Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID) Annual Report 2013- 2014 Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID) House No. B 165, Road No. 23 Mohakhali DOHS, Dhaka 1206, Bangladesh Email: [email protected] Web: www.biid.org.bd
Bangladesh Institute of ICT
in Development (BIID) Annual Report 2013- 2014
Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID)
House No. B 165, Road No. 23
Mohakhali DOHS, Dhaka 1206, Bangladesh
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.biid.org.bd
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ABOUT BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF ICT IN DEVELOPMENT (BIID) 3
VISION 3
STRATEGIES 3
KEY SECTORS AND MAJOR SERVICES 4
PARTNERS AND SERVICES OF BIID 5
ACTIVITIES FROM 2013 – 2014 6
E-KRISHOK 6
YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 7
16250 8
SME: ONLINE ADVISORY SERVICE 9
INNOVA 10
FARMBOOK 10
E-CLINIC 10
EXTENSION.ORG 11
CROP INSURANCE 11
INTEL EASY STEPS (IES) 12
WORKING PAPER SERIES 13
ICT STRATEGY FOR AECB PROJECT JOINTLY WITH MEAS 13
PARTNERSHIP WITH VOLUNTARY SERVICES OVERSEAS (VSO) 14
SMART FARMER, SMART FUTURE 15
E-KRISHOK SMART VILLAGE 16
E-KRISHOK EXTENSION TRAINING CENTRE (EETC) 16
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About Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID)
Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID) is a distinct initiative in the private sector to support
development and promotion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based services in
Bangladesh. In recent days ICT has evolved as an effective tool in development dynamics and created
enormous opportunities by IT revolution which means widespread access to, sharing of and use of
information (knowledge) in economic and social activities. In the context of the developing world, ICT
enabled development & business initiatives are useful only to the extent that there is complimentary
tangible and intangible capital, including human, R&D Capital, and knowledge capital.
The distinction of BIID lies in the clear identification of ICT market development opportunities through
continuous knowledge management, innovation and development.
Vision
To become a leading support institute and authentic source of knowledge, skills and innovations to
ICT4D practitioners, Govt., international and local NGOs and private sector players in facilitating
applications of ICT to enhance existing economic activities, develop new economic activities and support
sustainable livelihoods strategies in rural Bangladesh.
Strategies
To realize its vision, BIID adopts following key strategies:
Applying existing knowledge (information and expertise in aid to innovate products & services
for economic and social development)
Piloting/concept testing to roll-out/scale-up new/existing services
Understanding citizens (Target Audience – TA) need and national ICT based development
priorities to decide among alternative investment opportunities
Multi Stakeholder Partnership including collaborating with GoB; national and global private
sector leaders in the ICT sector; and academia to leverage impact of planned initiatives,
resource mobilization and utilization
Integrate new ICT tools including mobile based solution and social media.
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Key Sectors and Major Services
Key Sectors & Major Services of BIID are Health, Agriculture, Citizen’s Rights, Education, MSME where
it provides Strategic Planning (livelihoods analysis, Information/knowledge and Service need assessment
of Target Beneficiaries), Service Provision (content sourcing , Application (i.e. web portal, software other
ICT based delivery platform) development), Capacity Building (Offers a range of training and consulting
services to assist in process standardization, management and operations guidelines and skills
development of Telecenter operator/ entrepreneurs and Offers Institutional capacity building of public
and private sector entities engaged in ICT based information and knowledge transaction and
dissemination.), Linkage Facilitation and Advocacy (promotes farm and non-farm products of rural
areas by facilitating linkage between the producers, the micro and small enterprises, with potential
buyers and distribution channels; facilitates linkages between and among public, non-government and
private entities to catalyze use of ICTs in the provision of public/citizen services and rights based
information and services.) and Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Assessment (develops, plans and
conducts Monitoring and Impact Assessment of business model, project, service or a specific campaign
along with offering consultation in assessing business model, develop strategies for replication / up-
scaling of business models and/or services)
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Activities from 2013 – 2014
e-Krishok
BIID's agricultural service is branded as e-Krishok, an initiative which is aimed at
farmers with the desired goal of providing services from which farmers will
benefit both in terms of their farming activities and opening up opportunities in
new avenues which will ultimately translate into increased income for farmers. It
has been launched in 2009. In May 2012, e-Krishok achieved one of its milestones
when ITU nominated e-Krishok as a Success Story for 2011. In September, 2012,
like ITU, New Agriculturist (UK Based Media House) has featured e-Krishok in their
September 2012 issue.
