Unlike traditional ICT models, convergent technologies for agriculture have a rich market. This is the case when televised images and radio messages are put on the web, accompanied by written comments and the exchange of links and images, which can be easily accessed on smartphone, tablet or PC. Convergence concerns communication media, such as merging the ‘three screens’ (TV, PC and mobile phone) in a single smartphone. Over 3 days, specialists looked at the concept of ‘convergence’ in the field of ICTs for agriculture. It is this approach that CTA sought to promote by organising a series of meetings in Rhenen, in the Netherlands, in October 2014. And yet, meeting the information needs of the rural community in today’s world requires strategic, harmonised use of a wide range of communication channels and systems: radio, video, internet, mobile telephone, interactive voice response systems, etc. The various ICT channels are often promoted as if each were the ultimate solution. This shows the extent to which farmers and fishermen in these countries are still far from being able to benefit from the economic opportunities and information flows offered by new technologies. Botswana, Cabo Verde and South Africa are the top African representatives, but the leader (Mauritius) is only 72nd in the world.

In its 2013 report, the International Telecommunication Union revealed that, “the adoption of ICTs remains very limited, particularly in less connected countries.” Among ACP countries, five Caribbean states (Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Surinam and Trinidad and Tobago) are out in front, followed by Fiji and Mauritius.

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