{"id":4956,"date":"2016-01-24T17:30:06","date_gmt":"2016-01-24T10:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/science-technology.vn\/?p=4956"},"modified":"2016-01-24T17:30:06","modified_gmt":"2016-01-24T10:30:06","slug":"bai-hoc-phi-chau-cua-bill-gates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/?p=4956","title":{"rendered":"B\u00e0i h\u1ecdc Phi ch\u00e2u c\u1ee7a Bill Gates\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

20\/1\/2016<\/p>\n

T\u00f4i c\u00f3 l\u1ebd \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft nhi\u1ec1u v\u1ec1 ngh\u1ec1 n\u00f4ng \u1edf ch\u00e2u Phi t\u1eeb Sam Dryden h\u01a1n t\u1eeb b\u1ea5t k\u00ec ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0o kh\u00e1c. Sam \u0111\u00e3 t\u1eebng l\u00e0m vi\u1ec7c h\u00e0ng th\u1eadp k\u1ec9 trong n\u00f4ng nghi\u1ec7p, bao g\u1ed3m c\u1ea3 ph\u1ea7n vi\u1ec7c t\u1ea1i Gates Foundation, v\u00e0 anh \u1ea5y \u0111am m\u00ea v\u1ec1 c\u1ea3i thi\u1ec7n cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng c\u1ee7a nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o nh\u1ea5t. Cho n\u00ean khi anh \u1ea5y \u0111\u1ec1 ngh\u1ecb t\u00f4i \u0111\u00f3ng g\u00f3p cho chu\u1ed7i c\u00e1c b\u00e0i vi\u1ebft trong t\u1ea1p ch\u00ed <\/em>Foreign Affairs\u00a0v\u1ec1 t\u01b0\u01a1ng lai c\u1ee7a ngh\u1ec1 n\u00f4ng v\u00e0 vai tr\u00f2 c\u1ee7a n\u00f3 trong tranh \u0111\u1ea5u v\u1edbi ngh\u00e8o n\u00e0n, t\u00f4i h\u00e0i l\u00f2ng l\u00e0m vi\u1ec7c \u0111\u00f3. B\u00e0i vi\u1ebft c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i l\u00e0 d\u01b0\u1edbi \u0111\u00e2y. B\u1ea1n c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 t\u1ea3i xu\u1ed1ng c\u1ea3 lo\u1ea1t -k\u1ec3 c\u1ea3 c\u00e1c t\u00e1c gi\u1ea3 nh\u01b0 Kofi Annan v\u00e0 ng\u00e0i Gordon Conway – \u1edf \u0111\u00e2y.<\/em><\/p>\n

M\u1ed9t \u0111i\u1ec1u t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c trong c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c c\u1ee7a t\u00f4i v\u1edbi Microsoft l\u00e0 \u1edf ch\u1ed7 qu\u00e1 tr\u00ecnh ph\u00e1t ki\u1ebfn c\u00f3 xu h\u01b0\u1edbng l\u00e2u h\u01a1n l\u00e0 nhi\u1ec1u ng\u01b0\u1eddi mong \u0111\u1ee3i, nh\u01b0ng n\u00f3 c\u0169ng c\u00f3 xu h\u01b0\u1edbng l\u00e0 c\u00e1ch m\u1ea1ng h\u01a1n h\u1ecd t\u01b0\u1edfng t\u01b0\u1ee3ng. Ch\u00fang ta \u0111ang th\u1ea5y s\u1ef1 n\u0103ng \u0111\u1ed9ng n\u00e0y di\u1ec5n ra ngay b\u00e2y gi\u1edd theo c\u00e1ch c\u00f4ng ngh\u1ec7 s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c v\u1ec1 n\u1ec1n t\u1ea3ng \u0111ang t\u00e1i t\u1ed5 ch\u1ee9c cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng cho nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o nh\u1ea5t tr\u00ean th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi.<\/p>\n

Hai m\u01b0\u01a1i n\u0103m tr\u01b0\u1edbc, khi Internet c\u00f2n l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t th\u01b0\u01a1ng hi\u1ec7u m\u1edbi, nhi\u1ec1u ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u0129 m\u00e1y t\u00ednh s\u1ebd nhanh ch\u00f3ng tr\u1edf th\u00e0nh m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n c\u1ee7a cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng th\u01b0\u1eddng ng\u00e0y trong c\u00e1c n\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111ang ph\u00e1t tri\u1ec3n. V\u00e0 khi t\u00f4i n\u00f3i \u201cnhi\u1ec1u ng\u01b0\u1eddi,\u201d t\u00f4i bao g\u1ed3m c\u1ea3 b\u1ea3n th\u00e2n t\u00f4i. Nh\u01b0ng nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00f3 \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng ngh\u0129 v\u1ec1 m\u1ecdi s\u1ef1 ki\u1ec7n.<\/p>\n

N\u0103m 1997, t\u00f4i \u0111i sang Nam Phi l\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean. T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 d\u00e0nh ph\u1ea7n l\u1edbn th\u1eddi gian c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh trong c\u00e1c to\u00e0 nh\u00e0 v\u0103n ph\u00f2ng l\u1edbn \u1edf trung t\u00e2m Johannesburg. M\u1ed9t h\u00f4m, tuy v\u1eady, t\u00f4i l\u1ea5y m\u1ed9t chuy\u1ebfn \u0111i t\u1edbi Soweto, n\u01a1i Microsoft \u0111ang t\u1eb7ng m\u00e1y t\u00ednh v\u00e0 ph\u1ea7n m\u1ec1m cho m\u1ed9t trung t\u00e2m c\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ed3ng – c\u00f9ng lo\u1ea1i c\u00e1c th\u1ee9 ch\u00fang ta \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m \u1edf M\u0129.<\/p>\n

Nh\u01b0ng \u0111i\u1ec1u tr\u1edf n\u00ean r\u00f5 r\u00e0ng v\u1edbi t\u00f4i r\u1ea5t nhanh ch\u00f3ng l\u00e0 Soweto kh\u00f4ng gi\u1ed1ng nh\u01b0 M\u0129. T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 th\u1ea5y c\u00e1c th\u1ed1ng k\u00ea v\u1ec1 ngh\u00e8o n\u00e0n, v\u00e0 t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 th\u1ea5y nhi\u1ec1u c\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ed3ng ngh\u00e8o, nh\u01b0ng \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 l\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 th\u1ef1c s\u1ef1 th\u1ea5y ngh\u00e8o th\u1ef1c. T\u00f4i s\u1eefng s\u1edd b\u1edfi \u0111i\u1ec1u t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ea5y. Kh\u00f4ng \u0111i\u1ec7n. Kh\u00f4ng n\u01b0\u1edbc m\u00e1y. Kh\u00f4ng nh\u00e0 v\u1ec7 sinh. Kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng s\u00e1.<\/p>\n

