Leveraging Mobile Platform Technology to Address the Information and Developmental Needs of Marginalized Communities in Uganda

Abstract

This paper describes the designing and deploying an information system that leverages mobile technology to address the information and developmental needs of dairy farmers in Western Uganda. Poverty is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that needs a number of theories and methodologies to solve. In this project, participatory theories and triple helix methodologies were used in managing the collaboration among multiple stakeholders. Agile methods of software systems development were used. The major outcome of the project is that iFARMs, an open source solution, was developed and deployed for use by rural dairy farmers in Western Uganda.