ICT for Rural Development

Topics Introduction Introduction Information Revolution Information Revolution What is ICT What is ICT Potential Uses of ICTs Potential Uses of ICTs Innovative Applications of ICTs in rural areas Innovative Applications of ICTs in rural areas Constraints Constraints Conclusion Conclusion

Essence of Information and Information Technology Information has become the defining feature of the modern world, mainly due to: The use of information in socio-political and economic spheres The rapid developments of information technologies to create, analyse, store, communicate, and disseminate information.

Information Revolution The explosion of information, facilitated by the technological revolution in computer applications and telecommunication networks. The increasing development in ICTs has revolutionized various sectors, such as manufacturing, business, agriculture, science and technology, schools and homes. The information revolution indicates the massive production of information

Critiques of Information revolution Invention of Printing Critics argue that the current information revolution is the 'second information revolution'. The invention of the printing machine in 1444 sparked the first information revolution. Gutenberg’s printing invention

Impacts of Information Revolution Technological advancement: computers, fibre optic cables, satellite, mobile phones etc Economic, business and financial implication: E-commerce, employment boost in the info sector Education: E-education Management and Control: Regulation and Policy in the info sector The Nation State: Virtual society, information society, national issues are discussed on global arena e.g ITU, WTO Urban Migration: Ideas and information move,making it less for people to move

Meaning of ICT ICTs refer to the various technologies that enhance the creation, storage, processing, communication and dissemination of information. ICTs also refer to the different infrastructures used in these processes, their applications and the numerous services these infrastructures render. We identify the following technologies as the elements of ICTs: Media of Communication (e.g radio, television) Information machine (e.g Computers) Telecommunications technologies and equipment (Satellites, fibre optic cables, phones, Facsimile machines) Telecommunications infrastructures have become the driving forces of ICTs; they have the capability to link all various ICT elements together.

1.Facilitating public and private sector activities in areas such as in: Public administration Public administration: ICTs facilitate the provision public information that is useful to the community at large. E.g e- Government Urban and Rural Development Urban and Rural Development: ICT applications are useful in facilitating development programs in many countries. E.g The establishment of telecenters in rural communities can facilitate economic empowerment. Transport: Transport: In the transport sector, ICT applications can be used to improve road, air and rail transportation. Potential uses of ICTs

2. Improving the quality of life for citizens such as in: Health: E.g Telemedicine Health: E.g Telemedicine Special Needs Special Needs (for the Physically Challenged) : Braille keyboards and printers, SMS etc

Potential uses of ICTs Education: E.g Libraries have migrated from the traditional Cataloguing system to a web-based cataloguing and search application. E.g E-Learning Education: E.g Libraries have migrated from the traditional Cataloguing system to a web-based cataloguing and search application. E.g E-Learning Agriculture : There are expert system designed to handle agricultural issues such as water utilisation and management, pest control, harvest management and so forth. Agriculture : There are expert system designed to handle agricultural issues such as water utilisation and management, pest control, harvest management and so forth. Environment: E.g GIS is an automated system that enables the capture, storage, checking, integration, manipulation, analysis, display, and modeling of complex spatial data Environment: E.g GIS is an automated system that enables the capture, storage, checking, integration, manipulation, analysis, display, and modeling of complex spatial data

Potential uses of ICTs 3. Sharing Knowledge and Improving Access to Information , The web and other platform of information communication 4.Facilitating Activities in the Business Sector such as: Manufacturing :For instance, the use of Computer-aided-design (CAD) has improved the design stages of machine tools. Manufacturing :For instance, the use of Computer-aided-design (CAD) has improved the design stages of machine tools. Electronic Commerce Electronic Commerce Travel and Tourism: ICTs in this industry consist of various components that include computerised reservation systems, teleconferencing, video, video brochures, management information systems, airline electronic information systems, electronic funds transfer, digital telephone networks, smart cards, mobile communication, , and Internet. Travel and Tourism: ICTs in this industry consist of various components that include computerised reservation systems, teleconferencing, video, video brochures, management information systems, airline electronic information systems, electronic funds transfer, digital telephone networks, smart cards, mobile communication, , and Internet.

Innovative applications of ICTs in rural areas

FAO’s ICT-based Interventions FAO ICT-based interventions target poor people in rural communities through: Special Programme for Food Security Farmer field schools Extension services and educational projects Community development projects

FAO WAICENT World Agricultural Information Centre FAO’s strategic program for agricultural information management, dissemination Enables member nations to access agricultural information essential for reducing poverty, achieving food security and sustainable rural development

Virtual Extension, Research and Communication Network VERCON can close gap between researchers and extension agents by improving generation, flow, sharing and collaborative use of agricultural knowledge and information –human network - collaborate, communicate –technology network - Internet-based ICT Joint projects with FAO’s Research, Extension & Training Division

Farmer Information Network for Agricultural and Rural Development FarmNet is: a network of rural people using communication tools and processes to facilitate generating, gathering and exchanging of knowledge and information among themselves with intermediary organisations that work with them.

Farmers’ Information & Technology Services (FITS) FITS is a web based information service initiative in the Philippines. FITS aims to contribute to the empowerment of farmers, processors, entrepreneurs and traders and provides information and technology services that facilitate decision making by rural communities.

Mango Information Network (MIN) MIN is a web-based information service that provides information on market outlook, pest management, directory of players in the mango industry, a virtual meeting place. MIN is relevant to farmers, farmer organisations, co-operatives, agents and entrepreneurs and offers a question and answer service.

Constraints in the establishment and management of ICT-based rural projects Some general problems that have been experienced in a number of ICT-based rural projects and initiatives include: –Policy considerations –High telecommunication costs –Infrastructure –Lack of local content and language barrier –High rate of illiteracy in rural areas –Gender insensitivity –Inadequate human resources –Sustainability of projects

Conclusion Information and Knowledge are essential Components for facilitating rural development and bringing social and economic change. The collaborative participation of agencies, organisations and government services could work jointly in planning and implementing initiatives that seek to harness ICTs for rural development. The partners could include UNDP, World Bank, British Council, national governments, regional organisations, private sector, NGOs, farmer associations and specialised ICT bodies such as ITU and telephone companies. Multipurpose community telecentres could play a key role in the "information renaissance" in developing countries and ensure universal access.

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