Abstract:

The AH1-Acacia information needs assessment, various surveys and institutional analyses
completed in Kabale during phase I revealed that access to information by various actors
is and continues to be a challenge and a deficit area. Although some level of ad-hoc
coordination among R&D actors exists, a coherent development communications strategy
for the district is lacking. Critical information is deficit on market prices, seasonality and
traders, location of expert farmers and other service providers, health, enterprise
production, natural recourse management among a number of topics. Given limited
coordination, the act of seeking and providing information by R&D practitioners in
usable forms to stakeholders is inefficiently handled on a case-by-case basis, as each
entity is pursuing its own agenda, in its own location and according to its own sectoral
interests. Furthermore, proactive behavior to share, seek and use i!nformation is limited.
The AHI-Acacia II project seeks to find avenues through which, communities in Kabale
district can be in a better position to contribute more effectively to their own development
and enhance their des4lopment process. An improved system and strategy in
communication and information flow is one of the avenues. Provision and availability of
communication and links with information sources will assist communities in
operationaizing their plans related to enterprise development and NRM.