The document discusses the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for rural development. It highlights how mobile telephony is being used in many Asian countries to provide farmers with information through SMS and multimedia messages from public, private, and non-governmental organization initiatives. Mobile telephony can effectively reduce distances and make sharing information and knowledge easier. It also strengthens social networks and empowers individuals. Public-private partnerships are found to complement each other at the community level by providing information and advisory services that address the needs of farmers and rural communities.

1. www.e-agriculture.org
The e-Agriculture Community:The e-Agriculture Community:
Sharing Innovative ExperiencesSharing Innovative Experiences
and Knowledge Aboutand Knowledge About
the Use of ICTthe Use of ICT
for Rural Developmentfor Rural Development
KEY TOPICS

2. Important, timely issued identified by
the community
KEY TOPICS

3. “Today, mobile telephony is being used to provide
information to the farmers ... through SMS and multimedia-
supported systems in many Asian countries. This has been
made possible through public, private as well as NGO
sector initiatives.”
Sapna A. Narula, Asst. Professor,
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, India
Mobile Telephony
in rural development
KEY TOPICS

4. Mobile telephony
effectively reduces the
distance between
individuals and
institutions, making the
sharing of information
and knowledge easier
and more effective.
KEY TOPICS
Mobile Telephony

5. Social networks can be
strengthened and
individuals empowered
through use of their
handset.
Mobile Telephony

6. KEY TOPICS
Public Private Partnerships

7. Generally found at the
community level
where the strengths of
the public and private
sectors complement
each other in
providing information
and advisory services
that address the
needs of farmers and
rural communities.
KEY TOPICS
Public Private Partnerships

8. The public sector’s
mandate for provision
of information and
services can be best
achieved through
harnessing the
potential of the private
sector to add local
context in a
commercial
environment.
KEY TOPICS
Public Private Partnerships