e-Krishok is a service basket which includes Farmbook business planning and marketing tool, 16250 sort
code based SMS and Call Back service, Market Linkage Program (MLP), Crop Insurance, extension.org
knowledge sharing platform. Thus it is dynamic 360 degree solution which involves progression form
information and advisory service towards developing market linkage, and providing a full range of ICT
enabled agricultural solutions.
Developing the existing market
linkages and creating new
market linkages for the
betterment of the farmers is one
of the aims of e-Krishok service.
In the continuation of its
services, BIID launched e-Krishok
Market Linkage Program on 30th
June 2012 at Dinajpur. It was a
six month pilot project which
was carried out in partnership
with Katalyst, Grameenphone and Eastern Bank Limited (EBL). In 15th December 2012, BIID launched e-
Krishok in Khagrachari jointly with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) . Through this initiative BIID
desires to bring the benefits of ICT to the remote communities in hill district for the 1st time. The e-
Krishok service will ensure access to information, input and market to the farmers to improve their
livelihood.
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Youth Entrepreneurship Development Program
Aiming to creating employment opportunities and
contributing to socioeconomic development of Bangladesh,
BIID (Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development) has
started working for entrepreneurship development. BIID
has signed a collaborative partnership with Dhaka Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (DCCI)and Rotary International
(District 3281) to provide 200 entrepreneurs and business
ideas to DCCI’s project of creating 2000 new
entrepreneurs. The key theme has been to promote ethical
business practices among rural youth communities and
facilitate entrepreneurship development. VSO Bangladesh has also joined with BIID’s initiative for
entrepreneurship development program. They have signed an agreement in order to facilitate
entrepreneurship development among local youth groups in northern parts of the country under the
entrepreneurship development project jointly implemented by BIID, DCCI and Rotary District 3281.
At the first phase of this initiative, BIID arranged primary assessment and idea generation activities
among youth groups in Pairabandha, Rangpur for mapping out the interest areas of youths regarding
their future profession. Initially, youth groups showed their
interest in diverse areas. However, among those different areas,
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Fisheries, Sewing, Tea-stall
and Mobile Vegetable Shop were the most common areas of
interest. At the second phase of the initiative, BIID conducted a
four-day long event which included three training sessions and
one workshop in Pairabandh, Rangpur from February 09, 2014 to
February 12, 2014 to facilitate supportive environment with
business development services for promoting youth
entrepreneurship. The overall objectives of the four-day long
event were: to provide a platform where they can get necessary
information and supports to start their business, and to facilitate
creating youth entrepreneurs. A major success of the initiatives
was a day long advocacy workshop where various stakeholders
including public and private banks, local entrepreneurs, local
government representatives and youths participated and the
importance of access to finance was brought to the forefront and agreed upon. BIID is advocating for a
common youth loan scheme which can be made available through all financial institutes for ensuring to
access to finance. Based on the four-day long event, recommendations have been formed regarding
awareness of both youths as well as service-providers in the entrepreneurship development sector,
necessity of dissemination of entrepreneurship development related information, importance of
A major success of the initiatives was
a day long advocacy workshop where
various stakeholders including public
and private banks, local
entrepreneurs, local government
representatives and youths
participated and the importance of
access to finance was brought to the
forefront and agreed upon. BIID is
advocating for a common youth loan
scheme which can be made available
through all financial institutes for
ensuring to access to finance.
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facilitation, mentoring and monitoring for potential entrepreneurs and urgency of developing a financial
product (Youth Loan Scheme) only for youths.
As the process of entrepreneurship development, BIID has already signed Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Prothom Alo Jobs for conducting countrywide training, and is going to form a
collaborative partnership with Standard Chartered Bank along with VSOB. BIID is also exploring ideas
with ULAB for establishing a social innovation hub for facilitation of business innovations and startup
businesses.
