TRIP REPORT SUMMARY
Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya
June 3-30, 1999

A series of meetings were held in East Africa to discuss various AfricaLink activities. Among the issues addressed were the following:

• The connectivity status of two rural research stations in Ethiopia (Melkassa and Awasa) as well as one in Uganda (Kawanda) were reviewed. Two years after an initial start with support under AfricaLink, the directors of these stations are now keen to enhance their access to the Internet. The initial seeds planted by AfricaLink have led to a greater understanding of the potential of the Internet for scientific research.

• Some $6 million has been provided via a World Bank loan to the Ethiopian Government to enhance networking among all agricultural research institutions in the country. AfricaLink assistance is requested for training programs to assure scientists make good use of the infrastructure the Bank is providing.

• After a year of high-frequency radio access to the Internet for basic email courtesy of AfricaLink and a local private-sector firm, staff at one remote station in Uganda are now desperate for better access, and very conversant in the costs and benefits of various technological options in the absence of telephones.

• The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa, with a Secretariat at Entebbe, requests continued consultative technical assistance from AfricaLink’s Advisor in Washington to guide its soon to be hired program assistant in the disbursement of funds from the African Development Bank.

• A new Leland Initiative infrastructure improvement program in Rwanda, in collaboration with the UNDP, will likely lead to a wireless Internet link for major research institutes. AfricaLink assistance is requested for local area networks to provide user access to these links.

• ICRAF has $90,000 remaining in its AfricaLink grant, and a procedure was detailed by which decisions will be made in the next few months on disbursement.

• A basic procedure was outlined whereby the Environmental Liaison Center International (ELCI) can take advantage of AfricaLink services to bridge the information gap for NGOs in the Lake Victoria region.

TRIP REPORT Ethiopia Agricultural Networking
TRIP REPORT Uganda Networking and the ASARECA Program
TRIP REPORT Rwanda Agricultural Networking
TRIP REPORT East Africa Regional Agricultural Networking

TRIP REPORT
Ethiopia Agricultural Networking
June 3 to 19, 1999

Jeffrey A. Cochrane
July 1, 1999

Note: This TDY was commissioned by USAID/Addis Ababa to determine requirements for a national trade and business licensing and registration system. A report on this commissioned activity has been prepared separately for that Mission. The present report covers visits to AfricaLink-related sites that were arranged as time permitted during the course of the commissioned activity.

Aberra Deresa, Director

The Melkassa Research Station, situated some 10 kilometers south of the town of Nazret, has received basic assistance under the AfricaLink project. Their email computer has been physically situated in Nazret itself, as phone lines to Melkassa have proved unworkable in the past.

Ato Aberra informed us that a microwave system with 8 lines has just been installed and is now in operation. A test was performed with the AfricaLink laptop, and email was successfully exchanged through the Addis Ababa SITA server. Ato Aberra says he will now expedite moving the Nazret computer to the Melkassa station so as to eliminate the necessity of sending a vehicle several times daily with diskettes.

Some 50 scientists are presently served by one email account. Ato Aberra expressed great satisfaction with that system. He has assigned a secretary full time whose job it is to process incoming and outgoing messages, assuring their proper delivery. The system is efficient, perhaps a reflection of the strong interest taken by the Director.

Discussion focused on the possibility of a local area network. Options include a wireless network to individually cabled buildings on the campus, or perhaps using an internal dialup system to a local server taking advantage of their existing lines. It was explained that the station should inquire with Ethiopian Telecoms about obtaining an enterprise subdomain account to a local server to be run by the station.

Kelsa Kena, Director, arc@telecom.net.et

A very brief stop was made at the station, which has received support under AfricaLink. One modem was supplied and advice was provided on how to obtain an Ethiopian Telecoms account. The AfricaLink Help Desk consultant in Ethiopia paid a visit to assist with installation. A year of access was paid by AfricaLink to Ethiopian Telecoms.

