The use of information and communication technologies for rural development and poverty alleviation in developing countries: An investigation of gender specific agricultural development

Lannonson Johndane
2005 South African Journal of Information and Communication  
The aim of this study is to investigate ways in which modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) can play a role in alleviating poverty, focusing on developing countries. The study looks at agricultural development, which is a critical subarea associated with poverty alleviation, and concentrates on gender specific agricultural development (GSAD), which refers to the development of agricultural practices through the use of innovative processes, with a focus on gender (Accascina,
more » ... 00) . Women are twice as likely to be involved in agriculture as men and, globally, women have a principal role in agribusiness, food processing and consumer-related activity . Women also make up 70% of agricultural workers, and produce 80% of the region's food in Sub-Saharan Africa (USAID, 2003). If there is benefit to be gained from the use of ICTs in rural agricultural development in Africa, it is therefore important to consider their use in the context of GSAD. This research study responds to a need to understand the factors that should be considered in implementing ICTs in this environment by bringing together a wide range of literature associated with ICTs and their use in gender agricultural development. To set some background for the study, the first section presents some of the issues pertaining to the so-called "digital divide". The second section describes the uses of ICTs and the key applications for GSAD, and in the third section the barriers to, and constraints on, the use of ICTs by women are outlined. 4 the southern african journal of information and communication issue 6 2005 O On ne e O On ne e ABSTRACT: Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become a priority among developing nations, and play a significant role in supporting rural development. A core aspect associated with rural development is gender specific agriculture, which focuses on elevating women's contributions towards economic and social enhancement through agriculture. An investigation into the use of ICTs by rural women farmers reveals the constraints they face when it comes to taking advantage of such technologies. Studies within Africa and other developing countries illustrate that these constraints are particularly associated with the social and cultural limitations that women encounter in the traditional environments that characterise most developing countries. Local communities, Government and non-governmental organisations should collaborate to devise policies and initiatives that can support the effective implementation and sustainability of ICT projects, and hence start to remove the barriers that limit the potential use of ICTs by rural women.
doi:10.23962/10539/19803 fatcat:xglr6itw5zfm7j37ysjchsrsqy