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Topic : The Role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Enhancing the Livelihoods of the Rural Poor  
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Comments From TAKNET Members
ADAM MAYINGU  : Monday, April 13, 2009    
  It is a good topic, but given the realities of life and more so in "developing countries", Urban dwellers are always first-then the rural folks-the trickle down effect . The recent I.T.U report INITIATIVE - ENABLING ACCESS has shown that we are still too far behind and as such to my opinion we need to think afresh.And nothing strange on this- even India falls almost in the same rank like many of our african countries. My take ; and this is what I have been talking to a number of meetings is that Development of ICT applications based on mobile phone technology can be a starting point!. The mobile phone is the ICT for africa and as such we need them.Niels Jensen is 200% correct-we have plenty of solar energy resources- a solar mobile phone charger is less than US 50 and the user can pay shs 500 to charge a phone. What we need now is how can this user access hosher/ saccos balanace using the phone, where he can sell his green vegetable for good price, the village leader can alert the villagers on the mad cow disease, there is new vaccinations etc.. these kind of applications are needed. Of course there are pre-requisites, literacy , affordable phones, telecoms operators, the lovely Govt and you all participating in this debate.

Thats my 2 cents

Adam Mayingu.

 
     

Maleva Selestine  : Monday, April 6, 2009    
  The group "Rural Poor" this needs clear elaboration, "Enhancing the Livelihoods positive for growth" is a multi-diversity dependent Ideology"

1. Rural Poor driven economy' has greately been destroyed by ICT being in place as a result of poor ICT policy of the countries been involved, the lack of knowing what is to be regulated, whether licenses or the benefits.

Details:

Supplus of subsistance based economy has lost market due to the so called ICT, inturn discouraging production beyond subsistance as there is no market to dispose for the growth. ICT has drastically increased DC's external markets which to day among the best importers are the poor countries as the cost of production can not outweigh the benefits for quality and price of imported goods leading to the Rural Poor natural death. The giant so supported net as reffered to Trade liberation.

Livelhood for poor can be only improved if the poors participate fully in the economy which is in back support with the internal capacity in production by highly restriction of imprtation of goods that can be found from this community. The ICT being the supportive tool to cheap alternatives for such goods from other countries this has caused no need of people in deed of such goods not ready to find them among communities.

If to day you restrictly the big trade gateway like ALIBABA NETWORKS, TRADEKEY, THE MARKET PLACE, and other market search gateway on the web. You will have people turning to buy chickens from rural and not importing from other countries abroad, the demand of rural products suchs as green vegitables, peas, Rice, Maize , Meat, just to mention few will increase drastically and in turn the production of good will increase as the production will be demand driven. The we need at that point the reinforcenment of the govenment restriction on such goods importation will lead to such goods dry in malls and supermarkets, hence a bit starvation leading to the increasing demand that will lead to large scale investiments for such products within country in in ten years no one will be poor, after 100 years you will be among the first world economies.

The current ICT adoption is of no worth to our country, as the ICT policy of the country is a cut and paste only people with low intelligence can buy it, now we need the total restructuring' if one is looking for the market it has to restrictly the hit is within country for products that are attainable within country.

Before looking for the role of ICT for the poor country as already it has done worse than the litle we get in easiering communication. The national reform for the practical nation ICT policy for the influence of the contry in concern is on high demand and not Bla bla.

Dont implement before analysis and design as you will get lost on the way.

You are welcome.

Maleva

IT and Telecom Consulting Engineer

Hill Brokes Technologies Ltd

Cell; +255 754 710397

 
     

Dr. Dinesh S. Hegde  : Tuesday, March 31, 2009    
  I would like to differ with Dr. Noorani in that it is not an either or approach. Both fundamental sciences and applied sciences have their purpose and significance. While the former is more on rigour and the latter on relevance. In the short and medium runs, we need not reinvent the wheal but try to make use of it to the extent necessary and feasible.

Yes, it is vital in the long run, to make progress in fundamental sciences. The issue of ICT should be seen as a critical infrastructure input and also as an enabler in disseminating info. on weather, prices, family planning, education, health etc. Here comes the relevance!

Dr. DS Hegde

 
     

Dr Noorali Jiwaji  : Thursday, March 26, 2009    
  ICT is applied science.

But the primary pillar of progress is SCIENCE and fundamental science at that, and includes Mathematics too.

