Örebro Studies in Informatics 4

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Creating Opportunity by Connecting the Unconnected

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To

my Ma, Abba, my wife Salina and my son Saleef

Örebro Studies in Informatics 4

M. S IRAJUL I SLAM

Creating Opportunity by Connecting the Unconnected

Mobile phone based Agriculture Market Information Service

for Farmers in Bangladesh

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To

my Ma, Abba, my wife Salina and my son Saleef

Örebro Studies in Informatics 4

M. S IRAJUL I SLAM

Creating Opportunity by Connecting the Unconnected

Mobile phone based Agriculture Market Information Service

for Farmers in Bangladesh

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© M. Sirajul Islam, 2011

Title: Creating Opportunity by Connecting the Unconnected.

Mobile phone based Agriculture Market Information Service for Farmers in Bangladesh.

Abstract

M. Sirajul Islam (2011): Creating Opportunity by Connecting the Unconnected: Mobile phone based Agriculture Market Information Service for Farmers in Bangladesh. Örebro Studies in Informatics 4, 185 pp.

This thesis is framed within the research area of Information and Commu- nication Technologies for Development (ICT4D), which is concerned with how ICT can make a difference to the lives of the poor. This study focuses primarily on mobile phones and how they can be used as part of an Agri- culture Market Information Service (AMIS) in order to provide crucial information to farmers in Bangladesh. AMIS principally collect, manage and disseminate agricultural market prices and related information through various processes and media. These services are mainly used by farmers.

The research question of how mobile phone-based AMIS can be designed and deployed in order to improve opportunities for farmers in Bangladesh is investigated through a design science research approach in four steps;

understanding the scope and challenges related to AMIS in least developed countries; diagnosing the situational realities of farmers of Bangladesh;

understanding the process of adopting mobile phones and investigating market information practices and preferences in a rural context; and finally designing and implementing a mobile phone based AMIS and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of it for the farmers of Bangladesh.

In this thesis, development is viewed in terms of bringing about an in- crease in farmers’ capability set directed towards the utilization of re- sources for the purpose of production and trade. Information and knowledge are important drivers of development and poverty reduction: ICT can create new opportunities to expand the availability, exchange, and impact of information and knowledge.

This thesis contributes to ICT4D research and practice through empiri-

cal findings, the design of an AMIS, test results, and the development of

analytical tools. Its major contributions include an increased understanding

of farmers’ attitudes and preferences towards the use of technology in gen-

eral, and mobile phones in particular, and a broader understanding of ICT

for human development in the context of poor rural regions.

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© M. Sirajul Islam, 2011

Title: Creating Opportunity by Connecting the Unconnected.

Mobile phone based Agriculture Market Information Service for Farmers in Bangladesh.

Publisher: Örebro University 2011 www.publications.oru.se

Abstract

M. Sirajul Islam (2011): Creating Opportunity by Connecting the Unconnected: Mobile phone based Agriculture Market Information Service for Farmers in Bangladesh. Örebro Studies in Informatics 4, 185 pp.

This thesis is framed within the research area of Information and Commu- nication Technologies for Development (ICT4D), which is concerned with how ICT can make a difference to the lives of the poor. This study focuses primarily on mobile phones and how they can be used as part of an Agri- culture Market Information Service (AMIS) in order to provide crucial information to farmers in Bangladesh. AMIS principally collect, manage and disseminate agricultural market prices and related information through various processes and media. These services are mainly used by farmers.

The research question of how mobile phone-based AMIS can be designed and deployed in order to improve opportunities for farmers in Bangladesh is investigated through a design science research approach in four steps;

understanding the scope and challenges related to AMIS in least developed countries; diagnosing the situational realities of farmers of Bangladesh;

understanding the process of adopting mobile phones and investigating market information practices and preferences in a rural context; and finally designing and implementing a mobile phone based AMIS and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of it for the farmers of Bangladesh.

