Introduction
ICT stands for information and communication technology and usually covers all information handling tools. It consists of a set of applications, services and goods which are used to produce, distribute, store, exchange and process information. As the world advances in information technology, those in the rural setting are left behind since they lack the means of accessing these technologies and information. Therefore, my study will be on how to use this technology to upgrade the lives of people in the rural areas. I believe this is the catalyst the will help the society move to the 21st century successfully.
ICT can be used to reduce poverty in rural areas through a number of ways. First, it will provide access to relevant information such information on market prices, political and land rights, medical assistance and people can also train themselves through e-learning thus enabling them be responsible for their own development. The poor always lack a voice in public policy and life and so ICT will enable them participate and raise their concerns in decision making, people will also raise their voices on issues to do with their rights and interests and help promote local culture through the local content.ICT will also provide a decentralized and interactive platform that will enable people share skills and build networks, promote their rights and interests well and impact more effectively, rapidly and collectively political decisions that affects their lives. At the end of the day, I want to make sure that everybody has access to fast and affordable internet connection. In areas where it will not be possible to connect every home due to homestead dispersion, I will want to make a centralized point where people can come to access the internet.
The program will be initiated by drafting a program of ICT in the area using the available knowledge, we also draft fund mechanism with international organizations, establish a focus group for the program, inform the public through publicity and organizing for workshops where the program will be held. I will also ensure proper coordination with donors so as to improve funding, appoint various management bodies and agents to help in budgeting and appropriate use of funds and come up with ways of reporting success and lessons learnt.
The program will be sustained by setting up appropriate legislation that will enable the program run continuously for longer periods of time. This will be done by establishing a high powered national consultative committee, an empowered ICT committee agency and implementation partners. The lessons learned will also be taken into consideration. The other means of sustaining the program are by ensuring a strategic communication, using stakeholder led approach as this will enable them support the program, ensure that the partners own the program and are part of its leadership, use a team that has no political interests and involve most of the people in the program and one is also expected to carry out pilot projects within the locality. At the end of the day I only will be looking to start a program which can self sustain itself. This will be possible through e-commerce. By allowing users to make money by using the internet, sustaining it will not be an issue. In fact should a donor not be forthcoming to finance the initial rollout phase, I will approach a venture capitalist since this is a program which will be able to generate substantial finances by the end of the first six months. By empowering the public, I will be eradicating the middle man (broker) who has for a long time exploited the common man. With the resultant additional finances available to the public, paying for the services should be possible easily. It should be clear that the public is never looking for free things rather a chance to make an honest living.
The program in collaboration with government will work together in promoting development of ICT in the rural areas. Institutions within the rural setting should be used in delivering this program especially schools and tertiary colleges since this will enable the young in school to learn and they will in turn pass the information to their parents at home. The program will also pressurize the government to encourage software developers to transfer ICT technology to the rural areas. The program will educate the people on how they can use the internet in marketing their products and this will be an effective way of maintaining the project as many will see it beneficial to them. The program will also encourage establishment of cyber cafes in the rural areas to provide internet services to the locals.
Conclusion
ICT will be of great importance both to the public and the nation in general. The farmers will be able to market their products through the internet and this will in turn increase the income for the country. Information will be passed to the rural people effectively and rapidly through the internet.