The system works well, according to Ato Kelsa. It is installed at present on one of the staff scientist's desks, but Ato Kelsa observed that due to increasing volume they will be moving the modem to a new computer to be placed in a computer room.

Abebe Kirub, Information Program Head and Regional Agricultural Information Network Interim Coordinator.
Adebebay Birru, AfricaLink Help Desk Consultant

Brief discussions covered prospects for the Regional Agricultural Information Network (RAIN), and its relationship to AfricaLink. RAIN is to be funded by the European Union and implemented from the Secretariat of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA). Funding has been approved in principle, but disbursal of funds awaits a further meeting in Europe. The program aims to facilitate the sharing of information among agricultural research services in the region, and will be coordinated in each country by national research libraries.

Ato Abebe advises that the two programs be closely linked, perhaps even with a single coordinator. AfricaLink will focus on connectivity for scientists and their access to information synthesized and disseminated under the RAIN program.

Ato Abebe further advised that the Ethiopian government has allocated some US$6 million from a World Bank loan to develop a Wide Area Network for agricultural research institutions in Ethiopia. He advises that AfricaLink assistance will be required for user training to take advantage of the infrastructure to be installed under the World Bank program.

TRIP REPORT
Uganda Networking and the ASARECA Program
June 19 to 26, 1999

Jeffrey A. Cochrane
July 12, 1999

Roger Kirkby, CIAT
Esther Lwanga-Semakula, Agricultural Research Information Service
Silim Nahdy, Director
Charles Musisi, consultant
Program Leaders

Roger Kirkby advised on communications problems in Rwanda, and suggested seeing Christophe Zaongo, the ICRAF program manager in Butare. Issues suggested for discussion in Rwanda include general connectivity for the national research institutes as well as a possible radio link with scientists in Eastern Congo.

Within Uganda, all national research institutes now have telephones or some other means by which to transfer email. Discussion focused on restructuring of the Ministry of Agriculture, and on the new responsibilities of the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) to facilitate extension services. Of some 18 district operated research outreach centers, 6 will be closely linked to NARO. A possible project to be proposed to the Canadian International Development Research Center Acacia program was discussed, and a project draft was written.

Director Nahdy expressed keen interest in a local area network for the Kawanda institute. This is quite a contrast to initial AfricaLink meetings three years ago here, when the Director at that time suggested there were advantages in having each program manage separate dialup links to the Internet. A proposal will be developed with the assistance of the AfricaLink Help Desk consultant, Charles Musisi.

Senior staff:
Dr. Mukiibi, Director
Information service staff:
Esther Lwanga-Semakula, ARIS
Charles Musisi, consultant

A briefing on AfricaLink activities and future plans was provided to the NARO Director. The critical role played by Mrs. Lwanga-Semakula of ARIS was highlighted. The Director encourage pursuing a proposal to IDRC for telecenter support to NARO’s new agricultural research development centers. A meeting was then held with the extension program head to work on a draft proposal. John Baraza of IDRC joined the meeting at this point, and provided reactions to the concepts being considered in the proposal. A concept paper is to be delivered to him by the following week, and an informal meeting to discuss it further will be held later in Nairobi.

Dr. Sengooba, Director
Program Leaders
Esther Lwanga-Semakula, ARIS
Charles Musisi, consultant
David Mutazindwa, USAID/Kampala Leland Coordinator

A lengthy discussion of new technology options for Namulonge were discussed. The Institute is some 20 kilometers (line of sight) from Kampala, has no telephone, and is connected to the Internet via a high-frequency radio system to the Bushnet commercial service. This service presently costs the Institute about US$3000 per month based on usage charges of about $US0.60 per page of email. Some measures of cost control have been implemented, basically to reduce usage, but the general sentiment is that an alternative must be found soon.

