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.

November, 2004, Josué Dioné (UNECA/SDD) et al.

This paper explores the Food Security and Food Policy Information Portal for Africa (FSIP), a multi-language, collaborative internet-based tool that was developed to help Africa achieve its development goals in agricultural sciences, food security and policy reform. The FSIP serves as a space for researchers on agriculture and agricultural policy to share research findings and case studies, training materials and other insights and experiences.

2006, International Institute for Communication and Development

This booklet is part of a series of publications that highlight the lessons learned and achievements of the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) and its partners in using ICTs for development in various sectors and countries. Analysis of the impact of IICD-supported projects indicates that ICTs can contribute to achieving the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to ‘eradicate extreme hunger and poverty’ by raising the income of small-scale farmers and strengthening the agriculture sector. Overall, ICTs contribute to better access to prices, markets and production information.

2003, Ajit Maru and Karin Ehrle, International Service for National Agricultural Service

This paper explores whether the North and the South will have different frameworks and evolutional paths for ICT use in agricultural research and development. The study is informed by the iNARS initiative, which consisted of discussions in an electronic forum, and country reports on ICT use from developing and developed countries. It compares and contrasts these elements in the context of agricultural research in the North and the South, and shows that new intermediaries are needed to maintain linkages between research and practice.

May 2007, Latin American Information Agency

Since the "Green Revolution", world food production has grown at a dizzy pace and yet hunger continues to spread throughout the globe. This book explores these new challenges, such as how to recover knowledge that was becoming lost, adapt it to current conditions and complement it with new knowledge. The authors combine reflections with concrete experiences and show how new information and communications technologies can foster effective knowledge sharing

2006, Richard Duncombe, Institute for Development Policy and Management

This paper seeks to provide a contribution to theorising ICT and development by applying a ‘livelihoods approach’ as a suitable framework of analysis, taking rural micro enterprise as an important potential area of ICT application in a developing country context.

2005, S. J. Jacobs and Marlien E. Herselman, International Journal of Education and Development Using ICT

The purpose of this article is to present the development of a model for successful implementation of ICT in a rural South African community and to make recommendations for better sustainability. Communities and locations with poor Internet availability are likely to be considered less favourable places for economic investments, thereby limiting enterprise development and job creation and restricting economic growth. THe authors propose an ICT - Hub structure that enables communities to manage their own development, by providing access to appropriate information, facilities, resources, training and services.

2003, Rahul Nainwal, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra

This Report is a part of a series commissioned by One World Building Digital Opportunities programme which aims "to give decision makers a clear understanding of how civil society is actually using ICT and its impact through a comprehensive study". The present study focuses on the use and impact of ICTs by an NGO working with rural nomadic communities in North India.

March 30, 2007, Peter Muello, The Guardian

This news brief highlights the efforts of the Brazilian government to provide internet connectivity and create telecentres among the Indian tribes which subsist in the Amazon rain forests. The government sought to "strengthen the Forest People's Network, a digital web for monitoring, protection and education'' on environmental issues.

May 2, 2007, UNESCO

The state government of Kerala through it's state wide ICT project Akshaya with support from UNESCO is going to create community portals in the local language (Malayalam). The portal will comprise vital information such as government schemes,information regarding agriculture, business ventures,products,local job vacancies, educational details,health information, legal rights and so on.