16250
BIID has launched a short code based SMS and Call Back service named 16250: e-Information. It will
provide eight different types of information to the respective users. These are Agriculture, Education,
Health Care, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Tourism, Jobs, Complain and Emergency.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has allocated Short Code 16250
along with premium tariff facility for e-Krishok service considering its nature and cost involvement to
ensure quality.
Objectives of e-information service 16250
Make necessary information available to the
user in easiest way
Provide information at shortest possible time
Provide information at minimum cost
Ensuring access to information for wide range
of users
Covering wide array of information to meet
maximum demand
Under the ‘Smart Farmer, Smart Future’ campaign we are promoting the 16250 service in 100 locations
all over Bangladesh in partnership with Grameenphone. We are also bundling 16250 information
packages with quality inputs in partnership with ACI Ltd and Mollika Seed Company so that farmers can
access relevant information along with input when it is needed most, that is, during cultivation period.
This strategy ensures farmers access to information since input retailers are often the most trusted
source of information and advice for farmers and often their last mile contact.
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SME: Online Advisory Service
BIID launched an integrated initiative in Bangladesh to facilitate the rapid growth of the Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the help of ICT in addressing their problem and providing
suitable solution to them. An ICT-based platform to offer information and services for the rural
enterprises is an effective strategy to enhance the competitiveness of the rural MSMEs who have,
among others, need for information on new markets, better business practices, and business promotion
ideas where technology can become the catalyst to help the enterprises access the same. Empowering
through new market linkages and building capacity of the MSMEs will ultimately contribute to the
growth and competitiveness in this sector. MSME portal also focuses on the access to finance issue
financial literacy as well as training facilities for the MSMEs'.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Development Program is also linked to this initiative so that anyone who is
interested in entrepreneurship and is in need of information and advice can seek such Business
Development Service (BDS) through the online platform.
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Innova
BIID also provides incubation support to young
entrepreneurs during takeoff through Innova, which is a
unique facility with shared office space, logistics and
other facilities. It is a facility established to offer
incubation support to MSMEs in agro-business, ICT and young entrepreneurs during take off
period, especially to promote innovative ideas and initiatives. BIID conducted Financial Literacy
Program (FLP) in partnership with BRAC Bank Limited for local SMEs to strengthen their
capacity so that they are able to improve their business and ensure financial stability.
Farmbook
In May 2013, BIID launched Farmbook, which is an ICT enabled business skill development tool for
farmers. Farmbook is a form of application, which is basically a set of ICT based business planning and
marketing application. It is an initiative of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), USA under MEAS/USAID
research project. BIID and CRS have contextualized this application for the different actors in the
agricultural sector of Bangladesh. Mainly, Farmbook is designed to enable field agents to help farmers
plan their farm businesses more effectively and evaluate their productivity and profitability in am more
systematic manner. Farmbook includes a set of nine distance learning modules on the five skill sets
(Group Organization, Natural Resource Management, Financial Education, Marketing and Innovation).
The application has been initially piloted in five upazillas of Jessore where 10 Sub Assistant Agricultural
Officers (SAAO) were given training on Farmbook. At present, customization of the application is going
on to make it more relevant for local context and a Bengali version has been developed. A more
simplistic mobile application of the solution is also underway.
e-Clinic
e-Clinic is basically an interactive healthcare facility by utilizing
ICT tools. e-clinic project covers awareness building among the
rural communities and online health consultation using video as
well as web application to offer basic primary health care services
in rural settings.
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During 2012, e-Clinic started its partnership with Aysha Memorial Specialized Hospital (AMSH). Under
this partnership, AMSH has been providing physicians and specialist doctors for the e-Clinic services.
Thus, BIID has been running the e-Clinic program in ten different locations throughout the country and
has also organized several health camps in places like Gazipur and Baira in 2013.
In December, 2012, alike e-Krishok, BIID launched e-Clinic services in Khagrachari jointly with VSO
international. Through e-Clinic, BIID will facilitate bringing quality health service to rural areas where
Telemedicine has been identified as one of the most potential tool to bridge the gap.