Trung t\u00e2m c\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ed3ng kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ngu\u1ed3n \u0111i\u1ec7n nh\u1ea5t qu\u00e1n, cho n\u00ean h\u1ecd \u0111\u00e3 d\u1ef1ng l\u00ean m\u1ed9t d\u00e2y k\u00e9o d\u00e0i ch\u1ea1y qu\u00e3ng 60 m\u00e9t t\u1eeb trung t\u00e2m t\u1edbi m\u1ed9t m\u00e1y ph\u00e1t \u0111i\u1ec7n diesel b\u00ean ngo\u00e0i. Nh\u00ecn v\u00e0o vi\u1ec7c thi\u1ebft l\u1eadp, t\u00f4i bi\u1ebft ngay r\u1eb1ng ngay khi t\u00f4i ra v\u1ec1, m\u00e1y ph\u00e1t \u0111i\u1ec7n s\u1ebd \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c chuy\u1ec3n cho nhi\u1ec7m v\u1ee5 kh\u1ea9n thi\u1ebft h\u01a1n, v\u00e0 nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi d\u00f9ng trung t\u00e2m c\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ed3ng s\u1ebd quay l\u1ea1i v\u1edbi lo l\u1eafng v\u1ec1 th\u00e1ch th\u1ee9c m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u00e1y PC gi\u1ea3i quy\u1ebft<\/p>\n

Khi t\u00f4i \u0111\u01b0a nh\u1eadn x\u00e9t chu\u1ea9n b\u1ecb s\u1eb5n cho b\u00e1o ch\u00ed, t\u00f4i n\u00f3i: \u201cSoweto l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u1ed9t m\u1ed1c. C\u00f3 nh\u1eefng quy\u1ebft \u0111\u1ecbnh ch\u00ednh ph\u00eda tr\u01b0\u1edbc v\u1ec1 li\u1ec7u c\u00f4ng ngh\u1ec7 c\u00f3 b\u1ecf th\u1ebf gi\u1edbi \u0111ang ph\u00e1t tri\u1ec3n l\u1ea1i sau kh\u00f4ng. \u0110\u00e2y l\u00e0 vi\u1ec7c kh\u00e9p l\u1ea1i k\u1ebd h\u1edf.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nh\u01b0ng khi t\u00f4i \u0111\u1ecdc nh\u1eefng l\u1eddi \u0111\u00f3, t\u00f4i bi\u1ebft nhi\u1ec1u th\u1ee9 n\u1eefa v\u1edbi c\u00e2u chuy\u1ec7n n\u00e0y. \u0110i\u1ec1u t\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng n\u00f3i l\u00e0: \u201cNh\u00e2n ti\u1ec7n, ch\u00fang t\u00f4i kh\u00f4ng h\u1ed9i t\u1ee5 v\u00e0o s\u1ef1 ki\u1ec7n l\u00e0 ba ph\u1ea7n t\u01b0 m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi trong v\u00f9ng n\u00e0y \u0111ang k\u00e9o d\u00e0i vi\u1ec7c s\u1ed1ng \u1edf nh\u1eefng n\u00f4ng tr\u1ea1i t\u00ed hon m\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng s\u1ea3n xu\u1ea5t \u0111\u1ee7 l\u01b0\u01a1ng th\u1ef1c. Nh\u01b0ng ch\u00fang t\u00f4i ch\u1eafc ch\u1eafn s\u1ebd \u0111em t\u1edbi cho c\u00e1c b\u1ea1n m\u00e1y t\u00ednh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trong 20 n\u0103m qua, tuy th\u1ebf, c\u00f4ng ngh\u1ec7 s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c \u0111\u00e3 d\u1ea7n d\u1ea7n lu\u1ed3n v\u00e0o trong cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng c\u1ee7a nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o theo nh\u1eefng c\u00e1ch t\u00f4i ch\u01b0a bao gi\u1edd c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 d\u1ef1 ki\u1ebfn \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. Ch\u1eb3ng h\u1ea1n, qu\u00e3ng hai ph\u1ea7n ba ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u00e2u Phi b\u00e2y gi\u1edd c\u00f3 \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i di \u0111\u1ed9ng, v\u00e0 c\u0169ng r\u1ea5t s\u1edbm vi\u1ec7c ph\u1ee7 s\u00f3ng s\u1ebd \u00edt nhi\u1ec1u th\u00e0nh ph\u1ed5 d\u1ee5ng. S\u1ee9c m\u1ea1nh c\u1ee7a \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i c\u00f3 trong m\u1ecdi c\u00e1i t\u00fai \u0111ang bi\u1ebfn th\u00e0nh \u0111\u1ed9t ph\u00e1 c\u1ef1c k\u00ec l\u1edbn theo c\u00e1ch th\u1eadt h\u00e1o h\u1ee9c – v\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o cu\u1ed1i c\u00f9ng \u0111\u00e3 c\u00f3 c\u01a1 h\u1ed9i \u0111\u1ec3 d\u00f9ng c\u00f4ng ngh\u1ec7 theo c\u00e1ch gi\u1ea3i quy\u1ebft c\u00e1c v\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 th\u1ef1c m\u00e0 h\u1ecd \u0111\u1ed1i di\u1ec7n trong cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd.<\/p>\n

\u0110I\u1ec6N THO\u1ea0I DI \u0110\u1ed8NG V\u00c0 C\u00c1CH M\u1ea0NG D\u1ecaCH V\u1ee4 T\u00c0I CH\u00cdNH<\/p>\n