Can we generate a discussion on this?

Dr Noorali Jiwaji

 
     

Emanuel Feruzi  : Friday, March 20, 2009    
  I have been working on localizing a tool that comes on Edubuntu, (can also be installed on any Linux System). Its done lets just localize it, that is if it meets the needs of this discussion. I have installed the system and played with it, and it quick a smart piece of software. In systems of this nature it will be good if we first check on the open source community if a solution like that has been developed. And if it has, then we then can get a number of developers to just customize and scale it, than to develop one from ground.

Introducing SchoolTool

Our vision is for a common information systems platform for school administration from California to Calcutta, via Cape Town! We hope to provide a single tool that will be readily adapted to the specific regulatory requirements and practices of different countries and regions, but that retains enough common functionality to make a shared development effort worthwhile. The SchoolTool will be freely available under an Open Source license, and commercial editions with additional functionality might also be available if 3rd party developers wish to build commercial products on top of the universal platform.

SchoolTool will draw members of the education community: staff, students, parents, alumni and administrators into a tight-knit community with instant access to relevant information. SchoolTool will not depend on a technology-intensive environment, but in those schools with broad and deep access to technology in the form of computers, laptops, PDA's, cellphones and wireless pagers, SchoolTool will leverage those forms of communication and devices to deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Features : School Model, Demographics, Calendar, Resource Booking, Attendance Jornal, Reporting ect. For More http://book.schooltool.org/htmlhelp/intrepid-features.html

For more on SchoolTool: http://www.schooltool.org/

Introducing Moodle

Moodle is a software package for producing Internet-based courses and web sites. It is a global development project designed to support a social constructionist framework of education.

Moodle's overall design(impressive):

* Promotes a social constructionist pedagogy (collaboration, activities, critical reflection, etc)

* Suitable for 100% online classes as well as supplementing face-to-face learning

* Simple, lightweight, efficient, compatible, low-tech browser interface

* Easy to install on almost any platform that supports PHP. Requires only one database (and can share it).

* Full database abstraction supports all major brands of database (except for initial table definition)

* Course listing shows descriptions for every course on the server, including accessibility to guests.

* Courses can be categorised and searched - one Moodle site can support thousands of courses

* Emphasis on strong security throughout. Forms are all checked, data validated, cookies encrypted etc

* Most text entry areas (resources, forum postings etc) can be edited using an embedded WYSIWYG HTML editor

Course management

* Overview

* Assignment Module

* Chat Module

* Choice Module

* Forum Module

* Glossary Module

* Lesson Module

* Quiz Module

* Resource Module

* Survey Module

* Wiki Module

* Workshop Module

For more on Moodle: http://moodle.org/

There two tools can be used to assist in your situation and they be twicked to sing the tune you want them to sing. This way you then Mr Goodluck Msangi can be used for customization not development from scratch. I think this will be faster.

By posting on tzlug(Tanzania Linux Users Group - http://www.linuxgroup.co.tz) you may win some more volunteers to assist Mr Msangi, starting with me.

Feruzi EK

 
     

Goodluck Msangi  : Thursday, March 19, 2009    
  my contacts are

email: gmsangi@gmail.com

phone: 0713 395395

 
     

Goodluck Msangi  : Thursday, March 19, 2009    
  Ok all of the things contributed here are known by heart with most of us, I dare to say this is too much politics without actions.this politics will not help anybody,To start I'm ready to volunteer to develop Distributed Primary school students information system for the Ministry if somebody or Organisation or any Agency can fund that.I have the necessary skills and ability to do that.

G.Msangi

 
     

Fredrick Mashingia  : Monday, March 16, 2009    
 

We have to do something:

1.We should have a common goal which is to see ICT progress transformed into benefits for Tanzanian’s citizens (whose majority live in rural areas), businesses, industries and government.

2.We should have a common understanding of the subject matter. ICT refers to forms of technology that are used to transmit, store, create, display, share or exchange information by electronic means. This broad definition of ICT includes such technologies as radio, television, video, DVD, telephone (both fixed line and mobile phones), satellite systems, computer and network hardware and software; as well as the equipment and services associated with these technologies, such as videoconferencing, e-mail and blogs.

3.ICTs have a catalytic impact in three key areas: productivity and innovation (by facilitating creativity and management), modernisation of public services (such as health, education and transport) and advances in science and technology (by supporting cooperation and access to information.

