Abstract
This chapter focuses on e-government initiatives in the primary sector. Primary industries (agriculture , forestry , fisheries and mining) make a significant contribution to the economies of Pacific Island countries and information systems in this sector have a major role to play in sustainable development. The chapter highlights the value of regional collaboration , the importance of effective policy and the role of ICT in facilitating collaboration in the primary industries sector. This includes gathering statistics which are critical to planning and some regional initiatives for the management of mineral exploration and resources. Drawing together the work of authors working in the region, it highlights some of the benefits and challenges of applying ICT in this area of e-government and some examples of projects with significant potential for economic development, although some have yet to deliver on this potential and some have made a significant contribution to development in the region. The final example outlines the recent development of a Fisheries Information Management System for the billion-dollar Pacific tuna fishery. The chapter concludes by identifying regional cooperation as a critical factor in the success and sustainability of e-government initiatives in the primary sector in the Pacific Islands region.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Notes
- 1.
This figure includes employment from post-harvest activities.
- 2.
The Pacific Islands Forum is discussed in more detail in Chap. 3.
- 3.
More detail is provided in Chap. 3, and on the SPC website at: http://www.spc.int/index.php.
- 4.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, only five of the 22 SPC Pacific Island member countries are members of the OIE: Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.
- 5.
Mention should also be made of the Pacific Island Farmers Organisation network (http://www.pacificfarmers.com) which also offers information, support, and a two-way individual.
- 6.
More information at http://www.spc.int/pafpnet/.
- 7.
- 8.
The SDD’s NMDI website is at: http://www.spc.int/nmdi/.
- 9.
- 10.
The Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Service (PIRAS) is another such initiative funded by PAPP.
- 11.
Estimated at 97% according the CIA (2016).
- 12.
A government-funded organization for highlands-based vegetable growers.
- 13.
Personal communication between Elizabeth Dumu and Peter Walton, 14 September 2015.
- 14.
Deregulation and other legislation is discussed in Chap. 4.
- 15.
These schemes are discussed in more detail in Chap. 11.
- 16.
The first ILG to be incorporated was the Kum Kopi Kumaipana ILG, whose certificate was awarded in July 2015 (NRI 2015).
- 17.
The countries that are Parties to the Nauru Agreement concerning Co-operation in the Management of Fisheries of Common Interest 1982 are: Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. Tokelau is an Observer with the PNA. It is however a participant in the PNA VDS Scheme.
- 18.
A purse seine consists of a long wall of netting framed with float line and lead line having purse rings hanging from the lower edge, through which runs a purse line made of steel, wire or rope which allow the ‘pursing’ or drawing together of the net. Purse seine fishing is commonly used for tuna fishing in the Pacific.
- 19.
Palau Arrangement for the Management of the Western Pacific Purse Seine Fishery, (Majuro: PNA Office, 2012). See Aqorau and Bergin (1997).
References
Aqorau T, Bergin A (1997) Ocean governance in the Western Pacific purse seine fishery: the Palau arrangement. Mar Policy 21(2)
Aranson R (2014) Independent review of the PNA vessel day scheme (VDS). PNA Office, Majuro
Banks R (2016) Analysis of the costs and benefits of electronic fisheries information systems applied in FFA countries and identification of the legislative, regulatory and policy supporting requirements. Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management, Port Douglas, QLD. http://consult-poseidon.com/fishery-reports/1155%20WWF%20EFIS_11032016_Final_7%200.pdf
Brown C (1997) Regional study—the South Pacific. Asia-Pacific forestry sector outlook study working paper series, working paper no. Apfsos/Wp/01. FAO Forestry Planning and Statistics Branch, Rome
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2016) The world factbook. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fj.html. Accessed 26 Feb 2016
Chapman R, Slaymaker T, Young J (2004) Livelihoods approaches to information and communication in support of rural poverty elimination and food security: the literature update. Overseas Development Institute, London. https://www.odi.org/resources/docs/208.pdf. Accessed 1 Sept 2016