In this thesis, development is viewed in terms of bringing about an in- crease in farmers’ capability set directed towards the utilization of re- sources for the purpose of production and trade. Information and knowledge are important drivers of development and poverty reduction: ICT can create new opportunities to expand the availability, exchange, and impact of information and knowledge.

This thesis contributes to ICT4D research and practice through empiri- cal findings, the design of an AMIS, test results, and the development of analytical tools. Its major contributions include an increased understanding of farmers’ attitudes and preferences towards the use of technology in general, and mobile phones in particular, and a broader understanding of ICT for human development in the context of poor rural regions.

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Acknowledgments

My first and foremost sincere and humble thanks are to the Almighty Creator without Whom the sense of my existence would be meaningless. I render my deepest gratitude to my mother Mrs. Rafiqunnesa and my late father Md. Rafiqul Islam. My mother is my living guide to achieving an impeccable grace in life, while lessons learned from my father continue to inspire me to seek, see and act on the lights of life within its structural complexities. I am truly indebted and thankful to my wife Salina Akter – a

‘Florence Nightingale’ who has made my academic and personal life easier by shouldering many of my burdens without complaints to allow me to complete my research without hindrance. She is the one who encouraged me to conquer my irrational ‘homesickness’ and inspired me to aim higher in my studies, beyond my narrowed horizon. Thanks also to Saleef Bin Islam, my son, who constantly helps me to find the meaning of life. Saleef, you are the reason why I find life beautiful and also why I can look to the future. You are our wonderful child and we love you so much. I am also indebted to my elder brothers for their continued heartfelt support, love and good wishes for me throughout my life. They are Dr. Fakhrul Islam, Mr. Aminul Islam, Mr. Monirul Islam, Dr. Saiful Islam, and Mr. Latiful Islam.

I owe my profound thanks to my supervisor Professor Åke Grönlund. I am really so fortunate to have him as a supervisor, a teacher, a guardian, and to have enjoyed his kind-hearted concern throughout my research.

This dissertation would not have been possible without his persistent support. He has always been cordial, prompt and assiduous. He never re- sponded with impatience on the occasions when I displayed stupidity.

Rather, he has always been straightforward, constructive and critical, and has maintained a sense of intellectual humor. I have found him proactive in advising me on many issues that I had not anticipated. The guidance and criticism that I received from him not only contributed to the construction of this thesis, but also helped me to sharpen my way of thinking and my existing knowledge base. I am overwhelmed with the way he acted as

‘Alexander the Great’ in dealing with the ‘Gordian knot’ that I so often

created by turning something simple into something very complex. To me,

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Acknowledgments

My first and foremost sincere and humble thanks are to the Almighty Creator without Whom the sense of my existence would be meaningless. I render my deepest gratitude to my mother Mrs. Rafiqunnesa and my late father Md. Rafiqul Islam. My mother is my living guide to achieving an impeccable grace in life, while lessons learned from my father continue to inspire me to seek, see and act on the lights of life within its structural complexities. I am truly indebted and thankful to my wife Salina Akter – a

‘Florence Nightingale’ who has made my academic and personal life easier by shouldering many of my burdens without complaints to allow me to complete my research without hindrance. She is the one who encouraged me to conquer my irrational ‘homesickness’ and inspired me to aim higher in my studies, beyond my narrowed horizon. Thanks also to Saleef Bin Islam, my son, who constantly helps me to find the meaning of life. Saleef, you are the reason why I find life beautiful and also why I can look to the future. You are our wonderful child and we love you so much. I am also indebted to my elder brothers for their continued heartfelt support, love and good wishes for me throughout my life. They are Dr. Fakhrul Islam, Mr. Aminul Islam, Mr. Monirul Islam, Dr. Saiful Islam, and Mr. Latiful Islam.

I owe my profound thanks to my supervisor Professor Åke Grönlund. I am really so fortunate to have him as a supervisor, a teacher, a guardian, and to have enjoyed his kind-hearted concern throughout my research.

This dissertation would not have been possible without his persistent support. He has always been cordial, prompt and assiduous. He never re- sponded with impatience on the occasions when I displayed stupidity.