4.We need to understand MDGs, Vision 2025, National ICT policy, and role of ICT to bring about sustainable development.

5.Then we should ask ourselves what have we done so far to our country (as individuals)? Remember a person is only educated if he can use his knowledge to help himself and the society around him.

6.If you have read up to this point then I consider you as a potential person to bring about change in our country. Then together we can do something for our country.

7.We need to see possibilities. Tanzanian researchers, scientists, engineers and policy makers should be linked together. I know lots of efforts have been done on ICT development in our colleges/universities but these efforts needs to be upscaled to national level and coordinated to the society.

8.We can design/establish a framework /team that monitors and keep track of any ICT research and development in the country. There can be a ‘pool’ of ICT proposals/projects to address Tanzanian’s socio-economic challenges. And there will be ‘think tanks’ to explore priorities and opportunities. We don’t have to worry about money because I can help! For an example, there are good number of unemployed graduate computer engineers from UDSM, JCET, DIT..etc ..If we take only few and tell our government only to import computer parts because we have people to do the assembling, can you image the contribution to national economy?...can you imagine the number of jobs we will create?..then we can sell computers at a relatively lower price which means more poor people will have access to computers..Should the government be not willing to support?..

9.There are great potential in ICT investment in Tanzania,..why should google and Microsoft go to China for investiment?..We have plenty of cheap labour too..If we can formulate ICT policy in our education systems especial in lower classes then we should have more experts in the field...then world’s top ICT companies will be delighted to take advantage of our cheap labour and so on...

10.Join me for ICT change in Tanzania. If you want to go fast you can go yourself! But if you want to go FAR we can go TOGETHER.

Eng. F.A.J. Mashingia

(Email: fmashingia@yahoo.com)

 
     

Dr H.Bohela Lunogelo  : Friday, February 27, 2009    
  Dear Contributors, Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys (I just picked this recently in recognition of the power of our younger population who are the potential users of the next generation of ICT packages!),

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Management of ESRF, let me expressed my appreciation for the time you take to make these useful contributions (and also time read the views of contributors). Initially the ICT dialogue looked like lagging behind that on FDI and GDP Growth but I am now encouraged that it is also picking up. My request to all of you is to inform your friends on this new facility and take time to either contrbute views or if time dont allow, simply read the views and email to others. I know Abdallah Hassan has plans to market this facility but I still believe the onus is on all of us as stakeholders joining hands to rollout the use ICT and brigding the digital divide between classes of our people: rural and urban; the young and the old; etc. The latest contribution by Nils, echoing similar views before, on the possible use of the Rural Energy Fund and investments on renewable sources of energy, needs further analysis and synthesis in terms of strategies and fundable action plans.

I wish all the best.

Kind regards.

Dr H.Bohela Lunogelo, ED-ESRF

 
     

Nils Jensen  : Wednesday, February 25, 2009    
  ICT facilities can use solar and wind energy, for instance. And as ICT information can be transmitted via radio signals using, for instance, mobile phone networks, Wi-Fi, WiMax and Satellite communications, the possibility to reach even very remote areas of Tanzania is quite feasible.

Power networks, on the other hand, require heavy investments in cabling, transformers, etc. On top of that the implementation requires a careful planning and preparation, which makes the whole process very slow. The Rural Energy Fund will contribute to the electrification of rural areas, but it will take many years before even 50% of the population could be connected to a power network.

It would be a pity if the rural population should wait for power networks before they could use ICT facilities. Let the sun and the wind do the job.

Among others, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Juasun in Musoma is using solar panels to run ICT services in rural areas; and a few teacher colleges, which are not on the power grid, are doing the same.

 
     

Peter Nyanje  : Wednesday, February 25, 2009    
  But as important as it is, I think we first need to think of electrifying the rural areas if we ICT is to have impact on the rural dwellers  
     

jason nkyabonaki  : Wednesday, February 25, 2009    
  The role of information to rural sector is of high importance particulary in the efforts to stimulate grassroot self initiatives and as well to promote good economic governance as well as political governance. Information is power and without the modern ICT's penetration to rural areas the development pace will be slow and high costful as it has been in the past and it is still is in most rural areas.

However, a critical question is: Is ICT a means to an end or a destination?For our poor peasants to make a mile forwrd interms of economic developmentstrategic investment in key employing sector like agriculture have to be developed firts and then the communication industry open up the avenues for marketing and distribution of their products.

