Information Society Watch

November 2005, e-Agriculture

The article looks at the challenges confronted by organisations looking to make an impact in rural communities by using ICTs. It outlines some of the key strategies that should be adopted in order successfully implement ICT programmes to positively change agriculture based livelihoods. Among these strategies are having a more inclusive approach that involves all stakeholders, having a more local flavour to the information exchange process and building on existing systems and capacity for a more seamless process. Adopting such approaches are expected to go a long way in removing some of the hindrances to the acceptance of ICTs as an empowering tool and thus increasing their effectiveness as a mechanism for the development of agricultural communities.

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