Alfred Said Sife|Elizabeth Kiondo|J. Lyimo-Macha
Contribution of Mobile Phones to Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction in Morogoro Region, Tanzania
Sokoine University of Agriculture|University of Dar es Salaam|Sokoine University of Agriculture
abstract study examined contribution mobile phones rural livelihoods poverty reduction morogoro region tanzania study sample comprised 310 households 74 focus group participants 22 key informants data collected questionnaire focus groups key informant interviews analyzed using spss nvivo findings indicate mobile phones contribute reduce poverty improve rural livelihoods expanding strengthening social networks increase peoples ability deal emergencies cut travel costs maximize outcomes necessary journeys increase temporal accessibility amplify efficiency activities use mobile phones also reduces costs business increases productivity helping rural traders farmers secure better markets prices promptly communicate businessrelated information although enabled rural communities generate income sale mobile phone services phones made important contribution aspect concluded mobile phones contribute improve rural livelihoods reduce poverty providing rural households fast easy modes communication thereby increasing ability access livelihood assets undertake diverse livelihoods strategies overcome vulnerabilities