Extension.org
BIID and Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) jointly
launched the www.extension.org.bd portal on 28th July, 2012
at Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University Seminar Room to
establish an ICT based platform for different stakeholders of
agricultural extension for knowledge sharing. The online
platform will foster usage of ICT in agricultural extension to
faster growth in the agriculture sector through knowledge sharing, consequently enhancing the
efficiency of knowledge & skill of expertise on continuous basis of relevant stakeholders including
researchers, extension officers, academicians, policy makers, private sectors, media, development
agencies, NGOs etc. Instrumentally, it will coordinate among these stakeholders and link the research to
field, provide relevant and updated extension related information to the people on a more quickly and
regular basis.
Crop Insurance
During 5-6 February, 2012 at Jessore and 11-12 February at Dinajpur, BIID conducted a research on
‘Crop Insurance’ in alliance with GDIC. The aim of the study was to assess the then status and future
possibilities of crop insurance in Bangladesh and to support the farming community towards reducing
the risk of crop damage/failure. Presently BIID is working on data collection and assessment for
introducing crop insurance in Jessore and Dinajpur districts for certain crops such as maize and flowers.
Besides, GDIC is in the final stages of product policy development. A pilot project has been scheduled to
be launched in June of 2014.
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Intel Easy Steps (IES)
BIID has signed a MoU with Intel to implement the Intel® Easy Steps (IES) program all over Bangladesh.
Thus, BIID has worked with Intel in designing the training materials according to the needs of learners in
Bangladesh. It has also translated the training manual in the local language, i.e., Bengali.
This program will facilitate computer literacy for adult learners, and especially for the semi-skilled
women workers. It is designed to provide basic computer skills to adult learners who have little or no
prior knowledge on the uses of computers and related technologies. BIID plans to provide training to
female learners at various places such as nursing schools, field level NGOs, vocational or technical
schools etc., so that they are better equipped for the competitive labor market at home as well as
abroad.
Under the IES program, BIID has provided training to 300 students, exclusively for girls, within a Digital
Literacy Campaign scholarship program of Asia Pacific Telecentre Network (APTN) in various rural
locations of Comilla, Gazipur, Manikganj, Mongla, Jhenaidaha and Rangpur. BIID also conducted a
training program on computer literacy and entrepreneurship development for Swisscontact under the
project Towards sustAinable quality healthcaRe delivery at grassSroots level through Active
participation of civil society organisantioNs (TARSAN) for Community Paramedic Training Institutes
(CPTI). The aim of the training was to strengthen the capacity of Community Paramedics (CP) so
that they can be self-employed while serving their own communities.
Computer Literacy and
Entrepreneurship Training for
Community Paramedics (CP)
so that they can be self
employed while at the same
time serve their local
communities
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Working Paper Series
Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID) and the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB)
has published the latest issue, Volume 3 Number 2, of “ICT for Development Working Paper Series” in
December 2013. This is the third of the series of working papers jointly published by the two
institutions.
The ICT for Development Working Paper Series is one of the leading of its kind which aims to
disseminate knowledge in the field of ICT4D in Bangladesh. The key objective of the working paper
series (WPS) is to articulate, capture and document success stories, best practices, lessons learnt and
shortcomings of ICT4D initiatives or researches in developing countries. The issue covers a wide range of
topics such as ICT and economic growth, mobile phones and social communications, women in the ICT
profession, 3G technology applications etc.
ICT Strategy for AECB Project jointly with MEAS
BIID embarked on the Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services (MEAS) project, which has been
launched with the support of USAID and is focused on the integration of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs) into agricultural extension services. This is a complementary
extension support program of another project designed by the USAID, the Agricultural Extension
Capacity Building (AECB), which is intended to strengthen extension and advisory services in Bangladesh,
specifically in the Feed the Future target regions. MEAS proposes to provide support to the AECB project
in achieving success under what is designated as Intervention 2 of AECB, namely the expansion of the
use of ICTs to support the provision of extension services. MEAS will provide technical support for the
following four tasks of AECB:
– Development of a Strategy for Extension and use of ICTs in Extension Services – Training of Farmers and Extension Agents in the use of ICTs – Trainings held by Extension Agents using ICTs – Multimedia Extension Products created using ICTs.