Rather, he has always been straightforward, constructive and critical, and has maintained a sense of intellectual humor. I have found him proactive in advising me on many issues that I had not anticipated. The guidance and criticism that I received from him not only contributed to the construction of this thesis, but also helped me to sharpen my way of thinking and my existing knowledge base. I am overwhelmed with the way he acted as

‘Alexander the Great’ in dealing with the ‘Gordian knot’ that I so often created by turning something simple into something very complex. To me, Professor Åke is a great supervisor and I will always cherish the human and intellectual elements of his character.

I would like to show my sincere gratitude to my second supervisor An-

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A very special thanks to Dr. Anders Avdic. Dr. Anders has taught many of my courses in Informatics. He particularly helped me to refine my knowledge on the theory and methodology involved in writing a research paper. His diligence and sincerity in teaching and his cordial interaction with his students will always be an example for me. Thank you so much for your comments on the first draft of this thesis. I am also thankful to Mathias Hatakka for his thought-provoking suggestions in many cases, especially with the emergence of issues on the ‘capability approach’. I am truly respectful to the depth of his knowledge, especially in this area. I am obliged to all of my collogues in Informatics for their moral as well intellectual support, specially Karin Hedström, Agneta Blom and Fredrik Karls- son, Johan Petersson, Jenny Lagsten, Andreas Ask, Hannu Larsson, Johan Aderud, Ella Kolkowska, Ann-Sofie Hellberg, Sana Zubair Khan, Edgar, Iryna Susha, Andreas Persson and Kalle Räisänen. Thanks a lot to Jessica Waleryd, Ida Andersson-Norrie and Anna-Carin Gustafsson for their prompt and cordial administrative support throughout. Lots of thanks to Susan Watts for her help in improving the quality of my cover paper.

My earnest gratitude to Dr. Bjørn Furuholt, University of Agder, who pointed out many drawbacks and gave me valuable research direction during my mid-term seminar. I owe my sincere gratitude to Dr. Øystein Sæbø, University of Agder, for his valuable advice during the final seminar, which led to a significant reorganization of the presentation of my thesis. I am also heartily thankful to Professor Md. Muinuddin Khan, Vice Chancellor of ASA University Bangladesh for his continued good wishes for me and for his encouragement of my research. I also remember with thanks Profes- sor Ali Ahsan, University of Dhaka, who always encouraged me to carry out my research and studies to the best of my ability.

My sincere appreciation for the ‘Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions’ (SPIDER/SIDA) for their cooperation in my research project. I am also grateful to the ‘International Network for Post Graduate Students in the Area of ICT4D (IPID)’ for helping me to participate and share my research ideas with researchers interested in ICT4D around the world. I am also appreciative of the ‘Strengthening ICTD Research Capacity in Asia (SIRCA)’ program of Nanyang Technological University for selecting me as one of their fellows and supporting my research generously. In this case, I am in debt to Dr. Arul Chib, Assistant Director of SIRCA, who has always

Amin. Thanks to the brilliant programmer and database administrator of Soft-Ed Ltd, Mr. Khaleed Al-Amran Sheahad, who used his technical knowledge to transform my theories into a mobile-phone based prototype for use in AMIS. Dr. Yousuf M Islam, the Chairman of Soft-Ed Ltd had always been supportive and cordial in this matter. I am much grateful to Dr. Yusuf for his time and efforts during my fieldwork. I must also thank the dynamic officials of the Department of Agriculture marketing (DAM), Ministry of Agriculture of Bangladesh, especially Mr. Reza Ahmed Khan and Mr. Debasish Barma, for their cooperation.

Finally, I would like to remember with great honor the farmers of Bang- ladesh whose problems and suffering enlightened me as to the issues I should address in my research. In particular, the registered participants of PalliNet helped my research by providing sincere and enthusiastic feed- back, by expressing their interests and by sharing their problems. I express my heartiest gratitude to them all and hope that the findings of my research will make a positive contribution at some level and make a difference to their lives.