\u0110i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i di \u0111\u1ed9ng \u0111\u00e3 t\u00e1i t\u1ea1o l\u1ea1i kinh t\u1ebf c\u1ee7a vi\u1ec7c cung c\u1ea5p d\u1ecbch v\u1ee5 t\u00e0i ch\u00ednh cho ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o. Trong k\u1ec9 nguy\u00ean k\u0129 thu\u1eadt t\u01b0\u01a1ng t\u1ef1 khi ng\u00e2n h\u00e0ng y\u00eau c\u1ea7u c\u00e1c to\u00e0 nh\u00e0, h\u00e0ng ch\u1ed3ng gi\u1ea5y t\u1edd, v\u00e0 nh\u00e2n vi\u00ean tr\u1ea3 ti\u1ec1n, chi ph\u00ed cho giao d\u1ecbch l\u00e0 \u0111\u1ee7 cao \u0111\u1ec3 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f4ng ti n\u00e0o th\u1eadm ch\u00ed c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 quan ni\u1ec7m \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c vi\u1ec7c ki\u1ebfm l\u1eddi b\u1eb1ng ph\u1ee5c v\u1ee5 ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o, nh\u1eefng ng\u01b0\u1eddi l\u00e0m giao d\u1ecbch v\u1edbi s\u1ed1 ti\u1ec1n c\u00f2m c\u00f5i. K\u1ebft qu\u1ea3 l\u00e0, ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o d\u1eabn d\u1eaft cu\u1ed9c s\u1ed1ng t\u00e0i ch\u00ednh c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch kh\u00f4ng ch\u00ednh th\u1ee9c, tr\u1ea3 ti\u1ec1n cao c\u1eaft c\u1ed5 trong c\u00e1c ph\u00ed v\u00e0 l\u1ee3i t\u1ee9c \u0111\u1ec3 vay, ti\u1ebft ki\u1ec7m, v\u00e0 g\u1eedi ti\u1ec1n.<\/p>\n

Nh\u01b0ng \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i \u0111\u00e3 g\u1ea1t b\u1ecf t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 nh\u1eefng k\u1ebft c\u1ea5u n\u1ec1n \u0111\u1eaft \u0111\u1ecf \u0111\u00f3. Chi ph\u00ed giao d\u1ecbch th\u1ea5p t\u1edbi m\u1ee9c c\u00e1c c\u00f4ng ti c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 ki\u1ebfm ti\u1ec1n b\u1eb1ng vi\u1ec7c ph\u1ee5c v\u1ee5 ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o. V\u00e0 trong qu\u00e1 tr\u00ecnh c\u1ea1nh tranh v\u00ec kinh doanh cho ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o, nh\u1eefng c\u00f4ng ti n\u00e0y s\u1ebd ph\u00e1t tri\u1ec3n c\u00e1c s\u1ea3n ph\u1ea9m t\u00e0i ch\u00ednh m\u1edbi \u0111\u00e1p \u1ee9ng cho nhu c\u1ea7u duy nh\u1ea5t c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o. M\u1ed9t v\u00ed d\u1ee5 l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t c\u00f4ng ti m\u1edbi c\u00f3 t\u00ean M-KOPA, \u0111\u1ec3 cho 250,000 kh\u00e1ch h\u00e0ng \u1edf ba n\u01b0\u1edbc ch\u00e2u Phi tr\u1ea3 ti\u1ec1n cho \u0111i\u1ec7n m\u1eb7t tr\u1eddi (thay v\u00ec d\u1ea7u l\u1eeda) qua vi\u1ec7c tr\u1ea3 m\u1ed9t ph\u1ea7n h\u00e0ng ng\u00e0y qua \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i di \u0111\u1ed9ng c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd. N\u00f3i t\u00f3m l\u1ea1i, c\u00e1c d\u1ecbch v\u1ee5 t\u00e0i ch\u00ednh s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 t\u1ea1o ra m\u1ed9t n\u1ec1n kinh t\u1ebf ch\u00ednh th\u1ee9c ph\u00e1t \u0111\u1ea1t m\u00e0 bao g\u1ed3m m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi.<\/p>\n

Th\u1ef1c ra, v\u00ec c\u00e1c n\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111ang ph\u00e1t tri\u1ec3n kh\u00f4ng b\u1ecb m\u1eafc k\u1eb9t v\u1edbi h\u1ec7 th\u1ed1ng ng\u00e2n h\u00e0ng th\u1eeba t\u1ef1 d\u00f9ng k\u0129 thu\u1eadt t\u01b0\u01a1ng t\u1ef1, t\u00f4i tn r\u1eb1ng trong t\u01b0\u01a1ng lai c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 th\u1ea5y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c nh\u1eefng \u200e\u00fd t\u01b0\u1edfng m\u1ea1nh d\u1ea1n nh\u1ea5t trong d\u1ecbch v\u1ee5 t\u00e0i ch\u00ednh s\u1ebd t\u1edbi t\u1eeb c\u00e1c c\u00f4ng ti m\u1edbi gi\u1ea7u l\u00ean \u1edf c\u00e1c ch\u1ed7 ngh\u00e8o thay v\u00ec c\u00e1c c\u00f4ng ti l\u1edbn m\u00e0 ch\u00fang ta \u0111\u1ec1u \u0111\u00e3 nghe n\u00f3i t\u1edbi.<\/p>\n

N\u00d4NG NGHI\u1ec6P S\u1ed0 TH\u1ee8C<\/p>\n

N\u1ebfu c\u00f3 v\u00ed d\u1ee5 kh\u00e1c v\u1ec1 th\u1ecb tr\u01b0\u1eddng m\u00e0 \u0111\u01a1n gi\u1ea3n kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 t\u00e1c d\u1ee5ng cho ng\u01b0\u1eddi ngh\u00e8o, \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 n\u00f4ng nghi\u1ec7p. Nh\u01b0ng c\u00f4ng ngh\u1ec7 s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 thay \u0111\u1ed5i c\u1ea3 \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 n\u1eefa.<\/p>\n

