Revisiting an information infrastructure for development: exploring the cost of information in Pacific Island development

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been associated with development programmes for many decades. A theme of Lamberton’s commentary on such initiatives focuses on the lack of attention given to information as a key factor in the development process. His writing reiterated a number of arguments that he saw as being fundamental to the application of an information perspective to development issues. With a focus on agricultural development policy in the Pacific region, the paper uses a number of propositions that are suggested by Lamberton to analyse contemporary development initiatives in Pacific Island agriculture. These propositions focus attention on information costs that can influence the transfer of information and development of knowledge. Document analysis of selected published sources from a Pacific Island development programme are reviewed to illustrate the significance of information costs for development processes. The paper addresses the contention between traditional authority and knowledge and its significance for development.

Acknowledgements

The author would like to express his appreciation to the staff of the Samoa Broadcasting Service (Radio 2AP) for their hospitality and patience while introducing him to the Fa'a Samoa.

Notes

1. All-ACP Agricultural Commodities Programme (2011): Brief No. 1 – Market Information Services. Brief No. 2 – Public Policy Support for Smallholder Agriculture. Brief No. 3 – Certification – Opportunities and Challenges for Pacific Producers. Brief No. 4 – Supplying the Tourism Market – Opportunities and Challenges for Pacific Producers. Brief No. 5 – ‘Whole Nut’ Processing of Coconut – Opportunities and Challenges for the Pacific Region. Brief No. 6 – Farmer Organisations in the Pacific Region. All available at SPC (2011).