May 2006

This evaluation document shares data and graphs indicating how rural people in two remote villages of Bangladesh are using information and communication technologies (ICTs) for solving their day-to-day livelihood problems. It emerges from a project of Development through Access to Network Resources (D.Net), which led to the launch of 2 Pallitathya Kendra (rural information centres).

This initiative was motivated by the observation that lack of access to livelihood information is a critical source of disempowerment of the rural economically poor. In the current poverty alleviation paradigm, D.Net claims, access to resources has been emphasised; however, access to information as an important tool for poverty alleviation is not typically considered a valuable economic resource for those who are disadvantaged and/or living in poverty. It should be, according to D.Net. Undertaken by D.Net with the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), this action research project attempted to fill a perceived vacuum by seeking strategies for mainstreaming ICTs in improving access to information for poverty reduction in the Bangladesh context.

Operating since October 2005 in Noakhali and Netrokona districts, these centres are - according to this evaluation - enabling people to receive livelihood information services depending on their queries; different ancillary services (e.g., photography and commercial phone use) also offered there. With regard to the former, the livelihood information is delivered through 3 different channels from the Pallitathya Kendra: CD-based content, a mobile-phone-based helpline, and a video documentary.

Selected highlights from the report include:

• The Pallitathya Kendra at Noakhali and Netrokona operated for 151 and 154 working days respectively within the working months of October 2005 to March 2006. A total of 1,116 villagers at Noakhali and 973 villagers at Netrokona used the Pallitathya Kendra to collect their livelihood queries and different services.
• In Noakhali, 85.75% of users were male whereas only 14.25% were female. On the other hand, in Netrokona, female users dominated, with a total of 54.47% of users.
• Noakhali Pallitathya Kendra earned a total of BDT 15,164, out of which 9.45% came from information services and 90.55% from the ancillary services. Netrokona Pallitathya Kendra earned a total BDT 13,338 where 18.47% came from information services and 81.53% from the ancillary services during the operation time.

To request a copy of the full document, please see contact details, below. To read more about the initiative and the individual centres, visit the Pallitathya website.