Collins NM, Sayer JA, Whitmnore TC (eds) (1991) Western Pacific Islands, in the conservation atlas of tropical forests: Asia and the Pacific. McMillan, London, pp 240–249
Crocombe R (2001) The South Pacific. University of the South Pacific, Suva
Cullen R, Hassall G (2016a) E-government in the Pacific Island states: ICT policy and implementation in small island developing states. Vanuatu country report. http://pippr.victoria.ac.nz/handle/123456789/30
Cullen R, Hassall G (2016b) E-government in the Pacific Island states: ICT policy and implementation in small island developing states. Samoa country report. http://pippr.victoria.ac.nz/handle/123456789/31
Digicel Papua New Guinea (2009) Digicel provides access to market information for local farmers. http://www.digicelpng.com/en/about/news/digicel-provides-access-to-market-information-for-local-farmers. Accessed 14 Sept 2015
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) (2015) Pacific pests and pathogens mobile application. FBC, Suva. http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/30455/pacific-pests-and-pathogens-mobile-application
Fink A (2014) Gap in the figures? Gap analysis of agricultural statistics in the Pacific region. http://pafpnet.spc.int/attachments/category/75/Gap-in-the-figures-analysis-of-agricultural-statistics-in-the-pacific-region.pdf. Accessed 10 Oct 16
Haberkorn G (2016) Pacific regional sustainable development goals indicator availability assessment. SDD Newsletter. SDD, Noumea
Heeks R (2002) Information systems and developing countries: failure, success and local improvisations. The Information Society 18(2):101–112
Leopold M, Ham J, Kaku R et al (2015) Spatial sea cucumber management in Vanuatu and New Caledonia. SPC Beche-de-mer Inf Bull#35, March. http://www.spc.int/coastfish/en/component/content/article/62/440-beche-de-mer-information-bulletin-35.html
Malua M (2003) Case study. The Pacific Islands. UNCTAD, Geneva. http://unctad.org/en/docs/ditctncd20031p5_en.pdf
McGregor A, Stice K (2014) Agricultural value chain guide for the Pacific Islands. KokoSiga Pacific, Suva. http://pafpnet.spc.int/attachments/article/504/Agricultural%20Value%20Chain%20Guide%20for%20the%20Pacific%20Islands.pdf
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) (2013) Enhancement of biosecurity and quarantine services in the Pacific. MFAT, Wellington. https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/_securedfiles/Aid-Prog-docs/CASE-STUDY-PF-MPI-Case-Study.pdf
National Research Institute (NRI), Papua New Guinea (2015) Kum Kopi Kumaipana incorporated land group awarded ILG certificate. NRI, Port Moresby. http://www.nri.org.pg/index.php/design-idea-competition/212-kum-kopi-kumaipana-clan-awarded-ilg-certificate
PACE (1996) Special report: PACE in Melanesia. PACE 7. Pidgins and Creoles in Education (PACE). http://www.hawaii.edu/satocenter/pace/pace_news/7-special.htm
Pacific Agriculture Policy Project (PAPP) (2016). What we do. PAPP, Suva. http://pafpnet.spc.int/about-papp/what-we-do
Pacific Islands Forum (2015) Framework for Pacific regionalism. http://www.forumsec.org/resources/uploads/attachments/documents/Framework%20for%20Pacific%20Regionalism_booklet1.pdf. Accessed 10 Oct 16
Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) (2016) Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, Honiara. http://www.ffa.int/vds
Pacific Regional Forest Inventory Facility (PRFIF) (2015) Booklets 1–4. http://lrd.spc.int/pubs
Payton I, Weaver S (2011) Fiji national forest carbon stock assessment. Version 1. Compiled by Carbon Partnership Ltd for SPC/GIZ Regional Programme Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Island Region and the Fiji Forestry Department. Global Canopy Programme, Oxford. http://theredddesk.org/resources/fiji-national-forest-carbon-stock-assessment-version1
Rashid AT, Elder L (2009) Mobile phones and development: an analysis of IDRC-supported projects. Electron J Info Syst Dev Countries, EJISDC 36(2). http://www.ejisdc.org
Rihai N, Thomas C, Lombadozzi A (2013) CertLink—working with smallholder farmers to bring Vanuatu to the world. Paper presented at the IFOAM Asia Pacific symposium: entrepreneurship and innovation in organic farming, Bangkok. http://certlink.org/a/presentation-certlink-working-with-smalholder-farmers-to-bring-vanuatu-to-the-world
Seidel H, Lal PN (2010) Economic value of the Pacific Ocean to the Pacific Islands countries and territories. International Union for the Conservation of Nature, UCN, Gland. https://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/economic_value_of_the_pacific_ocean_to_the_pacific_island_countries_and_territories_p.pdf
