IDIA2009 Conference
Seizing an opportunity – evidence for the use of cellphones in rural farming communities in Lesotho and lessons learned for the delivery of social protection
Katharine Vincent
Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme South Africa
Tracy Cull
Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme South Africa
Abstract
Social protection programmes are increasingly being developed as a sustainable form of poverty reduction throughout Africa, using mechanisms such as cash transfers to vulnerable people (e.g. social pensions, child grants and disability payments). Whilst there is growing evidence supporting the use of cash, ensuring effective delivery to beneficiaries in often remote and inaccessible areas can be problematic, prompting consideration of innovative delivery mechanisms such as the use of cellphones. High technology solutions are often criticised as being inappropriate for the vulnerable groups of the population targeted with cash transfers. This paper outlines the experience of a pilot project in Lesotho where cellphones were provided to people with similar profiles to the beneficiaries of cash transfer programmes - women’s farming groups. The results of evaluations undertaken in May 2007 and then January 2009 show that, contrary to the arguments against using cellphones to deliver cash transfers, even illiterate vulnerable people are able to actively embrace the technology, and their vulnerability is not increased by providing them with a valuable asset. Furthermore, access to technology provides a range of ancillary advantages. These women’s cooperative groups have greatly benefited from improved communications, both in terms of their farming activities and the reduced time and cost of staying in touch with each other. Through selling airtime by SMS they have also used them as effective income generating tools. It concludes that there is great potential for the use of mobile technology to deliver social protection, but that active partnerships between governments and private sector partners will be required.
