ICT for Rural DevelopmentICT for Rural Development

TopicsTopics

IntroductionIntroduction Information RevolutionInformation Revolution What is ICTWhat is ICT Potential Uses of ICTsPotential Uses of ICTs Innovative Applications of ICTs in rural areasInnovative Applications of ICTs in rural areas ConstraintsConstraints ConclusionConclusion

Essence of Information and Essence of Information and Information TechnologyInformation 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 RevolutionInformation Revolution

The explosion of information, facilitated by the technological revolution in computer applicationsand 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 revolutionCritiques 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.

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Impacts of Information RevolutionImpacts 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 ICTMeaning of ICTICTs 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 administrationPublic administration: ICTs facilitate the provision public

information that is useful to the community at large. E.g e-Government

Urban and Rural DevelopmentUrban 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 ICTsPotential uses of ICTs

Potential uses of ICTsPotential uses of ICTs2. Improving the quality of life for citizens such as in:

Health: Health: E.g TelemedicineE.g Telemedicine

Special NeedsSpecial Needs (for the Physically Challenged) : Braille keyboards and printers, SMS etc

Potential uses of ICTsPotential uses of ICTs

• EducationEducation: E.g Libraries have migrated from the traditional : E.g Libraries have migrated from the traditional Cataloguing system to a web-based cataloguing and search Cataloguing system to a web-based cataloguing and search application. E.g E-Learningapplication. E.g E-Learning

• AgricultureAgriculture : There are expert system designed to handle : There are expert system designed to handle agricultural issues such as water utilisation and management, pest agricultural issues such as water utilisation and management, pest control, harvest management and so forth. control, harvest management and so forth.

• EnvironmentEnvironment: E.g GIS is an automated system that enables the : E.g GIS is an automated system that enables the capture, storage, checking, integration, manipulation, analysis, capture, storage, checking, integration, manipulation, analysis, display, and modeling of complex spatial datadisplay, and modeling of complex spatial data

Potential uses of ICTsPotential uses of ICTs3. Sharing Knowledge and Improving Access to Information

E-mail, The web and other platform of information communicationE-mail, The web and other platform of information communication

4. Facilitating Activities in the Business Sector such as:

ManufacturingManufacturing :For instance, the use of Computer-aided-design :For instance, the use of Computer-aided-design (CAD) has improved the design stages of machine tools. (CAD) has improved the design stages of machine tools.

Electronic CommerceElectronic Commerce

Travel and TourismTravel and Tourism: ICTs in this industry consist of various : ICTs in this industry consist of various components that include computerised reservation systems, components that include computerised reservation systems, teleconferencing, video, video brochures, management information teleconferencing, video, video brochures, management information systems, airline electronic information systems, electronic funds systems, airline electronic information systems, electronic funds transfer, digital telephone networks, smart cards, mobile transfer, digital telephone networks, smart cards, mobile communication, e-mail, and Internet. communication, e-mail, and Internet.

Innovative applications of ICTs in Innovative applications of ICTs in rural areasrural areas

FAO’s ICT-based InterventionsFAO’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 WAICENTFAO 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, ResearchVirtual Extension, Researchandand Communication NetworkCommunication Network VERCON can close gap between researchers and ex

tension 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 NetworkFarmer Information Networkfor Agricultural and Rural Developmentfor Agricultural and Rural Development

FarmNet is: a network of rural people using communication tools

and processes to facilitate generating, gathering and exchanging of k

nowledge and information among themselves with intermediary organisations that work with them.

Farmers’ Information & Farmers’ Information & Technology Services (FITS)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 Mango Information Network (MIN)(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 Constraints in the establishment and management of ICT-based rural management of ICT-based rural projectsprojects

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 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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