Making ICT work for Bangladesh's farmers

Agriculture is one of the major driving forces of the Bangladesh economy, providing employment to just under half the workforce and contributing around 20% towards national GDP; however, a significant proportion of those involved in agriculture, both as producers and labourers, live close to the poverty line. A major factor inhibiting their economic growth is their lack of access to relevant and timely information. The public sector has an impressive extension workforce which is delivering information to farmers. However, owing to resource limitations a vast number of farmers remain uncovered and fall out of this information loop.