Digital Technologies and Sustainable Livestock Systems in Rural Communities

Transforming agriculture from a largely subsistence enterprise to a profitable commercial venture is both a prerequisite and a driving force for accelerated development and sustainable growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this investigation is to assess the impact of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) e-wallet program on informal farm entrepreneurship development in rural Nigeria. Informal sector farmers are those that are not legally registered at the national level although could be connected to a registered association.The research is motivated by the absence of literature focusing on the problem statement or objective of the study. One thousand one hundred and fifty-two rural farmers were sampled across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Results from the use of a bivariate probit model indicate that the mobile phone-based technology via the e-wallet program is a critical factor that has enhanced farm entrepreneurship in rural Nigeria. However, results also show that the impact of mobile phones (as a channel to accessing and using modern agricultural inputs) is contingent on how mobile networks are able to link farmers who live in rural areas and work mainly in farming. The results suggest that increasing mobile phone services in rural Nigeria enhances farmers' knowledge, information, and adoption of improved farm inputs and by extension, spurs rural informal sector economic activities in sub-Saharan Africa. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.

Section: Background and Theoretical Underpinningsmentioning

confidence: 90%

The impact of e‐wallet on informal farm entrepreneurship development in rural Nigeria

Uduji

Okolo‐Obasi

Asongu

2018

“…Also, the researcher connected to some of the research participants using the social technologies (Facebook and WhatsApp), and this has enabled the researcher to walk with (virtually) the research participants and engage in conversations with the research participants in a more relaxed way. Furthermore, the researcher continues to participate in the community practices, for instance, attending livestock auction (Gwaka, ), attending local entertainment shows, and eating at the local eating places. By doing so, the researcher continues to interact with the research participants as a participant‐researcher (Murthy, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite most rural communities in developing countries lacking access to internet or mobile connection (Rey‐Moreno, Blignaut, Tucker, & May, ), Foster, Graham, Mann, Waema, and Friederici () suggest that there has been a massive improvement in the Internet access in developing countries. Relating to the study area, Gwaka () observed that most youths in the study area have knowledge of, have access to, and can use social media applications/services such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. The use of DTs such as social technologies can serve a critical function of mobility—which is giving access.…”

Section: Youth Mobility In Rural Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, the main form of technology within the study area is the mobile phone. While connectivity to Zimbabwe mobile networks is extremely poor, most households in the study area use South African networks (Gwaka, ). During the study, participants were asked the ways in which they were making use of DTs (mobile phone) to support their daily practices and one respondent indicated that

We have a WhatsApp group for the boys in the community.…”

Section: Youth Mobility In Rural Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, Foster et al () show that through improved internet connectivity, information and data flows within developing countries have altered. Also, the emergence of mobile money services such as Ecocash has transformed mobility of money (Gwaka, ). Through DTs, the concept of time and space in rural communities is changing, but also, not all change is desirable, eg, when it negatively affects culture and social capital within the communities (cf Vilhelmson & Thulin, ).…”

Section: Youth Mobility In Rural Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Digital technologies and youth mobility in rural Zimbabwe

Gwaka

2018

Self Cite

The adoption and use of digital technologies (DTs) in rural communities have an impact on several aspects of the society. Using empirical evidence from selected villages of Beitbridge district in Zimbabwe, this study examines the relationship between DTs and youth mobility. The different types, causes, and motifs associated with youth mobilities are explored using qualitative research methods including focus group discussions and community visioning workshops. Study findings reveal challenges facing youths in trying to be mobile including social (mainly gender) inequalities. Thus, women were found to be less mobile. Lack of infrastructure was found to be another key challenge impacting youth mobility. The study however found that DTs are being adopted and this has led to virtual mobilities, which is redefining youth mobility. The opportunities and challenges of integrating virtual mobilities and physical mobilities were explored. The study findings are critical to various actors including ICT, education, and other sectors in that they show opportunities that need to be expropriated to enhance youth mobility, which is key to socio‐economic well‐being of youths, as well as the challenges that can be faced through the ubiquity of DTs.

Towards low‐cost community networks in rural communities: The impact of context using the case study of Beitbridge, Zimbabwe

Gwaka

May

Tucker

2018

Self Cite

Most rural communities in developing countries such as Zimbabwe are underserved and/or unserved with regard to telecommunication connectivity. Governments in developing countries are also under-resourced to provide adequate digital infrastructure. Thus, community networks are increasingly seen as viable alternatives to bridge the infrastructure gap in Africa. However, new infrastructure interventions in developing countries face many challenges including complex interventions stemming from complex policies inserted into complex sociopolitical environments. The success of community networks in other African countries prompts this investigation into the potential of transferring the community network approach to Zimbabwe. The objective of this article is to frame how context impacts development of digital infrastructure. Zimbabwe's telecommunication regulatory framework is on the verge of countenancing the development of community networks, and for this reason, there is need for research to inform would-be investors, policy makers, and other stakeholders such as academia, NGOs, and communities themselves, on how the sociopolitical and economic environment impact these efforts. This is important because successful deployment of a community network may result in improved community development, eg, in food security, health, and education.