Communicating information for rural development

Three quarters of the world’s 1.4 billion poor people live in rural areas. Although agriculture is often their main source of income, the challenge of reducing rural poverty extends beyond farming. In many countries, agricultural services are established and functional but non-agricultural services to rural communities are often lacking. This means that income-generating alternatives to agriculture – an important part of rural livelihoods – are not being supported.

Research from the University of Maryland in the USA suggests that support for information and knowledge-building systems, such as new technology and training, will strengthen non-agriculture livelihoods. For example, new technology can develop cost-effective communication services (such as computer networks with internet access and electronic mail systems, cellular phone systems, interactive radio systems, and on-demand printing services) that meet different needs. Such systems could provide information to assist rural people in diversifying their livelihoods and finding non-agricultural pathways out of poverty.

• Many rural households rely on several income-generating activities, including agriculture. Non-agricultural activities usually raise money to support the farm. Information about jobs and managing household finances would support this.
• Some rural people, especially those who have experienced a major upheaval (such as drought), need external assistance to prevent their situation getting worse. These people need access to information about assistance programmes, community rights and other advice.
• Many people leave rural areas and send money home to support those left behind. Information about accessing work in other areas would be useful
• A minority of people stay in rural areas but abandon agriculture and run a small business instead. These people need information about micro-finance, credit or business management.

Rural communication networks have an important role to play in responding to the needs of people who pursue alternatives to agriculture. Knowledge and information systems for rural development could use existing information to direct people to resources that provide information, training and other assistance. These information systems could take a number of forms.

The research argues that:

• Communication and information communication technology (ICT) specialists should play a major role in organising and developing rural knowledge and information systems. Appropriate ICT programmes should have interactive features and mechanisms to adapt in response to feedback from users.
• Radio is the most appropriate ICT approach in many places.
• Local demands should determine the form of information systems in each place, not just wider rural problems.
• Systems will need ‘upwards’ and ‘downwards’ linkages to work effectively. They need to be connected with their rural users, government ministries, educational bodies and non-governmental organisations to ensure information is effectively communicated.
• Communication programmes will need money from users to ensure financial sustainability, as they are not a priority for public funding.

Whatever development approach rural people choose to improve their lifestyle and escape poverty, they will need information to adapt to changes in their livelihoods. Effective communication of new ideas, methods, and inputs will enhance productivity and improve competitiveness. It will also help rural people to start new activities.

Source(s):
‘Communication for Rural Development: Challenge to Diffuse Development Information on Non-agricultural Rural Needs’, prepared for the 9th United Nations Roundtable on Communication for Development, 6-9 September, 2004, held at the Food and Agricultural Organization, Rome, Italy, by W. M. Rivera, 2004

Funded by: Food and Agricultural Organization; Extension, Education and Communication Service (SDRE)

id21 Research Highlight: 2 February 2005

Further Information:
William McLeod Rivera
Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA)
3119 Jull Hall
University of Maryland
College Park
MD 20742-2525
USA

Tel: + 1 (0) 301 405 1253
Fax: + 1 (0) 301 314 9343
Contact the contributor: wr@umd.edu

Institute of Applied Agriculture, University of Maryland, USA

Other related links:
'How social networks enable new agricultural developments in rural China'

'How appropriate is software for developing ICT literacy in Africa?'

'Getting the poor connected – can public-private partnerships help to overcome the information divide'

Centre for Alternative Agricultural Media

A Livelihoods Approach to Communication and Information to Reduce Poverty