Ngay b\u00e2y gi\u1edd, h\u00e0ng tr\u0103m tri\u1ec7u ng\u01b0\u1eddi ch\u00e2u Phi d\u1ef1a v\u00e0o ngh\u1ec1 n\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ec3 s\u1ed1ng, nh\u01b0ng h\u1ecd kh\u00f4ng t\u0103ng tr\u01b0\u1edfng g\u00ec m\u1ea5y – v\u00e0 h\u1ecd kh\u00f4ng b\u00e1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c m\u1ea5y c\u00e1c th\u1ee9 d\u01b0 th\u1eeba c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd – nh\u01b0 h\u1ecd \u0111\u00e1ng ra c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 b\u00e1n. K\u1ebft qu\u1ea3 l\u00e0 ch\u00e2u Phi ph\u1ea3i nh\u1eadp kh\u1ea9u th\u1ef1c ph\u1ea9m tr\u1ecb gi\u00e1 $40 t\u1ec9 \u0111\u00f4 la n\u0103m qua. C\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00f4ng v\u1eadn h\u00e0nh \u0111\u00fang khi m\u1ed9t n\u1eeda s\u1ed1 lao \u0111\u1ed9ng c\u1ee7a c\u1ea3 l\u1ee5c \u0111\u1ecba s\u1ea3n xu\u1ea5t l\u01b0\u01a1ng th\u1ef1c, v\u00e0 l\u1ee5c \u0111\u1ecba v\u1eabn ph\u1ea3i mua l\u01b0\u01a1ng th\u1ef1c t\u1eeb ch\u1ed7 n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3 kh\u00e1c!<\/p>\n

V\u1eady c\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111i sai T\u1ea1i sao c\u00e1c t\u00e1 \u0111i\u1ec1n ch\u00e2u Phi kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ed9ng t\u1edbi \u0111u\u1ee3c th\u1ecb tru\u1eddng 40 t\u1ec9 \u0111\u00f4 la \u0111\u00f3?<\/p>\n

V\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 ch\u00ednh b\u1eaft ngu\u1ed3n t\u1eeb s\u1ef1 ki\u1ec7n l\u00e0 th\u1ecb tr\u01b0\u1eddng n\u00f4ng nghi\u1ec7p, nh\u01b0 ng\u00e2n h\u00e0ng, t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i tr\u00ean b\u00ecnh di\u1ec7n ch\u00ednh th\u1ee9c, trong khi c\u00e1c t\u00e1 \u0111i\u1ec1n t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i tr\u00ean b\u00ecnh di\u1ec7n kh\u00f4ng ch\u00ednh th\u1ee9c. Cho n\u00ean n\u00f4ng d\u00e2n v\u00e0 th\u1ecb tr\u01b0\u1eddng kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 trao \u0111\u1ed5i m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch hi\u1ec7u qu\u1ea3. T\u00e1 \u0111i\u1ec1n kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft th\u1ecb tr\u01b0\u1eddng s\u1ebd tr\u1ea3 ti\u1ec1n mua c\u00e1i g\u00ec. H\u1ecd kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 tr\u1ed3ng \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c c\u00e2y t\u01b0\u01a1ng \u1ee9ng theo \u0111\u1eb7c \u0111i\u1ec3m k\u0129 thu\u1eadt c\u1ee7a th\u1ecb tru\u1eddng v\u00ec h\u1ecd kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft \u0111\u1eb7c \u0111i\u1ec3m k\u0129 thu\u1eadt. H\u1ecd kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 c\u00e1ch n\u00e0o \u0111\u1ec3 h\u1ecdc c\u00e1c th\u1ef1c h\u00e0nh qu\u1ea3n l\u00ed n\u00f4ng t\u1ea1i m\u00e0 s\u1ebd \u0111\u1ec3 cho h\u1ecd s\u1ea3n l\u01b0\u1ee3ng g\u1ea5p \u0111\u00f4i hay th\u1eadm ch\u00ed g\u1ea5p ba. Thay v\u00ec th\u1ebf, h\u1ecd tr\u1ed3ng ph\u1ea7n l\u1edbn \u0111i\u1ec1u h\u1ecd c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0103n hay b\u00e1n \u1edf \u0111\u1ecba ph\u01b0\u01a1ng, c\u00e1ch h\u1ecd bao gi\u1edd c\u0169ng tr\u1ed3ng n\u00f3.<\/p>\n

Ch\u1eebng n\u00e0o vi\u1ec7c gi\u00e1n \u0111\u1ea1n th\u00f4ng tin n\u00e0y v\u1eabn c\u00f2n, s\u1ebd c\u00f3 gi\u00e1n \u0111o\u1ea1n v\u1eadt l\u00ed li\u00ean quan. \u0110\u01b0\u1eddng s\u1eaft \u0111\u01b0\u1eddng b\u1ed9 \u0111\u1ec3 mang c\u00e2y tr\u1ed3ng t\u1eeb c\u1ed5ng n\u00f4ng tr\u1ea1i t\u1edbi th\u1ecb tr\u01b0\u1eddng kh\u00f4ng t\u1ed3n t\u1ea1i, v\u00ec th\u1ecb tr\u01b0\u1eddng kh\u00f4ng mu\u1ed1n c\u00e2y tr\u1ed3ng m\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00f4ng d\u00e2n tr\u1ed3ng theo c\u00e1ch th\u1ee9c v\u00e0 kh\u1ed1i l\u01b0\u1ee3ng h\u1ecd \u0111ang tr\u1ed3ng ch\u00fang. Cho n\u00ean n\u00f4ng d\u00e2n b\u1ecb c\u00f4 l\u1eadp, b\u1ecb m\u1eafc k\u1eb9t, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ti\u1ec1n v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 ti\u1ebfng n\u00f3i n\u00e0o m\u00e0 th\u1ecb tr\u01b0\u1eddng c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 nghe \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c.<\/p>\n

Nh\u01b0ng c\u00f4ng ngh\u1ec7 s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 h\u00e0nh \u0111\u1ed9ng nh\u01b0 v\u00f2ng gi\u1ea3i m\u00e3 b\u00ed m\u1eadt m\u00f3c n\u1ed1i khu v\u1ef1c ch\u00ednh th\u1ee9c v\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng ch\u00ednh th\u1ee9c. C\u00e1c t\u00e1 \u0111i\u1ec1n \u0111\u00e3 d\u00f9ng \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i di \u0111\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ec3 trao \u0111\u1ed5i b\u00ean trong m\u1ea1ng c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd, \u0111\u1ec3 n\u00f3i chuy\u1ec7n v\u1edbi gia \u0111\u00ecnh v\u00e0 b\u1ea1n b\u00e8. C\u00e1c th\u1ec3 ch\u1ebf t\u1ea1o ra th\u1ecb tr\u01b0\u1eddng ch\u00ednh th\u1ee9c trao \u0111\u1ed5i theo c\u00f9ng c\u00e1ch. Cho n\u00ean b\u00e2y gi\u1edd c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng sinh ra \u0111\u1ed1i tho\u1ea1i hai chi\u1ec1u gi\u1eefa ng\u01b0\u1eddi s\u1ea3n xu\u1ea5t ch\u00e2u Phi v\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi ti\u00eau th\u1ee5 ch\u00e2u Phi – v\u00e0 \u0111\u00e2y l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t \u0111\u1ed1i tho\u1ea1i ho\u00e0n to\u00e0n m\u1edbi. M\u1ed7i b\u00ean s\u1ebd c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng di\u1ec5n \u0111\u1ea1t nhu c\u1ea7u c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh cho b\u00ean kia l\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean<\/p>\n