Forinstance, if the use of in ternet in a village is for people to read emails from firnds I think this is enhacing social ties but economically it might not be feasible.

The multisectoral approach is to be adopted as a way of promoting rural development and leave the segmentization of one sectorusing a piecemeal approach. Undeniably, the rural sector will benefit much if the ICT penetrates too its core but the reservation is that for the individual persons in most rural areas the agricultural extension services have to be enhanced in order to make the ICT pro-poor.

Nkyabonaki Jason

 
     

Jacob JACONIAH  : Thursday, February 19, 2009    
  In the laymen’s power of analysis, many Tanzanians have endlessly sought to equate the computer capacity with a brain of human being, notwithstanding the reality that without a human being developing computer programs and software and eventually dictating a result to be obtained; such a computer could be useless. The same analogy can be extended to the field of information communication technology, at the centre of which lies information. In order a particular society to benefit from information; such information must be capable of being transformed into knowledge. Any inquisitive mind would ask whether a difference between knowledge and information can be drawn. Much as the difference between the two is very fine, qualitative distinction could meet this curiosity. While I consider information to be a sub-category of knowledge, a static knowledge; knowledge, in a purposive sense of the word as I apply it here, is dynamic information in action, information understood and put to use. With this distinction in mind, my analysis goes beyond the mere structures of communication technology such as mobiles or computers. I am concerned with the regulatory framework regarding the relationship between business-to-business (B2B) on one hand and business-to-consumer (B2C) on the other. However, a point of caution must be raised as I proceed with the analysis: rural people, or rather consumers, whom we assume to be information recipients, may turn out to be information donors. However, a large part of the information from consumers is static and need to be developed so that it can be used for the wide variety of services provided, for instance, online (so-called “information society services”) ranging from online newspapers, and specialised news services (such as business or financial information), online selling of various products (books, computer hardware and software, pharmaceuticals, etc.) to the online provision of financial services (online banking, online investment). The industry (information society) should be able to compensate the consumer for the tacit information he provides. Much can be said as to how, through information communication technology, this information has been used, in the sense of personality merchandising, without any compensation to the poor people who is central to the donation of concerned information.

While information from consumers must be valued by the industry by appropriately compensating a donor, it is my considered observation that having information technology in place without qualitative information the nation cannot achieve the envisaged economic advancement. We must provide some incentives to people who can develop information from tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge. For instance, a person who authors a book or an article and post it on the internet must be guaranteed that people who access the book will reward him for his labour. Similarly, a singer, an artist or a performer should be guaranteed that access to, and reproduction of, his work will attract some sort of compensation for his labour.

Admittedly, in the block and mortar world, such incentives are already in place. They take a form of copyright and neighbouring rights, trade and service marks law, etc. However, the online world provides a challenge to existing legal tools. Some of them are not adaptive to the ICT world. For instance, within the ambit of the Trade and Service Marks Act, use of a trademark online would not be considered a trademark infringement; for, in the eyes of the law, it does not constitute a trademark use. According to the Act, only a physical reproduction of a trademark on a particular product meets the use requirement (and not any surrogate representation).

ICT is a powerful tool for consumers to obtain information and compare offers in an efficient and user-friendly way, i.e. to make pre-sale searches enabling consumers to rapidly obtain information concerning the range and characteristics of products and services available. However, there is no legal regime that would protect substantial investment in collecting, updating and verifying information against unauthorised systematic re-utilisation of the database contents posted online. I understand that Article 10(2) of the TRIPs Agreement already protects structures of the databases, contingent upon a proof of originality of the structures of a respective database. Being a signatory to the charter establishing WTO, Tanzania is bound to comply with this provision of the TRIPs Agreement. However, Article 10 of the TRIPs does not provide for any legal protection to the contents of the databases. Legislative authorities in Tanzania should go an extra-mile by providing legal protection to those databases in respect of whose contents substantial investment can be demonstrated.

Unless the interests between B2B and B2C are balanced by enacting appropriate law ICT will not meet its goal of enhancing living standards of the rural poor people in Tanzania. In fact various areas of law that need to be updated and tailored to the new online world can be identified. It suffices to point out that a light and flexible legal framework drafted in a technologically neutral way to avoid the need to adapt the legal framework constantly to new developments, is highly needed to promote quality information communicated through ICT and curb possible abuses that can be carried out through the internet in Tanzania.

