Information and communications technology for poverty reduction. lessons from rural India

Information and communications technology (ICT) can reduce poverty by improving poor people's access to education, health, government and financial services. ICT can also help small farmers and artisans by connecting them to markets. It is clear that in rural India, as well as in much of the developing world, realization of this potential is not guaranteed. Low-cost access to information infrastructure is a necessary prerequisite for the successful use of ICT by the poor, but it is not sufficient. The implementation of ICT projects needs to be performed by organizations and individuals who have the appropriate incentives to work with marginalized groups. As this paper attests, these intermediaries are best suited to promote local ownership and poor people's participation, as well as the availability of content that responds to the most pressing information needs of the community.