H\u00ecnh dung m\u1ed9t t\u00e1 \u0111i\u1ec1n c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 kh\u00e1m ph\u00e1, m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch d\u1ec5 d\u00e0ng, r\u1eb1ng khoai lang \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c mong \u0111\u1ee3i c\u00f3 gi\u00e1 cao n\u0103m nay. Ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00f3 c\u0169ng c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 li\u00ean h\u1ec7 v\u1edbi m\u1ed9t h\u1ee3p t\u00e1c x\u00e3 \u0111\u1ecba ph\u01b0\u01a1ng \u0111\u1ec3 t\u1ed5 h\u1ee3p khoai lang c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh v\u1edbi khoai lang c\u1ee7a h\u00e0ng x\u00f3m, tho\u1ea3 m\u00e3n cho y\u00eau c\u1ea7u kh\u1ed1i l\u01b0\u1ee3ng c\u1ee7a ng\u01b0\u1eddi mua. V\u00ec ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c \u0111\u1ea3m b\u1ea3o v\u1ec1 b\u00e1n v\u00e0o l\u00fac thu ho\u1ea1ch, ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00f3 c\u0169ng c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111\u1ea3m \u0111\u01b0\u01a1ng vay ti\u1ec1n, d\u00f9ng \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh, \u0111\u1ec3 mua ph\u00e2n b\u00f3n hay ch\u1ed7 ch\u1ee9a t\u1ed1t h\u01a1n hay b\u1ea5t k\u00ec c\u00e1i g\u00ec kh\u00e1c ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00f3 c\u1ea7n \u0111\u1ec3 l\u00e0m c\u1ef1c \u0111\u1ea1i s\u1ea3n l\u01b0\u1ee3ng c\u1ee7a m\u00ecnh. \u0110\u1ed3ng th\u1eddi, thay v\u00ec ch\u1edd \u0111\u1ee3i vi\u1ec7c t\u1edbi th\u0103m t\u1eeb m\u1ed9t c\u00f4ng nh\u00e2n m\u00e0 c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 bi\u1ebft hay kh\u00f4ng\u00a0 bi\u1ebft v\u1ec1 khoai lang v\u00e0 \u0111\u1ea5t trong v\u00f9ng \u0111\u1eb7c bi\u1ec7t, ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u00f3 c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 l\u1ea5y l\u1eddi khuy\u00ean \u0111\u1ec1u ch\u1ec9nh c\u00e2y tr\u1ed3ng v\u00e0 ki\u1ec3u \u0111\u1ea5t qua video s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c hay nh\u1eafn tin.<\/p>\n

Khi th\u00f4ng tin c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 ch\u1ea3y d\u1ec5 d\u00e0ng, khi d\u1eef li\u1ec7u \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c d\u00e2n ch\u1ee7 ho\u00e1, chi ph\u00ed cho vi\u1ec7c l\u00e0m kinh doanh trong n\u00f4ng nghi\u1ec7p gi\u1ea3m xu\u1ed1ng, c\u0169ng nh\u01b0 chi ph\u00ed giao t\u00e1c gi\u1ea3m xu\u1ed1ng khi giao t\u00e1c t\u00e0i ch\u00ednh th\u00e0nh s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c. N\u00f4ng d\u00e2n t\u1ed1n th\u1eddi gian v\u00e0 ti\u1ec1n qu\u00e1 m\u1ee9c, kinh doanh n\u00f4ng nghi\u1ec7p, v\u00e0 c\u00e1c h\u1ee3p t\u00e1c x\u00e3 l\u00e0m qu\u1ea3n l\u00ed r\u1ee7i ro kinh doanh v\u1edbi \u0111\u1ed1i t\u00e1c kh\u00f4ng bi\u1ebft l\u00e0 tr\u1edf ng\u1ea1i cho t\u00ednh hi\u1ec7u qu\u1ea3. Khi nh\u1eefng \u0111\u1ed1i t\u00e1c n\u00e0y c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 bi\u1ebft l\u1eabn nhau m\u1ed9t c\u00e1ch d\u1ec5 d\u00e0ng – c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 v\u1eadn h\u00e0nh nh\u01b0 c\u00e1c n\u00fat trong m\u1ed9t th\u1ecb tr\u01b0\u1eddng – n\u00f4ng nghi\u1ec7p s\u1ebd ph\u00e1t \u0111\u1ea1t.<\/p>\n

S\u1ef1 vi\u1ec7c c\u0169ng kh\u00f4ng d\u1ec5 nh\u01b0 c\u00e1c \u0111o\u1ea1n tr\u00ean c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 l\u00e0m cho n\u00f3 c\u00f3 v\u1ebb v\u1eady. X\u00e2y d\u1ef1ng h\u1ec7 th\u1ed1ng n\u00f4ng nghi\u1ec7p s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c m\u00e0 th\u1ef1c t\u1ea1i ho\u00e0n th\u00e0nh c\u00e1c m\u1ee5c \u0111\u00edch n\u00e0y s\u1ebd c\u1ea7n ph\u00e1t ki\u1ebfn v\u00e0 \u0111\u1ea7u t\u01b0. Nh\u01b0ng v\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 l\u00e0 \u1edf ch\u1ed7 tr\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111\u00e2y \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c, v\u00e0 b\u00e2y gi\u1edd n\u00f3 c\u00f3 \u0111\u00f3. Bi\u1ebfn thi\u00ean gia t\u0103ng c\u1ee7a c\u00f4ng ngh\u1ec7 s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c \u0111\u00e3 l\u00e0m thay \u0111\u1ed5i ph\u01b0\u01a1ng tr\u00ecnh ph\u00e1t tri\u1ec3n n\u00f4ng nghi\u1ec7p.<\/p>\n

C\u00c1C \u1ee8NG D\u1ee4NG S\u1ed0 TH\u1ee8C KH\u00c1C CHO N\u00d4NG NGHI\u1ec6P<\/p>\n