JACOB

 
     

Masejo Nyabigeso Songo  : Tuesday, February 17, 2009    
  1.0 Introduction

The importance of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) services to national socio-economic development do not need to be overemphasized. ICTs impacts cut across all sectors of the entire economy. ICTs services therefore, improve information exchange among the people, fight poverty and thus enhance economic growth, factors which are in line with the goals and objectives outlined in the National Development Vision 2025 and other sectoral development policies.

Despite of the existing challenges in the field of ICTs still under proper management and strategic approach ICTs are vital as tools for poverty reduction. Evidences show that; ICTs support proper market development by enhancing access information about pricing of goods and services, weather condition and market opportunities; ICTs improve access to microfinance; ICTs lead to improving rural infrastructures for poor; ICTs are also used in natural disasters management like to monitor food security related issues and to inform government on impending food scarcities; and improving rural infrastructure for poor. ICTs also play a notable role in E-Government, E-Commerce and in the field of education and training.

2.0 The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in enhancing Livelihoods of rural poor in Tanzania

2.1 ICT supporting pro-poor market development

Since small farmers in rural areas lack access to information about prices, data on crops, weather conditions, credit facilities, and market opportunities, therefore, ICT can remedy such information asymmetries and stimulate poor people’s entrepreneurship by better connecting them to markets Cecchin, et al (2003). Gerster and Zimmermann (2003) argued that, “poor people need among other things affordable access to information that is vital to their livelihoods”. The use of ICT applications can enhance poor people’s opportunities by improving their access to markets, health, and education. ICT can empower the poor by expanding the use of government services, and reduce risks by widening access to microfinance. Rural households can earn higher incomes from the production of agricultural goods for non-local markets, and ICTs can play a role, along with trade liberalization and improved transport infrastructure, in opening up new markets. Higher incomes will in turn increase demand for consumer goods. This leads to the creation of non-farm jobs and employment diversification, especially in small

2.2 ICTs improving access to microfinance

Microfinance is an important tool for poor people to reduce, mitigate and cope with risk. Computerization, electronic bank system, and software systems providing loan tracking, financial projections and branch management information can reduce costs and help microfinance institutions reach clients more efficiently.

Cecchin, et al (2003).

2.3 ICTs in management of natural disaster

ICTs can also play a major role in relation to the natural disasters that are common in low-income countries. For example, between June and December 1996, a total of 1,689 people died in Andhra Pradesh (AP) in India, in heavy rains, floods, and cyclones. The total economic loss caused by the 1996 disasters in AP was estimated at US$2 billion. The following year, a World Bank backed project was implemented, designed to help set up a hazard management program in high- risk areas and improve warning capacity. Both elements invoked a significant ICT component—especially in cyclone warning, communication and response, awareness raising, education and community involvement in hazard reduction activities. (World Bank, 2001). ICT can also play a major role in helping to monitor food security related issues (weather, droughts, crop failures, pests etc.), and to inform government on impending food scarcities and famines. According to Amartya Sen (1981) and Jean Dréze (1999) information plays a key role in preventing food scarcities from turning into famines.

2.4 ICT supported by poverty reduction policies

It is argued by Gerster and Zimmermann (2003) that the ICT, if supported with the right policies and with cross-cutting and holistic approaches, will complement and strengthen other multisectoral efforts that are required for poverty reduction, including those meeting basic needs. Experts concur that ICT can contribute to poverty reduction if it is specifically tailored to the needs of the poor. It can also boost economic growth but is unlikely to alleviate poverty in countries where there are persistent socio-economic inequalities

2.5 ICT in improving rural infrastructure for poor

Although investment in rural infrastructure (roads, electricity, and telecommunications) has an impact on reducing poverty (mainly due to improved opportunities for non-farm employment, and increased rural wages), it has been shown that investment in education, agricultural research and rural livelihoods development can achieve more impact. ICTs have a role to pla

 
     

Masejo Nyabigeso Songo  : Tuesday, February 17, 2009    
  1.0 Introduction

The importance of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) services to national socio-economic development do not need to be overemphasized. ICTs impacts cut across all sectors of the entire economy. ICTs services therefore, improve information exchange among the people, fight poverty and thus enhance economic growth, factors which are in line with the goals and objectives outlined in the National Development Vision 2025 and other sectoral development policies.

