The Use Of Information And Communication Technologies In The Agribusiness Sector In Egypt /
Mahmoud Abdelsalam Mohamed Abdelnabby
The Use Of Information And Communication Technologies In The Agribusiness Sector In Egypt / Mahmoud Abdelsalam Mohamed Abdelnabby - 2020 - 140 p. ill. 21 cm.
Supervisor: Mohamed Awny
Thesis (M.A.)—Nile University, Egypt, 2019 .
"Includes bibliographical references"
Contents:
CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Why the agricultural sector? ........................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 ICTs as agribusiness enablers ...................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Dependence on ICTs in the agricultural sector ............................................................................................ 3
1.4 Potential ICTs usage in the developing countries ........................................................................................ 4
1.5 Digital transformation in the agricultural sector .......................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER II - INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN
AGRICULTURE........................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Definitions ................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1.1 Agriculture activities ................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1.2 Information and Communication Technologies ........................................................................................... 8
2.1.3 Digital technologies .................................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.4 Technology and technology transfer ............................................................................................................ 9
2.1.5 ICT for Agriculture (ICT4Ag) ..................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.6 Precision agriculture.................................................................................................................................. 10
2.1.7 Proposed definition ................................................................................................................................... 10
2.2 Satellite based technologies in agriculture ................................................................................................. 10
2.3 Use of ICTs in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services .................................................................. 12
2.3.1 Use of mobile/smart phones in agriculture ................................................................................................. 17
2.3.2 Use of radio and TVs in Agriculture .......................................................................................................... 19
2.3.3 Use of text to Speech and SMS in agricultural advisory ............................................................................ 21
2.4 ICTs in Agricultural Marketing information sharing ................................................................................. 22
2.5 ICTs usage as agricultural management systems ....................................................................................... 23
2.6 ICTs in Agricultural Finance and FinTech solutions ................................................................................. 25
2.7 Precision Agriculture and Internet of Agricultural Things IoAT ............................................................... 26
2.8 The ICTs present applications .................................................................................................................... 27
2.9 ICTs usage attempts in Agriculture – Egypt .............................................................................................. 28
2.9.1 KARIANET .............................................................................................................................................. 28
2.9.2 RADCON & VERCON ............................................................................................................................. 29
v
2.9.3 Bashaier ..................................................................................................................................................... 30
2.9.4 Abuerdan ................................................................................................................................................... 31
2.9.5 Agricultural Database Egypt ...................................................................................................................... 32
2.9.6 Conclusion: The gap in the available researches ........................................................................................ 33
CHAPTER III - RESEARCH PROBLEM ................................................................................ 34
3.1 - Problem statement ............................................................................................................................... 34
3.2 - The research questions ......................................................................................................................... 34
3.3 - Research objectives .............................................................................................................................. 35
3.4 - Significance of the study ...................................................................................................................... 35
CHAPTER IV - RESEARCH METHOD .................................................................................. 37
4.1 – Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 37
4.2 - Collection of Secondary Data ............................................................................................................... 37
4.3 - Collection of Primary Data ................................................................................................................... 37
4.4 - Sample composition and Size ............................................................................................................... 37
4.5 – Participants of the interviews ............................................................................................................... 38
4.6 - Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 38
4.7 - Description of the survey tools ............................................................................................................. 38
4.8 – Questionnaire Consistency Table ........................................................................................................ 39
CHAPTER V - THE FIELD RESEARCH ................................................................................ 41
CHAPTER VI - ANALYSIS & DISCUSSIONS ....................................................................... 66
CHAPTER VII - CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH 69
REFERENCES
Abstract:
The Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been developed in the last
decades and since its functionality and uses, have increased tremendously, in many sectors
and they have become fundamental in our life today. It is a main part of almost every
activity, product, and service in our lives. Therefore, the use of ICTs in agribusiness is not
an exception. On the other hand, Agribusinesses are the most vital businesses in the human
life. Therefore, the introduction of ICTs technology in agribusiness is a determinantal
activity for the prosperity and well living of any society. The use of ICTs is seen in the
diffusion of mobile coverage in rural areas, precision agriculture and data analytics services
that have allowed managers to better understand and operate their businesses. The literature
review of the studies and articles that covered the subject, revealed that there are many
applications, tools and services utilizing the ICTs to support agricultural sectors in many
countries. These applications are many, such as use of satellite-based solutions, mobile
services in information and communication, financial solutions based on technological
aspects, tools in management and communication in the business environment, etc. The
study of the literature has covered cases from Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia for
national initiatives that have employed ICTs to support the agricultural sector starting from
offering agricultural extension and advisory services, which are some of the common uses
of ICTs in agriculture that are taking the form of rural radio, SMS, mobile based solutions,
agricultural insurance system, collective purchasing and sales over ICTs tools and services.
