr. Nandwa is the African Highlands Initiative (AHI) national coordinator. His is the first email account to be installed at the NARL, which has the most scientists (90) of any KARI center, and which hosts six distinct projects. Of the 25 AHI scientists on Dr. Nandwa's team, three make use of email. Dr. Nandwa himself is the principal user. Two secretaries operate the system, having been trained for two weeks by their service provider, ARCC.
Email is the sole use of the system to date, though Web browsing is installed and feasible. Dr. Nandwa and staff were unaware of the existence or function of Netscape on their system. A connection was established after three attempts -- a busy exchange signal was heard on the first two, suggesting a problem with KPTC, not with ARCC. Dr. Nandwa's computer operator, Prista Kkonge, observed that this was typical during the hours from 9am to 3pm. Upon establishing a PPP link with Trumpet Winsock, Ms. Kkonge was shown how to start Netscape, and several minutes of curious surfing then ensued.
Email has virtually eliminated regular mail and courier to connected domestic correspondents, e.g. ICRAF HQ, ICRAF/Masenu, and Embu. Internationally, the service enables new activities. For example, Dr. Nandwa recently worked with Ann Stroud, who is in Uganda, on a last-minute proposal for funding. This type of collaboration would not have been possible without email. He notes problems with some of his African correspondents. For example, the account of the AHI liaison in Ethiopia does not appear to be working.
Dr. Nandwa is not aware of the costs of his system. Installation and equipment were provided by ICRAF/AfricaLink, and the monthly bill is paid from the ICRAF grant. Paying a cost in the $150 to $200 range would certainly be value for money.
Nairobi, Monday, September 8, 1997, 9am
Barnabas N. Mitaru
University of Nairobi, Kabete Campus
Deputy Director for Research and Development
Interim Chair of ECARSAM
College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Institute of Dryland Research, Development and Utilization
Department of Research and Development
PO Box 30197
Nairobi, Kenya
Email Mitaru@arcc.or.ke
Tel 254-2-631340/1/2/3/4
Fax 254-2-631102
On the Kabete campus there are perhaps about 200 telephone lines, mostly linked through a switchboard, though with about 20 direct "fax" lines. There are perhaps six different offices with access to email, including that of the Institute of Dryland Research. As the interim chair of the East and Central Africa Region Sorghum and Millet Network, Professor Mitaru finds the email service indispensable.
Email is used primarily for logistical arrangements. For example, email was used to arrange a meeting on animal production in Korea, tracking down speakers. The alternative would have been fax, which would have been prohibitively expensive. Email is also simpler and quicker. One simply "bangs out" an email in a style that is much less formal than other means of communication. Installation was accomplished late in 1996. Since then it has transformed ways of doing business with key partners. For example, documents can be "tossed" back and forth with Tanzania for quick review and comment. This was not previously possible.
Professor Mitaru is no newcomer to electronic mail, having attempted some time ago to make use of the ELCI Fidonet-technology email system, though without much success. He indicated having had problems with the software and operations of the ELCI system, and is quite pleased with the new system installed and operated by ARCC. He had specifically asked that the ARCC system be installed, even though ICRAF had recommended Form-Net. At the time of installation, ARCC provided an instruction book and an entire day of on-site training. When faults arise, a technician is generally dispatched the same day. Staff of ARCC telephone regularly to verify that all is in working order.
Dr. Mitaru is a regular Web browser. A connection was established using the 486/Acer433 computer and US Robotics Sportster VI 14,4 modem in the secretary's office. We visited http://free.rmnet.it/~zoorec, the home page of the European Association for Animal Production, and then linked to http://studbook.co.za/waap.html, home page of the World Association for Animal Production. Dr. Mitaru's photograph appears there.
Dr. Mitaru told of a discussion held at a meeting of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA) at which attendees suggested bringing all the AfricaLink connectees together for a training program on how to utilize Internet software more effectively, how to send and receive documents, and how to access data. Dr. Mitaru believes he has the capability of "accessing data," but is not sure how it works. A further recommendation from Dr. Mitaru is that assistance be provided in linking national partners of the College, particularly at Ngong, Kibwezi, and Machanga. He notes that at Kibwezi and Machanga there are manual telephone exchanges (requiring a human operator), which may pose technical problems.
Katumani, Monday, September 8, 1997, 2pm
Wilson Songa
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
Plant Pathologist and Team Leader
KARI/DFID Crop Protection Project
National Dryland Farming Research Centre
PO Box 340
Machakos, Kenya
Email Kariciat@arcc.or.ke
Tel 254-145-20624
Fax 254-145-20186
Access to electronic mail has made a particular difference at a national level for Dr. Songa's institute. Documents to their project coordinator in Nairobi are now routinely transferred via email, whereas in the past it was generally necessary to drive an hour for hand delivery in Nairobi. Fax was also a possibility in the past, though Dr. Songa noted the fax machine was located in the Director's office and quite inconvenient to use. The email system for the crop protection project is installed on a computer in Dr. Songa's own office. Dr. Songa's project colleagues use the system by composing their messages on diskette and bringing them to his office for uploading into the mail queue.
Internationally, Dr. Songa is now able to participate in international conferences in which workshops and meetings are routinely announced. He pointed out that in the past, notification might come by ordinary post after deadlines for applications had passed. Scientific papers are now routinely exchanged with colleagues and reviewers. In the past, express post was used. Dr. Songa noted that most of his principal correspondents themselves have email.
Crop protection is not the only project at the Centre. Each of the projects supports a team of scientists, with all operating under separate budgets. These projects are served by about 8 direct telephone lines, though every office is served by a switchboard extension. It was suggested that a good technical solution for facilitating information management at the Centre would be a local area network to a joint mailbox on an Internet server. Dr. Songa pointed out that this technical solution would pose serious administrative problems, given the nature of project funding.
A connection was established with the ARCC server in Nairobi. A good connection was established on the second try using one of the six telephone numbers provided by ARCC. The connection was lost after only a minute. Dr. Songa indicated he had never tried Netscape. Some six dialing attempts were required to reestablish a connection with ARCC, at which point Netscape was started and pointed to Reading University. Downloads were excruciatingly slow, and the connection was lost after about 5 minutes.
Analysis and Conclusions
The visit to Kenya was part of a regional assessment tour. General analyses and conclusions are contained in a separate synthesis report.
|