Despite of the existing challenges in the field of ICTs still under proper management and strategic approach ICTs are vital as tools for poverty reduction. Evidences show that; ICTs support proper market development by enhancing access information about pricing of goods and services, weather condition and market opportunities; ICTs improve access to microfinance; ICTs lead to improving rural infrastructures for poor; ICTs are also used in natural disasters management like to monitor food security related issues and to inform government on impending food scarcities; and improving rural infrastructure for poor. ICTs also play a notable role in E-Government, E-Commerce and in the field of education and training.

2.0 The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in enhancing Livelihoods of rural poor in Tanzania

2.1 ICT supporting pro-poor market development

Since small farmers in rural areas lack access to information about prices, data on crops, weather conditions, credit facilities, and market opportunities, therefore, ICT can remedy such information asymmetries and stimulate poor people’s entrepreneurship by better connecting them to markets Cecchin, et al (2003). Gerster and Zimmermann (2003) argued that, “poor people need among other things affordable access to information that is vital to their livelihoods”. The use of ICT applications can enhance poor people’s opportunities by improving their access to markets, health, and education. ICT can empower the poor by expanding the use of government services, and reduce risks by widening access to microfinance. Rural households can earn higher incomes from the production of agricultural goods for non-local markets, and ICTs can play a role, along with trade liberalization and improved transport infrastructure, in opening up new markets. Higher incomes will in turn increase demand for consumer goods. This leads to the creation of non-farm jobs and employment diversification, especially in small

2.2 ICTs improving access to microfinance

Microfinance is an important tool for poor people to reduce, mitigate and cope with risk. Computerization, electronic bank system, and software systems providing loan tracking, financial projections and branch management information can reduce costs and help microfinance institutions reach clients more efficiently.

Cecchin, et al (2003).

2.3 ICTs in management of natural disaster

ICTs can also play a major role in relation to the natural disasters that are common in low-income countries. For example, between June and December 1996, a total of 1,689 people died in Andhra Pradesh (AP) in India, in heavy rains, floods, and cyclones. The total economic loss caused by the 1996 disasters in AP was estimated at US$2 billion. The following year, a World Bank backed project was implemented, designed to help set up a hazard management program in high- risk areas and improve warning capacity. Both elements invoked a significant ICT component—especially in cyclone warning, communication and response, awareness raising, education and community involvement in hazard reduction activities. (World Bank, 2001). ICT can also play a major role in helping to monitor food security related issues (weather, droughts, crop failures, pests etc.), and to inform government on impending food scarcities and famines. According to Amartya Sen (1981) and Jean Dréze (1999) information plays a key role in preventing food scarcities from turning into famines.

2.4 ICT supported by poverty reduction policies

It is argued by Gerster and Zimmermann (2003) that the ICT, if supported with the right policies and with cross-cutting and holistic approaches, will complement and strengthen other multisectoral efforts that are required for poverty reduction, including those meeting basic needs. Experts concur that ICT can contribute to poverty reduction if it is specifically tailored to the needs of the poor. It can also boost economic growth but is unlikely to alleviate poverty in countries where there are persistent socio-economic inequalities

2.5 ICT in improving rural infrastructure for poor

Although investment in rural infrastructure (roads, electricity, and telecommunications) has an impact on reducing poverty (mainly due to improved opportunities for non-farm employment, and increased rural wages), it has been shown that investment in education, agricultural research and rural livelihoods development can achieve more impact. ICTs have a role to pla

 
     

Masejo Nyabigeso Songo  : Tuesday, February 17, 2009    
  1.0 Introduction

The importance of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) services to national socio-economic development do not need to be overemphasized. ICTs impacts cut across all sectors of the entire economy. ICTs services therefore, improve information exchange among the people, fight poverty and thus enhance economic growth, factors which are in line with the goals and objectives outlined in the National Development Vision 2025 and other sectoral development policies.

Despite of the existing challenges in the field of ICTs still under proper management and strategic approach ICTs are vital as tools for poverty reduction. Evidences show that; ICTs support proper market development by enhancing access information about pricing of goods and services, weather condition and market opportunities; ICTs improve access to microfinance; ICTs lead to improving rural infrastructures for poor; ICTs are also used in natural disasters management like to monitor food security related issues and to inform government on impending food scarcities; and improving rural infrastructure for poor. ICTs also play a notable role in E-Government, E-Commerce and in the field of education and training.