After a presentation about available technologies and comparative costs and benefits, staff sentiment leaned strongly toward a high-speed wireless solution, providing full and continuous Internet access to a local area network. The costs of installing the necessary local area network were also discussed. Given the presence of well funded projects at Namulonge, it seems likely that funds will be available for this type of solution, though AfricaLink may nonetheless receive a request for further financial assistance. Mrs. Semakula was tasked to investigate precise costs with local vendors. It was tentatively agreed that the existing high-frequency radio system would be moved to a more remote location once the new Namulonge system is in place.

Discussion focused on future requirements for regional networks, and the implications of the RAIN and African Development Bank resources soon to become available. General sentiment was favorable toward a continuation of the ICRAF arrangement, whereby USAID granted funds to ICRAF for distribution within the region as needed for information technology application. It was noted that Professor Mrema of ASARECA was considering adjusting that arrangement, either to centralize functions in Entebbe at the ASARECA Secretariat, or to utilize the services of a different regional organization. IITA coordinators agreed that whatever the arrangement, close coordination of RAIN and AfricaLink programs was critical.

Professor Mrema provided an extensive briefing on organizational changes expected in the coming years for the AfricaLink and RAIN programs. Roughly $274,000 is expected to be available by September from the African Development Bank to fund connectivity and basic information management. A further $2.3 million is expected next year to fund RAIN activities.

A program assistant will be employed locally in Entebbe by September to manage AfricaLink activities. By September next year it is hoped that this assistant will be joined by a RAIN program coordinator recruited regionally, and by a technical assistant recruited internationally, all to be based in Entebbe. Professor expressed the wish that the AfricaLink Advisor in Washington continue to provide technical support, with a possible visit to Entebbe and introductory site visits with the new program assistant to be scheduled in September.

A brief meeting was held with the Coordinator of the East and Central Africa Programme for Agricultural Policy Analysis. Dr. Minde has in the past collaborated closely with the AfricaLink regional coordinator at ICRAF to support stakeholders at national agricultural research institutions, universities, and independent policy analysis groups. An agricultural policy information exchange network involves some 300 individuals, with approximately half located within the region. Dr. Minde was urged to be proactive in soliciting technical assistance from AfricaLink whenever a need arises.

A further brief meeting was held with the ASARECA accountant. He expressed an interest in the possibility of automating or at least digitizing some of the procedures for regional accounting. Scanners could be used to convert paper receipts into email attachments, which under present accounting practices would be acceptable as documentation provided the originals are maintained on file for auditors. The AfricaLink Advisor will draft a memo with suggested language to be sent by ASARECA to NARIs on how present procedures can be modified and how AfricaLink assistance might be provided for equipment and training.

Charles Musisi, Information Technology Consultant

A brief visit was paid to a recently established telecenter, providing computer and Internet access to residents of a suburb of Kampala. The center was established with support from the Canadian Acacia Initiative, and offers access in particular to lower income individuals. The center is operated with oversight from the communities elected officials.

Patrick Fleuret, Deputy Mission Director
Ronald Stryker
David Mutazindwa, Information Programs

A briefing was provided to senior Mission staff. Among the topics discussed was a problem encountered in securing suitable equipment and services from the private sector in Uganda. Mission staff expressed the view that while private sector procurements were in general desirable, alternatives can be pursued in instances where the private sector cannot provide necessary services at reasonable prices. One such alternative may be to assist the National Agricultural Research Organization in providing wireless electronic mail services to its remote research stations.

TRIP REPORT
Rwanda Agricultural Networking
June 24 to 25, 1999

Jeffrey A. Cochrane
July 12, 1999

Christophe Zaongo, ICRAF
Christie Hjelt, USAID
Serge Rwamasirabo, USAID

USAID staff provided a briefing on the just signed Leland Initiative memorandum of understanding with the Government of Rwanda for the support of research and higher education institutions. The program of support should include research institutions where a substantial number of AfricaLink partner researchers are located. USAID referred to the UNDP for further details.

