Zaca Strategy Document

 

  Project Partner: ITESM Monterray, MX Zacatecas, Mexico   February 2009

Vision and Mission Statements • Broad Vision – Empowering people through information. Improving Livelihoods through innovation.  • Strategic/Tactical Mission: Implement an opensource data aggregation system that facilitates transparent price flow to rural farmers in the Mexican state of Zacatecas.

Milestones Spring 2009 • 26 Feb - Consolidate and improve functionality of backend system based on winter visit • 10 March - Plan for Spring Break roll-out trip in place Translation and usability testing of Spanish interface competed • 31 March - Have a fully functional system along with user-friendly backend – the technology will be rolled out to a few communities on a trial basis • 14 April - Have a functional venture plan including financials • 28 April - Return to Zacatecas in order to assess initial impact of technology roll-out.

Milestones Summer 2009 • Late-May: Complete impact study • June: Begin rolling out to the entire state of Zacatecas after considering results of initial pilot. • July/August: Based on results of study, analysis of findings, and conversations with farmers, determine how to scope up project. o new regions : where else can zaca be used? o new industries : fishing, handicrafts, forestry, etc.? o new services : job database, etc.

Milestones Fall 2009 • September: Identify scope up/out opportunities to implement and begin implementation • October/November: continually monitor implementation and push venture, identify needed changes. • December: determine next steps and implementations

How will this Venture Change the World

• Scale nationally using the university system to initially promote agriculture • Pitching to América Móvil for regional support • Build relationships with other government entities, corporations, institutes, organizations in order to quickly scale up and out. • After creating credible brand: o Introduce to other markets like commodities markets, handicrafts, and fishing. o Introduce other services like jobs board (Souktel), mobile goods exchange (Cellbazaar), etc. • Substantiate progress, importance and impact thorough, econometrically-sound evaluations as a way to increase support and credibility.