SPC. Land Resources Division (2014a) LRD strategic plan. SPC LRD, Suva. http://lrd.spc.int/about-lrd/lrd-strategic-plan. Accessed 10 Oct 2016
SPC. Land Resources Division (2014b) SPC facilitates training in the use of web online applications to promote information sharing. SPC LRD, Suva. http://lrd.spc.int/our-work/information-communication-and-extension/training-and-workshops-/spc-facilitates-training-in-the-use-of-web-online-applications-to-promote-information-sharing. Accessed 10 Oct 2016
SPC. Geoscience Division (2015) Geoscience for development program. SPC, Noumea. http://gsd.spc.int/gsd-programmes/geoscience-for-development-programme. Accessed on 16 Aug 2016
SPC. Geoscience Division (2016) Geology, minerals and hydrocarbons. SPC, Noumea. http://gsd.spc.int/geologymineralshydrocarbons. Accessed on 16 Aug 2016
SPC. Division of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (2016a) Mobile phone data collection app for artisanal fisheries makes its debut in Funafuti, Tuvalu. PC Fish Newslett #149. Jan–Apr 2016. http://www.spc.int/Coastfish/en/component/content/article/463-spc-fisheries-newsletter-149.html
SPC. Statistics for Development Division (2016a) Population Projections by Pacific Island Countries and Territories. SPC, Noumea. http://prism.spc.int/regional-data-and-tools/population-statistics. Accessed 13 January 2017
SPC. Statistics for Development Division (2016b) National Minimum Development Indicator Database. SPC, Noumea. http://www.spc.int/nmdi/en
SPC. Statistics for Development Division (2016c) Better Pacific fisheries and agriculture statistics to help improve livelihoods of millions. Press release, Apr 2016. SPC Statistics for Development Division, Suva, Noumea. http://sdd.spc.int/en/news/press-releases/108-better-pacific-fisheries-and-agriculture-statistics-to-help-improve-livelihoods-of-millions. Accessed 10 Oct 2016
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (2015) Data for development. A needs assessment for SDG monitoring and statistical capacity development. United Nations, Geneva
Toby S (2013) Mobile banking boost to rural Solomon Islands businesses. Pacific Trade and Invest. https://pacifictradeinvest.com/mobile-banking-boost-to-rural-solomon-islands-businesses/
Turia R (2013) Proceedings of the national preparatory workshop on the national forest inventory for Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea Forest Authority, Port Moresby. http://www.forestry.gov.pg/site/files/Proceedings%20of%20the%20National%20Preparatory%20Workshop%20on%20the%20National%20Forest%20Inventory%20for%20Papua%20New%20Guinea.pdf
United Nations (2015) Sustainable development: knowledge platform. Sustainable Development Goals. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs. Accessed 30 Mar 2016
Va’a F, Va’a T, Fuatai F, Chan Mow I, Amosa D (2012) Aspects of economic development in Samoa’s journey, 1962–2012. Aspects of history, Victoria University Press, Wellington, pp 99–140
Valemei R (2016) 10,000 join council. Fiji Times Online, 10 May 2016. http://fijitimes.com/story.aspx?ref=archive&id=353160. Accessed 10 Oct 2016
Walton P (2002) Collection, access and use of agricultural statistics in the Pacific Islands: report of a study. ACIAR impact assessment program. Working paper series, no. 45. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra. http://aciar.gov.au/files/node/2125/wp45.pdf. Accessed 10 Oct 2016
Walton P (2009) Networking for sustainable development: The Papua New Guinea National Agricultural Information System. Agric Inf Worldwide 2(1):19–24. http://journals.sfu.ca/iaald/index.php/aginfo/article/view/83
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (2012) Statement describing purpose and principles of the WCPFC. Pohnpei, WCPFC. https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/tcc-03/statement-describing-purpose-and-principles-wcpfc-vms
World Bank (2014) World Bank development indicators. http://wdi.worldbank.org/table/4.2#
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Aqorau, T., Cullen, R., Mangal, A., Walton, P. (2017). The Contribution of E-Government to Primary Industries and Rural Development in Pacific Island States. In: Cullen, R., Hassall, G. (eds) Achieving Sustainable E-Government in Pacific Island States. Public Administration and Information Technology, vol 27. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50972-3_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50972-3_9
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-50970-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-50972-3
eBook Packages: Economics and FinanceEconomics and Finance (R0)