Title:
ICTs for agricultural livelihoods : impact and lessons learned from IICD supported activities
Authors:
Blommestein, N.
,
Krogt, S. van der
,
Lamoureux, L.
,
Morrow, K.
,
Neuman, F.
Place:
The Hague
Publisher:
IICD
Year:
2006
PAGE:
76
Language:
eng
Subject:
Information, Knowledge and Communication
Keywords:
information and communication technologies
,
agriculture
,
poverty
Abstract:
This booklet describes experiences and achievements of the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) and its partners with using ICT to enhance agricultural livelihoods through 35 projects over 6 years in 9 countries in Africa and Latin America. The projects address a wide range of information-related problems of small-scale farmers, including lack of accurate information on prices and markets for agricultural products, and limited access to information to solve problems in production and marketing. The projects are implemented by a range of stakeholders including farmers’ associations, agricultural cooperatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research institutions, and government agencies. An estimated 20,000 users directly participate in the projects via some 200 agricultural information centres. Analysis of the impact of IICD-supported projects indicates that ICTs can contribute to achieving the first Millennium Development Goal to ‘eradicate extreme hunger and poverty’ by raising the income of small-scale farmers and strengthening the agriculture sector. Overall, ICTs contribute to better access to prices, markets and production information. Recommendations for implementation of projects and policy processes are provided.
Organization:
IICD - International Institute for Communication and Development
Region:
Africa South of Sahara
,
Latin America
Category:
Practice
Right:
© 2006 IICD
Document type:
Report
File:
118686.pdf