Therefore, it is of great value to the Egyptian society and to the decision makers, to identify
and assess the effectiveness of the uses of ICTs in agribusinesses in Egypt. These will
result in enhancing the awareness and hence the uses of the ICTs in the Egyptian
agricultural sector. In this respect, the objectives of this research work are many folds.
First, to identify the different uses of the ICTs and the technologies that can be used in
agribusinesses which are applied successfully in many countries. Second, to explore the
response of the business owners and senior agribusiness managers to the use, awareness,
and perceptions of these technologies in their businesses. Third, to recommend possible
solutions to develop further these uses.
xi
The study covered a perception analysis of respondents on the adoption of precision
agriculture, Internet of Agricultural Things (IoAT) and modernization of agricultural
practices via digital transformation. This research work identifies and assesses the uses and
areas of development needed to advance the agribusiness sector in Egypt. The study
focused only on export directed agribusiness. This is because the owners of such
companies can afford the investment in ICTs equipment and are normally well educated.
The gathered sample covered decision makers, consultants and employees of firms in the
field of agriculture in Egypt. This segment represents an important layer in the agricultural
sector in Egypt and illustrates key directions to work with agroindustry sector and rural
communities. Therefore, the support of information and communication technologies will
be of great help to boost their businesses. The primary data collection has resulted in key
interventions and insights that are gathered from the survey results. This included the
availability of satellite-based technologies in Egypt but are limited to the governmental use
and not for companies. Major dependence on mobile based services in communication,
advisory and extension services that are either via calls, SMS, internet accessibility, and
YouTube. WhatsApp is one of the important communication applications that are used by
the respondents of this study and they are using it in their daily communication with
suppliers, clients, markets, and colleagues. An intervention model has been designed to
illustrate different stakeholders in the domain of ICTs in agribusiness who are, policy
makers, researchers, service providers and business owners. The perception of respondents
towards employing some of the ICTs tools and services varies between acceptance and
rejection while majority of them see that the ICTs can play a significant role in the
development of the agribusiness sector in Egypt.
Text in English, abstracts in English .
MOT
Dissertation, Academic
658.4
The Use Of Information And Communication Technologies In The Agribusiness Sector In Egypt / Mahmoud Abdelsalam Mohamed Abdelnabby - 2020 - 140 p. ill. 21 cm.
Supervisor: Mohamed Awny
Thesis (M.A.)—Nile University, Egypt, 2019 .
"Includes bibliographical references"
Contents:
CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Why the agricultural sector? ........................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 ICTs as agribusiness enablers ...................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Dependence on ICTs in the agricultural sector ............................................................................................ 3
1.4 Potential ICTs usage in the developing countries ........................................................................................ 4
1.5 Digital transformation in the agricultural sector .......................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER II - INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN
AGRICULTURE........................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 Definitions ................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1.1 Agriculture activities ................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1.2 Information and Communication Technologies ........................................................................................... 8
2.1.3 Digital technologies .................................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.4 Technology and technology transfer ............................................................................................................ 9
2.1.5 ICT for Agriculture (ICT4Ag) ..................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.6 Precision agriculture.................................................................................................................................. 10
2.1.7 Proposed definition ................................................................................................................................... 10
2.2 Satellite based technologies in agriculture ................................................................................................. 10
2.3 Use of ICTs in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services .................................................................. 12
2.3.1 Use of mobile/smart phones in agriculture ................................................................................................. 17
2.3.2 Use of radio and TVs in Agriculture .......................................................................................................... 19
2.3.3 Use of text to Speech and SMS in agricultural advisory ............................................................................ 21
2.4 ICTs in Agricultural Marketing information sharing ................................................................................. 22
2.5 ICTs usage as agricultural management systems ....................................................................................... 23
2.6 ICTs in Agricultural Finance and FinTech solutions ................................................................................. 25
2.7 Precision Agriculture and Internet of Agricultural Things IoAT ............................................................... 26
2.8 The ICTs present applications .................................................................................................................... 27
2.9 ICTs usage attempts in Agriculture – Egypt .............................................................................................. 28
2.9.1 KARIANET .............................................................................................................................................. 28
2.9.2 RADCON & VERCON ............................................................................................................................. 29
v
2.9.3 Bashaier ..................................................................................................................................................... 30
2.9.4 Abuerdan ................................................................................................................................................... 31