Trong khi c\u00f4ng ngh\u1ec7 \u0111i\u1ec7n tho\u1ea1i di \u0111\u1ed9ng – v\u00e0 c\u00e1ch th\u1ee9c n\u00f3 c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 l\u00e0m s\u1ee5p \u0111\u1ed5 c\u00e1i ch\u00ednh th\u1ee9c v\u00e0 c\u00e1i kh\u00f4ng ch\u00ednh th\u1ee9c – c\u00f3 l\u1ebd l\u00e0 c\u00e1ch m\u1ea1ng nh\u1ea5t c\u1ee7a c\u01a1 h\u1ed9i s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c trong n\u00f4ng nghi\u1ec7p, c\u00f2n c\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u \u1ee9ng d\u1ee5ng kh\u00e1c.<\/p>\n

L\u1ea5y g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng ch\u1eb3ng h\u1ea1n. Ti\u1ebfn b\u1ed9 trong h\u1ec7 gen \u0111ang l\u00e0m thay \u0111\u1ed5i n\u1ec1n t\u1ea3ng c\u00e1ch ng\u01b0\u1eddi g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng l\u00e0m c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c c\u1ee7a h\u1ecd. C\u00e1c nh\u00e0 khoa h\u1ecdc m\u1ea5t 13 n\u0103m l\u1eadp chu\u1ed7i gen con ng\u01b0\u1eddi. Gi\u1edd h\u1ecd c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 l\u00e0m \u0111i\u1ec1u \u0111\u00f3 trong 27 gi\u1edd. Chi ph\u00ed cho vi\u1ec7c s\u1eafp chu\u1ed7i m\u1ed9t h\u1ec7 gen \u0111\u00e3 gi\u1ea3m \u0111i h\u01a1n 10 l\u1ea7n so v\u1edbi n\u0103m n\u0103m tr\u01b0\u1edbc.<\/p>\n

S\u1eafn l\u00e0 m\u1ed9t v\u00ed d\u1ee5 m\u1ea1nh m\u1ebd v\u1ec1 g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng – \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u00e0m m\u1ea1nh b\u1edfi cu\u1ed9c c\u00e1ch m\u1ea1ng h\u1ec7 gen – c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 l\u00e0m \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c g\u00ec. Kh\u00f3 g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng s\u1eafn, v\u00e0 m\u1ecdi chu k\u00ec g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng \u0111\u1ec1u m\u1ea5t n\u0103m n\u0103m, \u0111i\u1ec1u c\u00f3 ngh\u0129a l\u00e0 th\u01b0\u1eddng m\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 th\u1eadp k\u1ec9 \u0111\u1ec3 \u0111\u01b0a ra m\u1ed9t bi\u1ebfn th\u1ec3 m\u1edbi.<\/p>\n

Nh\u01b0ng c\u00e1c nh\u00e0 khoa h\u1ecdc b\u00e2y gi\u1edd c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 d\u00f9ng c\u00e1c thu\u1eadt to\u00e1n m\u00e1y t\u00ednh \u0111\u1ec3 m\u00f3c n\u1ed1i chu\u1ed7i d\u1eef li\u1ec7u t\u1eeb h\u1ec7 gen s\u1eafn \u0111\u1ec3 l\u00e0m ra c\u00e2y s\u1eafn tr\u00ean c\u00e1nh \u0111\u1ed3ng. K\u0129 thu\u1eadt n\u00e0y \u0111\u1ea7u ti\u00ean \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ph\u00e1t tri\u1ec3n \u0111\u1ec3 d\u1ef1 \u0111o\u00e1n c\u00e1c m\u1ee9c s\u1ea3n xu\u1ea5t s\u1eefa trong b\u00f2.<\/p>\n

Ng\u01b0\u1eddi g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng \u1edf c\u00e1c n\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111ang ph\u00e1t tri\u1ec3n s\u1ebd c\u00f3 kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng d\u1ef1 ki\u1ebfn c\u00e1ch g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng s\u1eafn nh\u1ecf s\u1ebd th\u1ef1c hi\u1ec7n th\u1ebf n\u00e0o. K\u1ebft qu\u1ea3 l\u00e0, chu k\u00ec g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u00e0m ng\u1eafn l\u1ea1i t\u1eeb n\u0103m n\u0103m xu\u1ed1ng hai n\u0103m. V\u00e0 kh\u00f4ng ch\u1ec9 l\u00e0 chu k\u00ec ng\u1eafn l\u1ea1i. N\u00f3 c\u0169ng c\u00f3 ch\u1ea5t l\u01b0\u1ee3ng cao h\u01a1n, v\u00ec ng\u01b0\u1eddi g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 h\u1ed9i t\u1ee5 v\u00e0o nh\u1eefng n\u00e9t mong mu\u1ed1n nh\u1ea5t trong qu\u00e1 tr\u00ecnh n\u00e0y. \u0110i\u1ec1u n\u00e0y c\u0169ng s\u1ebd cho ph\u00e9p vi\u1ec7c g\u00e2y gi\u1ed1ng c\u00f3 nhi\u1ec1u s\u1ef1 tham gia h\u01a1n, m\u1ed9t qu\u00e1 tr\u00ecnh theo \u0111\u00f3 b\u1ea3n th\u00e2n ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00f4ng d\u00e2n \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u01b0a v\u00e0o trong vi\u1ec7c ph\u00e1t tri\u1ec3n c\u00e1c bi\u1ebfn th\u1ec3 m\u1edbi m\u00e0 h\u1ecd s\u1ebd tr\u1ed3ng.<\/p>\n

