REGINA – It may be a smaller world with growth of the internet and fewer international trade restrictions, but it is a vast expanse for anyone who has surfed the world wide web looking for agricultural information.
“Finding just what you are looking for when you are looking for it can be one of the toughest parts using the internet for doing business,” said Doug McNair, of the new Saskatchewan internet project, AgInfoNet.
AgInfoNet is a world wide web site created by a consortium of producers, government agencies, agricultural associations and agri-businesses to allow prairie farming interests a one-stop shopping site.
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Rather than sifting through thousands of different pages that can be produced in a single search of the web for agriculture related information, the site is designed to bring all the parties into one place.
Farmers can find market, weather and product information and related research and technology news at a single site. Exporters can list their products or services for world distribution. Any user of the site will be able to gain summary information about agriculture around the globe.
“I used to think that the internet would be an important part of agriculture in the next century. It has moved so fast that I am convinced that it will be a major force in the century,” said Ned Shillington, Saskatchewan minister of intergovernmental affairs.
Communication between farmers plays a role in the new project and two areas on the site allow for producers and anyone else to talk to one another. The live chat area provides a place to type back and forth in live conversations, while the discussion groups area allows for the posting of questions, topics for discussion and points of view.
Shows, conferences listed
Groups or individuals can list their meetings, trade shows and conferences on the site.
The structure of the non-profit company that set up the site is based on industry support and membership. Companies may purchase memberships for $100 and can then participate in the site through sponsorship of services or maintaining areas of the system.
Founding members include Agriculture Canada, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Farm Credit Corporation, SaskTel, AgrEvo, Credit Union Central, Flexi-Coil, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, University of Saskatchewan and Canadian Western Agribition.
“We are hoping it will run sort of like Agribition. Members of companies, industries and organizations get together to provide the services that support Agribition. That is what we want this system to operate like,” said McNair.
“It should become the premier spot for agriculture information in Saskatchewan, in Canada and around the world,” said Ralph Goodale, federal minister of agriculture.
