Digital Technologies for Agricultural and Rural Development in the Global South

There are many initiatives using mobiles, tablets and other devices that have promise to help farmers and improve livelihoods in the developing world. However, the evidence of their effectiveness so far is limited. This book gives practical examples of initiatives and explores theory and data regarding optimising effectiveness.

This book shares research and practice on current trends in digital technology for agricultural and rural development in the Global South. Growth of research in this field has been slower than the pace of change for practitioners, particularly in bringing socio-technical views of information technology and agricultural development perspectives together. The contents are therefore structured around three main themes: sharing information and knowledge for agricultural development, information and knowledge intermediaries, and facilitating change in agricultural systems and settings. The book includes:-Views from diverse academic disciplines as well as practitioners with experience of implementing mobile applications and agriculture information systems in differing country contexts.-Case studies from a range of developing countries and information from across the public and private sector.-A set of practitioner guidelines for successful implementation of digital technologies.With contributions reaching beyond just a technological perspective, the book also provides a consideration of social and cultural factors and new forms of organization and institutional change in agricultural and rural settings. An invaluable read for researchers in international development, socio-economics and agriculture, it forms a useful resource for practitioners working in the area.