Influencing Policy on Information and Communication for Rural Development

In his speech, Anton Mangstl suggests that information on food and agriculture is important to the policies and strategies of groups that are responsible for reducing rural poverty and food insecurity. He states "it is only through improved information that individuals and institutions can make informed choices about the opportunities and constraints associated with agricultural development strategies." He describes the role of The International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD) (a specialized agency of the United Nations), and how it is positioned to advocate for policy change.

Anton Mangstl maintains that "improved access to information is necessary but not sufficient alone for improved policy - and decision-making. Decision-making is a political process and stakeholder participation in decision-making processes is crucially important." He also suggests that "strategies for information in support of policy-making should focus primarily on enhancing the quality and quantity of information available to institutions responsible for making decisions which affect the poor. And "it is important to note that information needs at different levels of government decision-making (local, district, national and international) are highly differentiated."
In respect to food insecurity and poverty, Mangstl notes that there are "complex linkages between policies designed to solve these problems and actual livelihood outcomes." He makes reference to the Food and Agriculture Organization's information systems and tools aimed at policy- and decision-makers and that it is "important to consider the ways in which this information is actually used by the target audiences, as well as if and how it translates into targeted policy interventions."

Mangstl points out that "there is a particular need to increase the capacity for more rapid flexible responses to the information needs of policy-makers. This is partly a question of improved targeting of government information needs and partly a question of supporting and training governments in information management and analysis for policy-making."

Mangstl concludes his speech with this final statement: "there is a significant disconnect between on-the-ground efforts to address local information needs and policy-making processes. The local context has a significant impact on whether generally accepted policy reforms are actually adopted and impact at the local level. Effective policies and processes must be grounded in real life experience, in local circumstances and on real user needs. Both ground-level initiatives and policy reform are necessary, but information flow between the two is generally poor and must be improved if the potential developmental impact of each is to be enhanced."