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The Importance of ICTs in the Provision of Information for Improving Agricultural Productivity and Rural Incomes in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere

    (International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Addis Ababa)

  • Daniel Ayalew Mekonnen

    (International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Addis Ababa)

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) developments have taken place in Africa with the significant growth over the past decade. This paper looks at the evidence on the role of emerging ICTs in the agricultural sector in Africa with lessons from Asia with respect to farmersí access to information and other services that would help improve agricultural productivity, practices, and farmer livelihoods. It suggests that countries should avoid monopoly situations and encourage pluralistic providers to induce competition for higher efficiency and lower costs to consumers.

Suggested Citation

  • Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere & Daniel Ayalew Mekonnen, "undated". "The Importance of ICTs in the Provision of Information for Improving Agricultural Productivity and Rural Incomes in Africa," UNDP Africa Policy Notes 2012-015, United Nations Development Programme, Regional Bureau for Africa.
    • Handle: RePEc:rac:wpaper:2012-015
    as

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    File URL: http://web.undp.org/africa/knowledge/WP-2012-015-okyere-mekonnen-ict-productivity.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. AfDB AfDB, . "Improving Statistics for Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development: An Action Plan for Africa - Bulletin N°2," Global Strategy Implementation Bulletin, African Development Bank, number 369.
    2. Jenny C. Aker & Isaac M. Mbiti, 2010. "Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 24(3), pages 207-232, Summer.
    3. Muto, Megumi & Yamano, Takashi, 2009. "The Impact of Mobile Phone Coverage Expansion on Market Participation: Panel Data Evidence from Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 37(12), pages 1887-1896, December.
    4. Odame, Helen Hambly & Hafkin, Nancy & Wesseler, Gesa & Boto, Isolina, 2002. "Gender and Agriculture in the Information Society," ISNAR Archive 310742, CGIAR > International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    5. Robert Jensen, 2007. "The Digital Provide: Information (Technology), Market Performance, and Welfare in the South Indian Fisheries Sector," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 122(3), pages 879-924.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kote DHONAT, 2017. "Raising Farm Efficiency through the Use of ICT," Economics and Applied Informatics, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 2, pages 45-50.
    2. Houssou, Nazaire & Asante-Addo, Collins & Chapoto, Antony, 2016. "Farm transition and indigenous growth: The rise to medium- and large-scale farming in Ghana," IFPRI discussion papers 1499, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services

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