2.0 The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in enhancing Livelihoods of rural poor in Tanzania

2.1 ICT supporting pro-poor market development

Since small farmers in rural areas lack access to information about prices, data on crops, weather conditions, credit facilities, and market opportunities, therefore, ICT can remedy such information asymmetries and stimulate poor people’s entrepreneurship by better connecting them to markets Cecchin, et al (2003). Gerster and Zimmermann (2003) argued that, “poor people need among other things affordable access to information that is vital to their livelihoods”. The use of ICT applications can enhance poor people’s opportunities by improving their access to markets, health, and education. ICT can empower the poor by expanding the use of government services, and reduce risks by widening access to microfinance. Rural households can earn higher incomes from the production of agricultural goods for non-local markets, and ICTs can play a role, along with trade liberalization and improved transport infrastructure, in opening up new markets. Higher incomes will in turn increase demand for consumer goods. This leads to the creation of non-farm jobs and employment diversification, especially in small

2.2 ICTs improving access to microfinance

Microfinance is an important tool for poor people to reduce, mitigate and cope with risk. Computerization, electronic bank system, and software systems providing loan tracking, financial projections and branch management information can reduce costs and help microfinance institutions reach clients more efficiently.

Cecchin, et al (2003).

2.3 ICTs in management of natural disaster

ICTs can also play a major role in relation to the natural disasters that are common in low-income countries. For example, between June and December 1996, a total of 1,689 people died in Andhra Pradesh (AP) in India, in heavy rains, floods, and cyclones. The total economic loss caused by the 1996 disasters in AP was estimated at US$2 billion. The following year, a World Bank backed project was implemented, designed to help set up a hazard management program in high- risk areas and improve warning capacity. Both elements invoked a significant ICT component—especially in cyclone warning, communication and response, awareness raising, education and community involvement in hazard reduction activities. (World Bank, 2001). ICT can also play a major role in helping to monitor food security related issues (weather, droughts, crop failures, pests etc.), and to inform government on impending food scarcities and famines. According to Amartya Sen (1981) and Jean Dréze (1999) information plays a key role in preventing food scarcities from turning into famines.

2.4 ICT supported by poverty reduction policies

It is argued by Gerster and Zimmermann (2003) that the ICT, if supported with the right policies and with cross-cutting and holistic approaches, will complement and strengthen other multisectoral efforts that are required for poverty reduction, including those meeting basic needs. Experts concur that ICT can contribute to poverty reduction if it is specifically tailored to the needs of the poor. It can also boost economic growth but is unlikely to alleviate poverty in countries where there are persistent socio-economic inequalities

2.5 ICT in improving rural infrastructure for poor

Although investment in rural infrastructure (roads, electricity, and telecommunications) has an impact on reducing poverty (mainly due to improved opportunities for non-farm employment, and increased rural wages), it has been shown that investment in education, agricultural research and rural livelihoods development can achieve more impact. ICTs have a role to pla

 
     

Al-Amin Yusuph  : Wednesday, February 11, 2009    
  rural community. All these investments can be used by the rural community for the next six years.

Focus on PCs as opposed to cell phones: The number of cell phones conencted in tanzania is more than 10M, which is approximately 25% of the population of Tanzania, whereas the number of PCs connected to the web is less than 1 million, I think. Surprisingly, with GPRS, 3G, CDMA and 3.5 G and other wireless mobile phone technologies, all active subscribers are automatically connnected to the internet (if they have the know how...of course...). So in other words we have more than 10million tanzanians connected to the internet. What have we done to tap that potential? do we have appropriate content - for instance there is not a single newspaper in tanzania that is published in wireless application protocol (WAP), bu we have many newspapers designed to be accessed by PCs. Yes, the connection costs are too high, but they will ultimately come down with more usage ( economies of scale). have we tried to support those in the rural areas to harness mobile phone technology to the fullest?

Let me stop here for today. Lets hear more ideas, and or reactions to my observations. Greetings to everybody on this knowledge sharing platform. My name is Al-Amin Yusuph.

