Caroline Figueres, IICD's managing director, stated that the use of ICT's like mobile phones and computers can connect farmers and increase their income.
She commented that ICTs are crucial to make farmers more productive, innovative and responsive to changing markets and social and environmental conditions.
"Smallholder farmers are key actors who will contribute to feeding the planet and managing natural resources. Connecting them should be done in an affordable and relevant way. For example, in Santa Cruz (Bolivia), farmers are now able to increase the income they earn for their produce via the internet, radio and mobile phone. By going to a website, listening to a daily radio show or subscribing to a daily text message service, they find out where and when their produce is sold at the highest price."
She added that in order to foster development, giving information is not enough and that other practices should be done; such as making videos showing farmers how to grow specific crops and encouraging farmers to share and communicate with each other.
Read article: http://www.iicd.org/articles/use-of-information-and-communication-technology-improves-income-of-farmers
Source: iicd