INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AS A TOOL FOR RURAL POVERTY REDUCTION
1*Chikaire, J., 2 Adejoh, S.O., 3 Osuagwu C.O.and 4Jamilu, A.A
1Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri
2Demonstration Secondary School, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
3Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency, Lokoja
4Department of Agricultural Management and Extension Technology, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo
ABSTRACT
Information is not a magic cure for hunger or poverty. However, the information at the right time can help in funding a solution. ICT includes or whole range of technologies that facilitate communication and the processing and transmission of information by electronic means from conventional radio and landline to computers, internet and mobile phones. There is much emphasis now in the development community of government, donors and NGOs to push for the widespread rollout of community access to ICTs as a tool for direct poverty relief. ICT will be an invaluable tool for those striving to meet the Millennium Development Goals of eradication poverty, equality and empowerment, education, training, jobs, political participation and the rest. Without the application of ICT, there will be no adequate measurement or tracking of progress on all the MDGs. It is only through modern survey and statistical techniques, heavily dependent on the advances of ICT, that one will be able to track employment, income, and other statistics relevant for growth and economic development. It is only by the application of ICT that there can be hope of adequate unraveling of the complex causal patterns of discrimination and inequalities. This paper argues that ICT used in the right way and purposes will enhance economic growth and poverty alleviation. It provides priority areas of attention, keys to successful ICTS for poverty derivation, and also suggests the way forward
Key words: ICT, poverty, growth, education, development