Cu\u1ed9c c\u00e1ch m\u1ea1ng s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c c\u0169ng cung c\u1ea5p c\u01a1 h\u1ed9i \u0111\u1ec3 thu th\u1eadp d\u1eef li\u1ec7u t\u1ed1t h\u01a1n. Trong m\u1ed9t th\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea1i m\u00e0 v\u1ec7 tinh c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 x\u00e1c \u0111\u1ecbnh ngay c\u00f3 bao nhi\u00eau l\u00faa m\u00ec tr\u00ean c\u00e1nh \u0111\u1ed3ng, th\u1eadt l\u00e0 x\u1ea5u h\u1ed5 khi ch\u00fang ta \u0111\u00f2i h\u1ecfi c\u00e1c n\u01b0\u1edbc d\u00f9ng nh\u1eefng t\u00e0i nguy\u00ean gi\u1edbi h\u1ea1n \u0111\u1ec3 ph\u00e1i ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111i ki\u1ec3m k\u00ea b\u1eb1ng b\u00fat ch\u00ec, gi\u1ea5y v\u00e0 th\u01b0\u1edbc \u0111o. \u0110i\u1ec1u ch\u00fang ta c\u00f3 \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c l\u00e0 nhi\u1ec1u ph\u00ed ph\u1ea1m th\u1eddi gian v\u00e0 d\u1eef li\u1ec7u kh\u00f4ng ch\u00ednh x\u00e1c hay kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ea7y \u0111\u1ee7. Cu\u1ed9c c\u00e1ch m\u1ea1ng s\u1ed1 th\u1ee9c c\u00f3 th\u1ec3 c\u1ea3i ti\u1ebfn ch\u1ea5t l\u01b0\u1ee3ng c\u1ee7a c\u00e1c d\u1eef li\u1ec7u m\u1ea5u ch\u1ed1t trong khi gi\u1ea3i ph\u00f3ng con ng\u01b0\u1eddi \u0111\u1ec3 l\u00e0m c\u00f4ng vi\u1ec7c c\u00f3 t\u00e1c \u0111\u1ed9ng cao.<\/p>\n

K\u1ebeT LU\u1eacN<\/p>\n

T\u00f4i v\u1eabn kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 d\u1ef1 \u0111o\u00e1n \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c ch\u00ednh x\u00e1c l\u00e0m sao\u00a0 – hay khi n\u00e0o – nh\u1eefng thay \u0111\u1ed5i n\u00e0y s\u1ebd x\u1ea3y ra. C\u00e1i hay c\u1ee7a ph\u00e1t ki\u1ebfn l\u00e0 \u1edf ch\u1ed7 m\u1ed9t khi c\u00f4ng ngh\u1ec7 v\u00e0 c\u00f4ng c\u1ee5 s\u1eb5n c\u00f3 r\u1ed9ng r\u00e3i, m\u1ecdi ng\u01b0\u1eddi v\u1edbi m\u1ecdi kh\u1ea3 n\u0103ng s\u00e1ng su\u1ed1t v\u00e0 quan \u0111i\u1ec3m b\u1eaft \u0111\u1ea7u l\u00e0m vi\u1ec7c tr\u00ean gi\u1ea3i ph\u00e1p cho v\u1ea5n \u0111\u1ec1 m\u00e0 ng\u01b0\u1eddi kh\u00e1c th\u1eadm ch\u00ed kh\u00f4ng th\u1ec3 th\u1ea5y \u0111\u01b0\u1ee3c. Chung cu\u1ed9c, \u0111\u00f3 l\u00e0 c\u00e1ch th\u1ee9c m\u00e0 con ng\u01b0\u1eddi, v\u1edbi kho kh\u00e9o l\u00e9o bao la, tri\u1ec3n khai s\u1ee9c m\u1ea1nh c\u1ee7a c\u00f4ng ngh\u1ec7 v\u00e0 c\u00f4ng c\u1ee5 t\u1ea1o ra kh\u00e1c bi\u1ec7t l\u1edbn nh\u1ea5t.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—English version—<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why the Future Is Bright for the World\u2019s Poorest Farmers<\/h1>\n

By\u00a0Bill Gates\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

January 20, 2016<\/p>\n

I have probably learned more about farming in <\/em>Africa<\/em> from Sam Dryden than from any other person. Sam has been spent decades working in agriculture, including a stint at the Gates Foundation, and he is passionate about improving the lives of the poorest. So when he asked me to contribute to a series of articles in<\/em>\u00a0Foreign Affairs\u00a0on the future of farming and its role in fighting poverty, I was happy to do it. My essay is below. You can download the whole series\u2014which includes authors like Kofi Annan and Sir Gordon Conway\u2014here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

One thing I\u2019ve learned in my work with Microsoft is that the process of innovation tends to take longer than many people expect, but it also tends to be more revolutionary than they imagine. We are seeing this dynamic play out right now in the way digital technology is fundamentally reorganizing life for the poorest people in the world.<\/p>\n

Twenty years ago, when the Internet was brand new, a lot of people thought computers would quickly become part of daily life in developing countries. And when I say \u201ca lot of people,\u201d I include myself. But those people weren\u2019t thinking about all the facts.<\/p>\n

In 1997, I traveled to South Africa for the first time. I spent most of my time in big office buildings in downtown Johannesburg. One day, though, I took a side trip to Soweto, where Microsoft was donating computers and software to a community center\u2014the same kind of thing we did in the United States.<\/p>\n

But it became clear to me very quickly that Soweto was not like\u00a0the United States. I had seen statistics on poverty, and I had seen a lot of poor communities, but this was the first time I had ever really seen true poverty. I was struck by what I didn\u2019t see. No electricity. No running water. No toilets. No roads.<\/p>\n

The community center had no consistent source of power, so they had rigged up an extension cord that ran about 200 feet from the center to a diesel generator outside. Looking at the setup, I knew right away that the minute I left, the generator would get moved to a more urgent task, and the people who used the community center would go back to worrying about challenges that couldn’t be solved by a PC.<\/p>\n

When I gave my prepared remarks to the press, I said: \u201cSoweto is a milestone. There are major decisions ahead about whether technology will leave the developing world behind. This is to close the gap.\u201d<\/p>\n

But as I was reading those words, I knew there was much more to the story. What I didn’t say was: \u201cBy the way, we’re not focused on the fact that three quarters of the people in this region are eking out a living on tiny farms that don\u2019t produce enough food. But we’re sure going to bring you computers.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the past 20 years, however, digital technology has gradually insinuated itself into poor people\u2019s lives in ways I never could have predicted. For example, about two-thirds of Africans now have mobile phones, and pretty soon cellular coverage will be more or less universal. The power of a phone in every pocket is turning out to be extremely disruptive in exciting ways\u2014and the poor finally have a chance to use technology in ways that solve the real problems they face in their lives.<\/p>\n

CELL PHONES AND THE FINANCIAL SERVICES REVOLUTION<\/p>\n

Mobile phones have recreated the economics of providing financial services to the poor. In an analog era when banking required buildings, piles of paperwork, security guards, and tellers, the cost per transaction was high enough that no company could even conceive of profiting by serving poor people who transacted in tiny amounts. As a result, the poor led their financial lives informally, paying exorbitant amounts in fees and interest to borrow, save, and send money.<\/p>\n