Christophe Zaongo, ICRAF
Rafal A. Rohozinski, UNDP Consultant

Mr. Rohozinski provided a further briefing on the support program for research and higher education institutions. A leased line currently exists between the University in Butare and a technical institute in Kigali. Under the support program first phase, Leland Initiative funds will provide satellite systems will be installed at both campuses for redundant Internet links. In a second phase, a combination of UNDP and USAID funding will provide wireless links to research institutes. In a third phase, unspecified funds will build local area networks at all affected institutes to provide Internet access for users.

AfricaLink support may be called upon the third phase, which need not wait for implementation of the other phases. There is some concern that the first phase in particular may be delayed as political issues relating to costs of satellite access are resolved with RwandaTel.

Christophe Zaongo, ICRAF
Albert Nsengymua, Centre de Calcul

Mr. Nsengymua provided a tour of information technology facilities at the University. He was not familiar with the particulars of how his center will provide access to research institutes. A tour of the grounds suggested that antennas would be mounted on a water tower, with a signal bounced off a repeater visible both to the University and to the main campus of ISAR, Rwanda’s principal research institute.

Mr. Nsengymua indicated he presently offers dialup services to some faculty departments. It may prove possible to offer similar dialup access for research institutes.

Director General of ISAR
Christophe Zaongo, ICRAF

The Director General is principally concerned with voice telephone access, but would welcome Internet access. An earlier project had installed a microwave system with 8 conventional voice lines, but a theft of equipment at the Butare telephone exchange resulted in RwandaTel’s inability to service no more than two of those microwave lines. The Alcatel equipment remains, however, with a radio antenna directed at the mountaintop repeater also visible from the University. This suggests that a wireless data link will indeed be feasible if the Leland/UNDP project can secure access to the RwandaTel tower on that mountain.

In later discussions with Mr. Zaongo, it was suggested that he encourage the Director General of ISAR to visit Mr. Nsengymua at the University to become more familiar with the potential of Internet access for the ISAR headquarters and research stations. Sensitization of senior officials was deemed bureaucratically critical for overall success.

TRIP REPORT
East Africa Regional Agricultural Networking
June 28 to 29, 1999

Jeffrey A. Cochrane
July 12, 1999

Kwesi Attah-Krah
Marco van den Berg
Bob Huggan
Ann Stroud

Funds remaining in ICRAF’s AfricaLink grant are approximately $90,000. Discussions focused on a procedure by which these funds would be disbursed. Bob Huggan will receive proposals from ASARECA network coordinators. A discussion period will ensue for perhaps one month via ASARECA-L, then final decisions will be reached.

Further discussions focused on the services that ICRAF might provide to institutions where regional network members conduct their business. Mr. Van den Berg seemed keen to advise institutions on overall program options, rather than the piecemeal approach that is more commonly adopted. ICRAF is happy to provide consultative services to an AfricaLink program coordinated by a program assistant employed in Entebbe.

Hilda Munyua, Information Specialist

A brief discussion focused on various proposals for content development presently being considered by the Canadian IDRC. AfricaLink has assisted the Ugandan NARO in developing one proposal. CABI has also assisted the Ugandan NARO with a proposal. Collaboration of CABI and AfricaLink was discussed.

Yunlong Xia
Johann Baumgartner

ICIPE is keen to secure support for basic content development infrastructure at their Nairobi facility. Discussions focused on ways to assure that content developed at ICIPE is in fact demanded by African agricultural research and extension practitioners.

Barbara Gelden, Director

The Director provided a briefing on the goals and objectives of her program, noting that she had recently held discussions with Walter Knausenberger. She is keen to bridge an information gap between key global environmental information resources and the Lake Victoria region’s environmental NGOs. The standard AfricaLink procedure for determining information management resource requirements was explained, specifically that local firms be consulted. She was advised to request the services of an area consultant through AfricaLink if discussions with local firms proved problematic.