Mobile Phones for Agricultural and Rural Development: A Literature Review and Future Research Directions. Duncombe, R. Africa, Nature Publishing Group, 2012.
Mobile Phones for Agricultural and Rural Development: A Literature Review and Future Research Directions [pdf]Paper  Mobile Phones for Agricultural and Rural Development: A Literature Review and Future Research Directions [pdf]Website  abstract   bibtex   
This paper provides a systematic review of the potential and the limitations of mobile phones in the delivery of rural services for agricultural and rural development (ARD) in developing countries. Evidence from published research is framed according to the design, uptake, usage and impact of mobile phone-based innovations through a critical review of the literature encompassing both academic and practitioner sources. The review indicates a rapid expansion of research in recent years, and a growing number of primary research studies that have developed rigorous methodologies for data collection and analysis, with welcome contribution from developing country institutions and researchers. There is positive linking with mainstream research disciplines and specific attempts to develop new theoretical understandings. Gaps in the literature suggest areas where future research priorities may lie, relating to assessment of information and service needs, consideration of indicators of sector performance and productivity, assessment of broader impacts at the community level, greater focus on methodologies that emphasise user involvement, and expansion of qualitative approaches which could form the basis for theorising and greater geographical diversity. There is also need to investigate new trends that are emerging due to the convergence

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