Policy researcher at the Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD)

2004

This is a study conducted to identify community-based ICT needs in the Karagwe district. The study conducted by the Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD) consists of a survey of four groups of ten respondents each, including community members, representatives of the private sector and civil society organisations (CSOs), and government officials at both district and local levels.

The study confirmed that the Karagwe district has a rather limited ICT infrastructure. According to the respondents, the most accessible ICT services were the telephone (26%), newsletters (20%), the Internet (20%) and radio (13%). When asked specifically about ICTs used in agriculture or for rural development, most respondents said they were unaware of any.

The study found that most CSOs working in rural development are unable to provide ICT services to community members because they do not have the funds to do so. However, the study also found that the private sector is willing to collaborate with CSOs and community members to establish agricultural market information centres.

The study concludes that something needs to be done to enable rural communities in Karagwe district to use ICTs in their day-to-day agricultural activities, and to communicate with the rest of the world. The study recommends that Internet connectivity should be provided, preferably through wireless systems in order to reach rural communities that are not connected to the national power grid or telephone network.