IMARK- Web 2.0 and Social Media Development

The IMARK is a self-learning and resourceful information kit which gives an insight of the wide range of web 2.0 tools that empower users to create, share and collaborate online in a more effective and productive way. The information provided in the kit is very useful for a beginner to better understand the key concepts and principles behind the web 2.0 tools and its potential applications using a systematic approach for disseminating information. 

As mentioned in the IMARK CD, Web 2.0 is primarily social. The interesting thing about social media is that it is not just a one way communication. Collaborative exchange and discussions take place on a common and larger platform geographically and allows access to a massive and international audience. Its strategic features allow a network to act as a potential resource for ideas, collection and opportunities.

The idea behind using social media tools for development is to support interaction at different levels in terms of communication, conferencing and collaboration. Tools such as wikis or blogs have clearly demonstrated their potential for creation, publishing, co-documentation, translation and co-distribution of information online while the increasing use of other tools like Facebook, Twitter or YouTube is revolutionised by its flexibility, openness and transparency. Applications like VoIP takes users to another level of interaction allowing access to low cost calls over the internet. In the same line, Skype offers the possibility of quality voice and video conversations depending on internet connectivity. In general, these tools are simple and easy to use provided you understand the rationale behind its perspectives and the desired purposes. On several occasions, I have learnt to ‘ask why’ and then want ‘to learn more’ about the social media tools.  

It is worth to point out that now the world is at our fingertips. The latest trends in technology and the increasing popularity of the social media networking may prompt the creation of new services and features in the near future. Many websites are now adapting their tools for mobile use. In Africa and Asia, mobile technology is gaining momentum whereby timely market news is delivered to operators in the agricultural and fisheries sector. Furthermore, mobile technology or smart phone farming saves a lot of time and effort by keeping information in the palm of the hand. Similarly, geotagging has some unique features that give the possibility to create combined data maps in remote areas and share the desired information with your online collaborators.

Different social networkers are using the power of web 2.0 to facilitate collaborative translation and content localisation. On the other hand, web 3.0 is a term used to talk about some aspects of the internet that are potentially possible, but not yet feasible from a technical or practical perspective.

Some of the challenges that still need to be tackled:

• Internet connectivity and bandwidth problem
•  Accessibility to logistic facilities in remote areas.
• Though social networking offers numerous advantages, it can also pose problem to data privacy, security and intellectual property of the users. One should be aware that while creating profile on social networking sites, private information are shared with advertisers.

Web 2.0 tools provide an enabling multi-platform that transcends the traditional service delivery of information. If properly used and integrated, these can change the backbone of  disseminating agricultural information and hence improve interactivity among the different stakeholders.  

With the emergence of a new farming community characterised by younger and more dynamic people who are more demanding and also conversent with ICT, it has become primordial for our local extension services to operate differently. Hence it might not be long before the extension services will need to change its modus operandus and align itself on the digital path to better serve its clientele.