Introduction

We are interested in the relation between two main actors for the protection and development in the market of animal breeding. An animal cannot be productive without a livestock technical and sanitary follow-up which firstly involves the farmer. We also have the veterinarian who is in charge of the follow-up of this production by giving care and well-being to the animal. Finally, we have the authorities responsible for the preservation of animal health as confederate of the two actors.

Today, in addition to be informed about their sector, livestock actors want to be constantly connected to the outside world. In Algeria, among the various supports of ICTs, the mobile phone (a smartphone with Internet applications and not just a mobile phone) is currently the most accessible tool. It is in the socio-cultural traditions of the country in terms of communication, since it is based on speech. Further it brings together writing, sound and image, thus allowing to conect different social and age groups.

Does this revolutionary tool contribute to the reduction of animal losses in the livestock sector and can it be considered as a tool for economic development? Gado (2008) states that "the use of ICT, particularly mobile phones, has significantly improved the economic performance of African countries; and even "transformed Africa". We try to answer the question how the two actors (livestock breeders and veterinarians) use the mobile phone. Then, whether the mobile phone can be considered as an indispensable tool for the health protection of livestock and consequently can contribute to economic development? We hypothesize that the use of smartphones would resolve the different problems faced by the two actors, starting with the distance that usually separates their places respective their tasks.

Methodology

We conducted a mayor survey in the central region of Algeria, which includes 9 wilayas (governmental districts: Alger, Boumerdès, Tipaza, Ain Defla, Blida, Médéa, Bouira, Béjaïa, and Tizi Ouzou).

Questionnaires and interviews were performed on :

- The use of the mobile phone (smartphone) as a professional tool.

- The level of ICT knowledge through a smartphone

- The indispensableness of the mobile phone for the health protection of livestock as a contribution to economic development

In the development of the questionnaires, we consulted several experts, such as information scientists, breeders, veterinarians and health technicians. The questionnaires were distributed to 300 individual veterinarians and 350 individual farmers, what lead to a return rate of 92% and 90%.

Results: Usefulness of the mobile phone in economic development

The results of our survey reveal that mobile phones and ICTs play an important role in economic development. Information and communication are fundamental for breeders. They will have an easier work and a better health care for their animals.

During our survey, we noticed that the size of farms has increased significantly, as well as the practice of raising livestock. The herds are more and more placed in modern buildings, substituting the traditional stables and stables. As a result, both veterinarians and breeders will progressively have to use new technologies. The breeder will be able to carry out his various activities in a less laborious way, which will enable him to lower the need for labor force. Likewise the veterinarian will be able to report "on the spot" all the data relating to health and production of the animals and to exploit them, again "on the spot", via his mobile phone.

The results of the survey show that majority of veterinarians and farmers report disparities in the coverage of rural and peri-urban areas by mobile providers operating in Algeria. We notice the need of breeders for mobile applications for the health and economic management of their farms by providers.

Conclusion
Despite its results, which point to weakness on the part of mobile providers and application developers who are experiencing an enormous delay in terms of attendance of the world of agriculture, it must be noted that major means are currently developed by mobile providers under the perspective of total national coverage. The next step in the expansion of mobile telephony across the Algerian territory will be a fast Internet, which is a more profitable market compared to that of voice telephony.

This perspective can be realized in a very short time, especially as the opportunities for this development are diverse: developed infrastructure, improved literacy skills of the breeders, democratization of mobile use, growing agricultural markets et cetera.

Keywords: Knowledge Sharing, Economic Development, Mobile Phone, Breeder-Veterinary Relation, Algeria.

References (Selection)

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