000			03267nam a2200301 a 4500
020			_a0-8213-2868-9
082			_a338.10285 Z 48027
090			_c17421 _d17421
100			_aZijp, Willem
245			_aImproving the transfer and use of agricultural information : a guide to information technology
260			_bWorld Bank
260			_aWashington, D.C.
260			_c1994
300			_aviii, 105 p. _bil.
490			_aWorld Bank discussion papers _vno. 247 _x0259-210X
504			_aIncluye bibliografía
505			_aForeword -- Abstract -- Acknowledgment -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Why is information technology important for rural development? -- 3. What are the limitations of information technology? -- 4. Why is information technology important to World Bank rural development priorities? -- 5. How can information technology be used for rural development? -- 6. What is required to get the benefits of information technology? -- 7. Next steps -- Annexes -- Bibliography
520			_aInformation is crucial in agricultural production, in addition to land, labor and capital. However, investment in Information Technology (IT) has been mainly in urban areas of industrial countries, despite the potential for cost-effective applications of IT in rural areas in developing countries. Recent developments in IT, that make it particularly relevant for rural development include: reduced costs, increased storage, ease of use, speed, new links between different media, and " info-tainment " . The paper also describes limitations to the application of IT, like the need for complementary inputs, organizational change, improved information management, skills development, human involvement, policy changes, social barriers, and the experimental nature of many technologies. Some pitfalls to be avoided are described. The paper provides a rationale, often through examples, for increased investment in IT in agricultural development, particularly in the areas of poverty reduction, increased participation, improved governance, natural resource management and improved opportunities for women. The paper gives a series of examples where IT can be used to make rural development better, cheaper and faster for rural people, borrowers and Bank staff. A number of simple, practical requirements are given in order to get incremental benefits from IT applications. Also, more radical changes are proposed to achieve the full potential from IT, including a cross-sectoral approach to rural development, a more realistic model of technology transfer, and support for empowerment of the poor. The paper ends with a number of next steps, including increasing awareness and skills and increasing investments in IT. Furthermore, the paper has ten annexes on particular information technologies, providing task managers with information on what the technology is, how much it costs, what advantages and disadvantages are, and what the requirements are to make it work. A bibliography is included.
650			_aINFORMACION AGRICOLA
650			_aDESARROLLO RURAL
650			_aTECNOLOGIA DE LA INFORMACION
650			_aTICS
653			_a
700			_aZijp, Willem
710			_aBanco Mundial
920			_a48027
942			_cLIBR _j338.10285 Z 48027
999			_c17387 _d17387