- M. Sirajul Islam, Orebro, Sweden November 2011

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A very special thanks to Dr. Anders Avdic. Dr. Anders has taught many of my courses in Informatics. He particularly helped me to refine my knowledge on the theory and methodology involved in writing a research paper. His diligence and sincerity in teaching and his cordial interaction with his students will always be an example for me. Thank you so much for your comments on the first draft of this thesis. I am also thankful to Mathias Hatakka for his thought-provoking suggestions in many cases, especially with the emergence of issues on the ‘capability approach’. I am truly respectful to the depth of his knowledge, especially in this area. I am obliged to all of my collogues in Informatics for their moral as well intellectual support, specially Karin Hedström, Agneta Blom and Fredrik Karls- son, Johan Petersson, Jenny Lagsten, Andreas Ask, Hannu Larsson, Johan Aderud, Ella Kolkowska, Ann-Sofie Hellberg, Sana Zubair Khan, Edgar, Iryna Susha, Andreas Persson and Kalle Räisänen. Thanks a lot to Jessica Waleryd, Ida Andersson-Norrie and Anna-Carin Gustafsson for their prompt and cordial administrative support throughout. Lots of thanks to Susan Watts for her help in improving the quality of my cover paper.

My earnest gratitude to Dr. Bjørn Furuholt, University of Agder, who pointed out many drawbacks and gave me valuable research direction during my mid-term seminar. I owe my sincere gratitude to Dr. Øystein Sæbø, University of Agder, for his valuable advice during the final seminar, which led to a significant reorganization of the presentation of my thesis. I am also heartily thankful to Professor Md. Muinuddin Khan, Vice Chancellor of ASA University Bangladesh for his continued good wishes for me and for his encouragement of my research. I also remember with thanks Profes- sor Ali Ahsan, University of Dhaka, who always encouraged me to carry out my research and studies to the best of my ability.

My sincere appreciation for the ‘Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions’ (SPIDER/SIDA) for their cooperation in my research project. I am also grateful to the ‘International Network for Post Graduate Students in the Area of ICT4D (IPID)’ for helping me to participate and share my research ideas with researchers interested in ICT4D around the world. I am also appreciative of the ‘Strengthening ICTD Research Capacity in Asia (SIRCA)’ program of Nanyang Technological University for selecting me as one of their fellows and supporting my research generously. In this case, I am in debt to Dr. Arul Chib, Assistant Director of SIRCA, who has always been very helpful in the development of my research capacity. I am also thankful to Professor Shaikh Abdus Salam, University of Dhaka, for his supports in SIRCA’s mentoring program.

Amin. Thanks to the brilliant programmer and database administrator of Soft-Ed Ltd, Mr. Khaleed Al-Amran Sheahad, who used his technical knowledge to transform my theories into a mobile-phone based prototype for use in AMIS. Dr. Yousuf M Islam, the Chairman of Soft-Ed Ltd had always been supportive and cordial in this matter. I am much grateful to Dr. Yusuf for his time and efforts during my fieldwork. I must also thank the dynamic officials of the Department of Agriculture marketing (DAM), Ministry of Agriculture of Bangladesh, especially Mr. Reza Ahmed Khan and Mr. Debasish Barma, for their cooperation.

Finally, I would like to remember with great honor the farmers of Bang- ladesh whose problems and suffering enlightened me as to the issues I should address in my research. In particular, the registered participants of PalliNet helped my research by providing sincere and enthusiastic feed- back, by expressing their interests and by sharing their problems. I express my heartiest gratitude to them all and hope that the findings of my research will make a positive contribution at some level and make a difference to their lives.

