Full internet access will open the door to greater productivity and quality of life in rural areas

During a presentation in Argentina of a report on connectivity prepared by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), it was stated by specialists, officials, and private sector representatives that full Internet access in rural areas would translate into greater productivity and a better quality of life for communities. The document “Rural Connectivity in Latin America and the Caribbean: State of Play, Challenges and Actions for Digitalization and Sustainable Development” was prepared by the organization specializing in rural development and well-being together with the World Bank, CAF-Development Bank of Latin America, Bayer, Microsoft and Syngenta. The document updates the data presented in the first edition published in late 2020 and provides an overview of the current state of rural connectivity in Latin America and the Caribbean. The authors noted that, as stated in the document, 72 million people in rural areas lack access to significant connectivity, which is understood to mean Internet access via adequate devices or with a connection quality that meets current requirements.