The appropriation of ICT in a network of rural collectivities ‘Empowerment or Exclusion?’ Hanneke Post Master student International Development Studies at the Wageningen University. Specialization: Communication, Technology and Policy. LAW-80436 Main supervisor: Prof. Mirjam de Bruijn (African Studies Centre, Leiden) Co- supervision: Prof. Han van Dijk and Dr. Otto Hospes (Law and Governance group) Dr. Todd Crane (Technology and Agricultural Development group) Index Index .................................................................................................................................................... 2 Abbreviations........................................................................................................................................ 4 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 6 Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................... 7 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Research setting............................................................................................................................................ 8 The use of ICT in the agricultural context of Sikasso, Mali............................................................. 8 The use of ICT within a network of rural collectivities. .................................................................. 9 Project Jèkafo Gèlèkan. .................................................................................................................. 9 Set up of the thesis ..................................................................................................................................... 10 2. Theoretical Framework.....................................................................................................................11 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Governance complexity and power relations............................................................................................. 12 The meaning different institutions attach to ICT for development initiatives........................................... 13 The meaning individuals attach to ICT........................................................................................................ 15 3. Research field and questions.............................................................................................................17 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Research area, the region Sikasso .............................................................................................................. 17 Data collection ............................................................................................................................................ 18 The network of rural collectivities and partners......................................................................................... 19 The rural collectivities................................................................................................................... 19 The OP (Organization Paysannes)................................................................................................. 20 Local/regional Unions................................................................................................................... 20 The CLCOP (Comités Locals de Concertation des Organisations Paysannes)............................... 21 The CRCR (Comité Régional de Concertation des Ruraux) .......................................................... 21 Sene Kunafoni Bulon..................................................................................................................... 22 National Rural collectivities/Governmental Institutes and other actors. .................................... 23 How the information is structured. ............................................................................................................ 23 Case studies .................................................................................................................................. 23 Research questions ..................................................................................................................................... 26 Main question............................................................................................................................... 26 Sub questions................................................................................................................................ 26 4. Agricultural and political background. ...............................................................................................27 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 27 The agricultural sector in Sikasso................................................................................................................ 27 Decentralization.......................................................................................................................................... 28 Informants on decentralization and its impact on the organization of farmers.......................... 30 Loi d’Orientation Agricole........................................................................................................................... 31 The informants’ opinions on the LOA........................................................................................... 32 Policy on ICT................................................................................................................................................ 33 The ICT advisors opinion on the policy......................................................................................... 34 ICT policy in relation to rural development.................................................................................. 35 Conclusion................................................................................................................................................... 36 5. The structure and organization of the CRCR, the CLCOP and OP and their use of ICT.......................38 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 38 2 The CRCR (Comité Régional de Concertation des Ruraux)......................................................................... 38 The structure. ............................................................................................................................... 38 The goal of the CRCR according to employees............................................................................. 39 The division of tasks within the CRCR........................................................................................... 39 Leadership within the CRCR.......................................................................................................... 40 The role of ICT within the CRCR .................................................................................................................. 41 The CLCOP (Comités Locals de Concertation des Organisations Paysannes) ............................................. 43 The structure. ............................................................................................................................... 43 The advantages of being a CLCOP member.................................................................................. 43 The division of tasks ..................................................................................................................... 44 The different posts in the boards of CLCOP ................................................................................. 44 Administrative Secretaries............................................................................................................ 44 The Directors. ............................................................................................................................... 45 Permanent secretaries.................................................................................................................. 45 Other posts ................................................................................................................................... 45 Leadership .................................................................................................................................... 46 The role of ICT within the CLCOP.................................................................................................. 46 The OP (Organisations Paysannes) ............................................................................................................. 48 The structure. ............................................................................................................................... 48 The advantages of being an OP member. ...................................................................................