- M. Sirajul Islam, Orebro, Sweden November 2011

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Abbreviations

AMIS - Agriculture Market Information Service

APDIP - Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation

BBS - Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics BDT - Bangladeshi Taka (currency) BI - Behavioral intention

BTRC - Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission CEEC - Central and Eastern European Countries

CIAT - International Center for Tropical Agriculture

CTA - Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation ACP-EU DAM - Department of Agricultural Marketing

DSR - Design Science Research EV - External variables

EVI - Economic Vulnerability Index

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) FARMNets - The Farmer Information Networks

FM - Frequency Modulation broadcasting GDP - Gross Domestic Product

GGS - Govi Gnana Seva

GMDR - General Methodology of Design Research GNI - Gross National Income

GNP - Gross National Product GoB - Government of Bangladesh

GTZ - Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit HAI - Human Assets Index

HDI - Human Development Index

ICT - Information and Communication Technology

ICT4D - Information and Communication Technologies for Development ICTD - Information and Communication technologies and development ICTDC - Information and Communication technologies in Developing Countries IDRC - Canadian International Development Research Centre

IDT - Innovation Diffusion Theory

IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development IFRTD - International Forum for Rural Transport and Development IICD - International Institute for Communications and Development IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

IS - Information system/service

ISDC - Information systems for developing countries

ISICAD - Information Systems for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Rural Development

IS-PEM - Information Systems Evaluation Matrix ISR - Information Systems Research

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Abbreviations

AMIS - Agriculture Market Information Service

APDIP - Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation

BBS - Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics BDT - Bangladeshi Taka (currency) BI - Behavioral intention

BTRC - Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission CEEC - Central and Eastern European Countries

CIAT - International Center for Tropical Agriculture

CTA - Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation ACP-EU DAM - Department of Agricultural Marketing

DSR - Design Science Research EV - External variables

EVI - Economic Vulnerability Index

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) FARMNets - The Farmer Information Networks

FM - Frequency Modulation broadcasting GDP - Gross Domestic Product

GGS - Govi Gnana Seva

GMDR - General Methodology of Design Research GNI - Gross National Income

GNP - Gross National Product GoB - Government of Bangladesh

GTZ - Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit HAI - Human Assets Index

HDI - Human Development Index

ICT - Information and Communication Technology

ICT4D - Information and Communication Technologies for Development ICTD - Information and Communication technologies and development ICTDC - Information and Communication technologies in Developing Countries IDRC - Canadian International Development Research Centre

IDT - Innovation Diffusion Theory

IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development IFRTD - International Forum for Rural Transport and Development IICD - International Institute for Communications and Development IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

IS - Information system/service

ISDC - Information systems for developing countries

ISICAD - Information Systems for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Rural Development

IS-PEM - Information Systems Evaluation Matrix ISR - Information Systems Research

IT – Information technology

ITC - Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited ITC - International Trade Centre

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LDCs - Least developed countries

LINKS - Livestock Information Network Knowledge System LSE - London School of Economics

MDG - Millennium Development Goals MIS - Market information service

MISTOWA - Network of Regional Market Information Systems and Traders' Organizations in West Africa

MobiCert - Mobile Organic Certification MOPTAM - Mobile Phone Technology Adoption MSU - Michigan State University

MWTAM - Mobile Wireless Technology Acceptance Model NAADS - National Agricultural and Advisory Services NGO - Non-government Organization

OMA - Observatoire du Marché Agricole PC - Personal computer

PDA - Personal digital Assistant PEU - Perceived ease of use

PSTN – Public switched telephone network PU -Perceived usefulness

RATIN - Regional Agricultural Trade Intelligence Network RESIMAO/WAMIS-Net - West-African Market Information Network RuTAM - Rural Technology Acceptance Model

SAmCom - Sustainable Agriculture mobile Commerce SHEMP - Smallholder Enterprise and Marketing Programme SIM - Malian Cereal Market Information System SIMA - Mozambique’s market information service SLF - Sustainable Livelihood Framework SMS - Short Messing Systems

STAM - Senior Technology Acceptance and Adoption Model T2M - Time2Market

TAM - Technology Acceptance Model TMP - Today’s Market Price TPB - Theory of Planned Behavior TPC - Technology-to-Performance Chain TRA - Theory of Reasoned Action TTF - Task-technology fit TV - Television UA - Universal access UN - United Nations

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

UN-ESA - United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO-IITE - UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education

UN-OHRLLS - Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and the Small Island Developing States

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