The major task of the MEAS support to AECB is to develop the ICT strategy and build capacity among the
AECB partners and stakeholders.
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Partnership with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO)
In order that underprivileged people in the marginal area get ICT enabled services facility a pilot project
titled Facilitating ICT Enabled Services to Build Inclusive Business Model for Young Active Citizen has
been undertaken by BIID and VSO. As part of the activities to attain this objective a rapid market
assessment has been conducted to understand local dynamics, readiness and situation, also determine
business model of 3 (Three) services namely, agriculture, health and ICT skill development in selected 6
(Six) locations of VSO network of youth groups and community. The research and working area are in
two model villages of 3 regions i.e. North West, South West and South East. Based on the findings of the
pilot phase, BIID and VSO are exploring the possibilities of extending these service provisions in hundred
locations throughout the country.
In its continued partnership, BIID and VSO are working in the entrepreneurship development program to
develop entrepreneurs among the VSO volunteers. At the first phase of this initiative, BIID arranged
primary assessment and idea generation activities among youth groups in Pairabondha, Rangpur for
mapping out the interest areas of youths regarding their future profession. At the second phase of the
initiative, BIID conducted a four-day long event which included training sessions and workshops in to
facilitate supportive environment with business development services for promoting youth
entrepreneurship. Business plans have been developed for five sectors which are pisciculture, tailoring,
tea stall, mobile van for vegetable vendor and BPO. At the third stage of this program, a group of youth
is preparing logistics for implementing the fishery project which will be carried out in participatory
method. Besides, a group of girls will be trained on tailoring and business planning or opening a tailoring
shop. Both the partners are exploring collaborations with other private sectors as well for expanding the
program in rural areas.
Youth Volunteers of VSO Pledge
to be Self Reliant through
Entrepreneurship
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Smart Farmer, Smart Future
“Smart Farmer, Smart Future” is a
campaign to promote use of ICT in the field
of agriculture through awareness building,
training and idea generation on what type
of ICT, internet or mobile based services
would be beneficial or required in
improving our agricultural sector. The aim
of this campaign is to encourage farmers to
adopt ICT based services in their
agricultural practices which will enable
them to increase their production and
improve their livelihood.
The proposed project will cover the following objectives:
I. Build awareness among the target groups of ICT enabled service propositions (Mobile and
Internet based advisory service, market linkage, Business Planning service) to the farmers & agri-
businesses by organizing fair and interactive sessions;
II. Engage youth farmers and agri-businesses through active participation in the competition with a
bundle of incentives including prizes and recognition;
III. Inspire & motivate the relevant stakeholders including the local information centres (GP CIC,
UISC &Batighar), extension officers and input suppliers;
IV. Demonstrate the benefit of using ICT enabled Integrated services across farmers to input
retailers;
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e-Krishok Smart Village
e-Krishok Smart Village project is an upcoming project will facilitate integration of ICT services in
selected 100 locations & target the farmer, youth and women groups. The objectives of the Smart
Village Project” are:
A) To empower poor farmers with information and communication tools and services that will
increase their productivity and incomes
B) To protect their food security and improve livelihoods
C) To facilitate ICT skill development of rural youth and women
D) To support the farmer families with e-Health services
e-Krishok Extension Training Centre (EETC)
Bangladesh Institute for ICT in Development (BIID) initiated setting up e-Krishok Extension Training
Centre (EETC) to facilitate state-of-art learning facility in terms of content and service delivery. BIID
foresee broader collaboration and strategic partnership with leading national and international
organizations including academic, research, business associations, government, private sector &
development agencies to contribute for updated learning materials, methods, tools, expertise,
resources and service delivery. The proposed training centre will integrate e-Learning facilities too. EETC
established as the leading training & learning service provider in agricultural extension of the country.
The main objective of introducing EETC is to offer institutionalized and quality learning facilities through
different courses & programs for various extension actors (Individuals, organizations etc.). Another
objective will be to introduce e-Learning facility for the participants.