 
     

Al-Amin Yusuph  : Wednesday, February 11, 2009    
  This can be possible through a multifaceted approach:

Do the policies support the adoption of ICTs for rural development? We have to remember that most of our policies were drafted years ago, whereas the ICT sector, driven by developments in the chip and storage industry doubles its growth every two years. Our policies are therefore years behind the ICT developments.

Also our policies ought to be very focused in empowering the rural society, who are the majority of Tanzanians. Just one example; one of the broadcasting policies is very clear on the % of local content, but does not go further to specify the % content originating from the rural areas. What is the ratio of rural multimedia libraries versus those in the urban areas? what is the ratio of rural community media versus other mainstream media? Are there any deliberate efforts to offset any differences?

Also we should remember that even though many policies are developed after indepth consultations, but at the end of the day the peoplke who actually hold the pens and papers to draft policies are most of the time those who are shaped by the urban mind, so they see things from the urban perspective, i think think, from my personal perspective, this should change. How this should change, i do not have the answers at the moment, but we need a careful examination on our processes to engage those living in the rural areas from consultations stages to the actual drafting of policies - from consultations to pen and paper.

Deliberate focus to rural utilisation of ICT solutions: There ought ot be deliberate efforts that will apply pressure to investors to invest in the rural areas. For instance if I start my telecommunications company, definitely the first 100 cell sites will be based in Dar es Salaam, and maybe Mwanza, Arusha, Dodoma, Mbeya, Zanzibar, Geita, Kahama etc. The same "big names", why cant' I be told to invest even a small % (say 3%) in rural areas of my choice as part of Corporate Social responsibility? To make it better, there could even be a list of areas that need attention by different sectors generated by the nation, depending on their social economic indicators. Some telcos are already doing this, but this is from their own initiatives. i remember last year I went to a certain rural area, and noticed that certain telco was offering up to 50% rebate on phone calls there.

Then there is the issue of appropriate technology. Not all technology is appropriate to each environment. Whereas some of us who are on this forum can be good users of the web, those living in the rural areas can be very receptive to say Radio, or television. Its time now we start asking ourselves questions on whether we really get our return on investment by for instance printing $20,000 worth of glossy leaflets to raise awareness of x subject, which will wrap mandazis the next day after being read, or whether it is worthy to invest the money in a low power transmitter FM radiofor one rural commun

 
     

Festo E. Maro  : Tuesday, February 10, 2009    
  Improvement of ICT to the rural people needs a strategic approach and careful prioritization. I know in some parts of rural areas owning a mobile phone has become a norm. Proper application of such devices is lacking among many users even in urban areas. Despite its advantages i.e. instant communications, commodities market price exchanges and many other deals, proper budgeting for airtime usage is a problem. Application of various customer packages aiming at cost reduction is ignored. I wonder if voucher charges are factored in on commodities prices or any services. No wonder some mobile owners can starve at the expense of airtime and others have huge number of airtime dependants (there are permanent and occasional). Or some are in debt for purchasing expensive phones which are under utilized (few functions are used). If is to improve the livelihood through ICT, there is need to examine its costs and benefits in holistic manner.  
     

Jackob Joshua Kwlibya  : Friday, February 6, 2009    
  Thanks very much brother Hassan for this opportunity to allow me to give out my comments about the topic given.

I would like to introduce myself my name is Jackob J. Kwilabya.

Back to our descussion , the information communication technology ( ICT) is very important in our daily activities so as to improve our daily life.

To the people of rural areas (poor) we need to provide the following things such as

Education about the Information communication and technology in the villages through different ways like advertising through local medias, Public meetings and brochures’.

By educating these people on how to use the information communication and technology in their daily activities so as it help them to know how to do business or way to improve their production activities such as farming, livestock keeping and how to find market for their production.

The other thing is to introduce the usage of information communication and technology in their areas such as computers through internets café, mobile phone and local radios in order to get information about marketing, good ways of planting their crops, storing their crops and parking of these production. So by doing these can help them to improve their livelihoods in the rural areas and increases the income of those families and country too.

Thanks for the opportunity.

 
     

Abdallah Hassan  : Monday, February 2, 2009    
  I am taking this opportunity to invite you all to this debate on the role of ICTs in livelihood of the rural poor. It is said that if ICTs appropriately adopted help to improve the livelihoods of the poor and increase income opportunities. On you opinion what should be done to enable the rural poor harness fully the opportunities that come with the development of ICTs? To join this discussion please register to be able to get user name and password  
     

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