A text message away: ICTs as a tool to improve food security |
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| Authors: | Eduardo Nakasone Maximo Torero |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Agricultural, Food & Resource Economics and Department of Media & Information, Michigan State University, Markets, Trade and Institutions Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, East Lansing, MI, USA;2. Markets, Trade and Institutions Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA |
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| Abstract: | The growing use of ICTs around the world, particularly cellular phone technology, provides a significant development opportunity. Under certain situations, ICTs can improve rural households’ agricultural production, farm profitability, job opportunities, adoption of healthier practices, and risk management. All these effects have the potential to increase wellbeing and food security in rural areas of developing countries. Several challenges to effectively scaling up the use of ICTs for development remain, however. Taking advantage of the opportunities provided by ICTs depends on increased connectivity of marginalized population groups, the content and usefulness of the information provided through ICTs, and the capacity of households in rural areas to understand and act on the information that they receive. We need innovative ways to bring together the public and private sectors to ensure that the three Cs (connectivity, content, and capacity) are addressed as a whole. |
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| Keywords: | D83 O13 Q18 O32 Information and Communication Technologies Mobile phones Agricultural Extension Market Price Information |
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