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Mobile Phones for Agricultural and Rural Development: A Literature Review and Suggestions for Future Research

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Abstract

This article provides a systematic review of the potential and limitations of mobile phones in the delivery of rural services for agricultural and rural development in developing countries. The review indicates a rapid expansion of research in recent years, and a growing number of primary research studies that have developed rigorous methodologies for data collection and analysis, with welcome contribution from developing country institutions and researchers. Gaps in the literature suggest areas where future research priorities may lie. These include the provision of agricultural data sources that can provide the basis for effective planning and policymaking, and the assessment of information and service needs that take into account gender differences and the potential for user involvement in the design of service provision. Research is also needed to assess the potential for financial market integration, sustainable business models, consideration of indicators of sector performance and productivity, and assessment of broader impacts at the community and societal level.

Abstract

Cet article apporte une revue systématique sur le potentiel et des limites des téléphones portables dans la prestation de services ruraux pour le développement agricole et rural dans les pays en développement. La revue indique qu’il y a eu une expansion rapide de la recherche ces dernières années, ainsi qu’un nombre croissant de recherches primaires qui ont développé une méthodologie rigoureuse pour la collection et l’analyse des données, avec la contribution d’institutions et de chercheurs de pays en développement. Les lacunes du corps de recherche suggèrent les domaines dans lesquels de futures recherches pourraient être priorisées. Ces domaines incluent des sujets tels que: l’obtention de sources de données agricoles permettant une plannification et des politiques efficaces; l’évaluation des besoins en information et en services qui prend en compte les différences liées au genre ainsi que le potentiel de l’implication du client dans le design de la prestation de service; le potentiel de l’intégration des marchés financiers; des modèles d’affaires durables; la considération d’indicateurs de performance et de productivité du secteur et l’évaluation qualitative des impacts généraux au niveau sociétal.

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    Richard Duncombe

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Duncombe, R. Mobile Phones for Agricultural and Rural Development: A Literature Review and Suggestions for Future Research. Eur J Dev Res 28, 213–235 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1057/ejdr.2014.60

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