Evaluation of an M-Service for Farmers in a Developing Region
M. Sirajul Islam · Media Asia · 2011
This paper addresses the issues relating to evaluating a mobile phone-based agricultural market information service designed for farmers in Bangladesh. The paper is grounded on a mixed methods research approach and case study supported by surveys and participant observations. The findings show and confirm that addressing the need assessment and “perceived ease of use” adequately, upholding management efficiency, adopting innovative strategies for sustainability, getting the involvement of local stakeholders, deploying appropriate technology to make the service fully accessible by targeted end-users, and processing and disseminating qualitative, and useful content are the major aspects of a good service. The lessons learned from the case study can be of special interest for academicians as well as for practitioners who are particularly concerned with the use of mobile technologies for rural development in emerging economies.