2.9.5 Agricultural Database Egypt ...................................................................................................................... 32
2.9.6 Conclusion: The gap in the available researches ........................................................................................ 33
CHAPTER III - RESEARCH PROBLEM ................................................................................ 34
3.1 - Problem statement ............................................................................................................................... 34
3.2 - The research questions ......................................................................................................................... 34
3.3 - Research objectives .............................................................................................................................. 35
3.4 - Significance of the study ...................................................................................................................... 35
CHAPTER IV - RESEARCH METHOD .................................................................................. 37
4.1 – Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 37
4.2 - Collection of Secondary Data ............................................................................................................... 37
4.3 - Collection of Primary Data ................................................................................................................... 37
4.4 - Sample composition and Size ............................................................................................................... 37
4.5 – Participants of the interviews ............................................................................................................... 38
4.6 - Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 38
4.7 - Description of the survey tools ............................................................................................................. 38
4.8 – Questionnaire Consistency Table ........................................................................................................ 39
CHAPTER V - THE FIELD RESEARCH ................................................................................ 41
CHAPTER VI - ANALYSIS & DISCUSSIONS ....................................................................... 66
CHAPTER VII - CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH 69
REFERENCES
Abstract:
The Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been developed in the last
decades and since its functionality and uses, have increased tremendously, in many sectors
and they have become fundamental in our life today. It is a main part of almost every
activity, product, and service in our lives. Therefore, the use of ICTs in agribusiness is not
an exception. On the other hand, Agribusinesses are the most vital businesses in the human
life. Therefore, the introduction of ICTs technology in agribusiness is a determinantal
activity for the prosperity and well living of any society. The use of ICTs is seen in the
diffusion of mobile coverage in rural areas, precision agriculture and data analytics services
that have allowed managers to better understand and operate their businesses. The literature
review of the studies and articles that covered the subject, revealed that there are many
applications, tools and services utilizing the ICTs to support agricultural sectors in many
countries. These applications are many, such as use of satellite-based solutions, mobile
services in information and communication, financial solutions based on technological
aspects, tools in management and communication in the business environment, etc. The
study of the literature has covered cases from Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia for
national initiatives that have employed ICTs to support the agricultural sector starting from
offering agricultural extension and advisory services, which are some of the common uses
of ICTs in agriculture that are taking the form of rural radio, SMS, mobile based solutions,
agricultural insurance system, collective purchasing and sales over ICTs tools and services.
Therefore, it is of great value to the Egyptian society and to the decision makers, to identify
and assess the effectiveness of the uses of ICTs in agribusinesses in Egypt. These will
result in enhancing the awareness and hence the uses of the ICTs in the Egyptian
agricultural sector. In this respect, the objectives of this research work are many folds.
First, to identify the different uses of the ICTs and the technologies that can be used in
agribusinesses which are applied successfully in many countries. Second, to explore the
response of the business owners and senior agribusiness managers to the use, awareness,
and perceptions of these technologies in their businesses. Third, to recommend possible
solutions to develop further these uses.
xi
The study covered a perception analysis of respondents on the adoption of precision
agriculture, Internet of Agricultural Things (IoAT) and modernization of agricultural
practices via digital transformation. This research work identifies and assesses the uses and
areas of development needed to advance the agribusiness sector in Egypt. The study
focused only on export directed agribusiness. This is because the owners of such
companies can afford the investment in ICTs equipment and are normally well educated.
The gathered sample covered decision makers, consultants and employees of firms in the
field of agriculture in Egypt. This segment represents an important layer in the agricultural
sector in Egypt and illustrates key directions to work with agroindustry sector and rural
communities. Therefore, the support of information and communication technologies will
be of great help to boost their businesses. The primary data collection has resulted in key
interventions and insights that are gathered from the survey results. This included the
availability of satellite-based technologies in Egypt but are limited to the governmental use
and not for companies. Major dependence on mobile based services in communication,
advisory and extension services that are either via calls, SMS, internet accessibility, and
YouTube. WhatsApp is one of the important communication applications that are used by
the respondents of this study and they are using it in their daily communication with
suppliers, clients, markets, and colleagues. An intervention model has been designed to
illustrate different stakeholders in the domain of ICTs in agribusiness who are, policy
makers, researchers, service providers and business owners. The perception of respondents
towards employing some of the ICTs tools and services varies between acceptance and
rejection while majority of them see that the ICTs can play a significant role in the
development of the agribusiness sector in Egypt.
Text in English, abstracts in English .
MOT
Dissertation, Academic
658.4