But phones get rid of all that expensive infrastructure. Transaction costs are so low that companies can make money by serving the poor. And in the process of competing for poor people\u2019s business, these companies will develop new financial products that meet poor people\u2019s unique needs. One example is a new company called M-KOPA, which lets 250,000 customers in three African countries pay for solar electricity (instead of kerosene) in small daily installments through their cell phones. In short, digital financial services can create one thriving formal economy that includes everyone.<\/p>\n

In fact, since developing countries aren\u2019t stuck with a legacy analog banking system, I believe that for the foreseeable future the boldest ideas in financial services will be coming from upstart companies in poor places instead of the big companies we\u2019ve all heard of.<\/p>\n

DIGITAL AGRICULTURE<\/p>\n

If there is another example of a market that simply does not work for the poor, it\u2019s agriculture. But digital technology can change that, too.<\/p>\n

Right now, hundreds of millions of Africans rely on farming for a living, but they don\u2019t grow as much\u2014and they don\u2019t sell as much of their surplus\u2014as they could. As a result, Africa had to import $40 billion worth of food last year. Something is not functioning properly when half of the continent\u2019s labor produces food, and the continent still buys its food from somewhere else!<\/p>\n

So what is going wrong? Why aren\u2019t African smallholders tapping into that $40 billion market?<\/p>\n

The main problem stems from the fact that agricultural markets, like banks, exist on a formal plane, whereas smallholders exist on an informal one. So farmers and markets cannot communicate effectively. Smallholders don\u2019t know what the market will pay. They can\u2019t grow crops according to the market\u2019s specifications because they don\u2019t know the specifications. They have no way to learn the farm-management practices that would let them double or even triple their yields. Instead, they grow mostly what they can eat or trade locally, the way they\u2019ve always grown it.<\/p>\n

As long as this information disconnect exists, there will be a related physical disconnect. The rails and roads that would take crops from the farm gate to the market don\u2019t exist, because the market doesn\u2019t want the crops the farmers are growing in the ways and volumes they\u2019re growing them. So farmers are isolated, stuck with no money and no voice that the marketplace can hear.<\/p>\n

But digital technology can act almost like a secret decoder ring that links the formal and informal sectors. Smallholders are already using mobile phones to communicate within their networks, to talk to family and friends. The institutions that make up the formal marketplace communicate in much the same way. So it is now possible to generate a two-way conversation between Africa\u2019s producers and Africa\u2019s consumers\u2014and this is an entirely new conversation. Each party will be able to express its needs to the other for the first time ever.<\/p>\n

Imagine a smallholder farmer who can discover, easily, that yams are expected to fetch a high price this year. She can also contact a local cooperative to combine her yams with those of her neighbor, satisfying the buyers\u2019 volume requirements. Because she is assured of sale at harvest, she can afford to take out a loan, using her phone, to buy fertilizer or better storage or whatever else she needs to maximize her yield. In the meantime, instead of waiting for a visit from an extension worker who may or may not know about yams and the soil in this particular region, she can get advice tailored by crop and soil type via digital video or text.<\/p>\n

When information can flow easily, when data is democratized, the cost of doing business in agriculture goes way down, just as transaction costs go way down when financial transactions are digital. The excessive time and money farmers, agribusinesses, and cooperatives spend managing the risk of doing business with unknown partners is a drag on efficiency. When these partners can know each other easily\u2014can function as nodes in a single marketplace\u2014agriculture will thrive.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not as easy as the above paragraphs may make it seem. Building a digital agriculture system that actually accomplishes these goals will take innovation and investment. But the point is that before it wasn\u2019t possible, and now it is. The added variable of digital technology has changed the agricultural development equation.<\/p>\n

OTHER DIGITAL APPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURE<\/p>\n

While mobile phone technology\u2014and the way it can collapse the formal and the informal\u2014is perhaps the most revolutionary of the digital opportunities in agriculture, there are many others.<\/p>\n

Take seeds. Advances in genomics are fundamentally changing the way breeders do their work. It took researchers 13 years to sequence the human genome. Now they can do it in 27 hours. The cost of sequencing a genome has been reduced more than 10-fold in the past five years.<\/p>\n

Cassava is a powerful example of what breeding\u2014powered by the revolution in genomics\u2014can do. It\u2019s hard to breed cassava, and every breeding cycle takes five years, which means it usually takes a full decade to release a new variety.<\/p>\n

But scientists can now use computer algorithms to link sequence data from the cassava genome to the performance of cassava plants in the field. This technique was first developed to predict levels of milk production in cows.<\/p>\n

Breeders in developing countries will be able to predict how a tiny cassava seedling will perform. Consequently, the breeding cycle can be shortened from five years to two years. And it\u2019s not just a shorter cycle. It\u2019s also higher-quality, because breeders can focus on the most desirable traits early in the process. This will also allow for more participatory breeding, a process in which farmers themselves have input into the development of the new varieties they\u2019ll be growing.<\/p>\n

The digital revolution also provides opportunities to collect better data. In an age when a satellite can determine instantly how much wheat is in a field, it is a shame that we ask countries to use limited resources to send enumerators around with pen, paper, and tape measure. What we get is a lot of wasted time and inaccurate or incomplete data. The digital revolution can improve the quality of critical data while freeing up people to do other high-impact work.<\/p>\n

CONCLUSION<\/p>\n

I still can\u2019t predict precisely how\u2014or when\u2014these changes will take hold. The beauty of innovation is that once the technology and tools are widely available, people with every possible insight and point of view start working on solutions to problems others can\u2019t even see. Ultimately, it\u2019s the way human beings, with our vast stores of ingenuity, deploy the power of the technology and tools that makes the biggest difference.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

20\/1\/2016 T\u00f4i c\u00f3 l\u1ebd \u0111\u00e3 bi\u1ebft nhi\u1ec1u v\u1ec1 ngh\u1ec1 n\u00f4ng \u1edf ch\u00e2u Phi t\u1eeb Sam Dryden h\u01a1n t\u1eeb b\u1ea5t k\u00ec ng\u01b0\u1eddi n\u00e0o kh\u00e1c. Sam \u0111\u00e3 … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4956","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cac-van-de-khac"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4956","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4956"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4956\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4957,"href":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4956\/revisions\/4957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4956"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4956"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science-technology.vn\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4956"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}