Achieving Zero Hunger Goal in ASEAN-8: Impact of ICT on Prevalence of Undernourishment
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The prevalence of undernourishment is a key indicator of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) "Zero Hunger." Despite some progress, undernourishment remains a major issue in the ASEAN region, with most countries recording rates above the targets set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This study investigates the direct and indirect impacts of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the prevalence of undernourishment across eight ASEAN countries from 2015 to 2022. The analysis uses panel data regression with path analysis, applying the Chow test, Hausman test, and classical assumption test to determine the optimal model. The Sobel test is also employed to examine the significance of mediating variables. The results show that ICT directly reduces undernourishment and indirectly affects it through improvements in GDP per capita, education, and healthcare. These findings highlight the critical role of ICT in advancing sustainable development and addressing food insecurity. On the basis of the results, ASEAN countries are encouraged to promote ICT integration in key sectors, particularly education, health, and the economy. Strengthening digital infrastructure, implementing technology-based training programs, and enacting policies that support inclusive economic growth can enhance the impact of ICT on reducing undernourishment. By pursuing these strategies, ASEAN nations can accelerate digital transformation and move closer to achieving the "Zero Hunger" target. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the use of ICT as a strategic tool for improving food security and fostering long-term development across the region.
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Ahmed, D. E. E., & Almoree, M. (2024). The Impact of Information and Communications Technology on Life Expectancy: The Case of Saudi Arabia. Issues in Economics and Business, 10(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.5296/ieb.v10i1.21993
Aker, J. C., & Mbiti, I. M. (2010). Mobile Phones and Economic Development Africa. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(3), 207–232. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.24.3.207
Allemann, H., & Poli, A. (2020). Designing and evaluating information and communication technology-based interventions? Be aware of the needs of older people. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 19(5), 370–372. https://doi.org/10.1177/1474515119897398
Alrikabi, H. T. H. S., Al-Dujaili, M. J., Majeed, B. H., & Alrubeei, I. R. N. (2024). Information and Communication Technology and its Impact on Improving the Quality of Engineering Education Systems. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy, 14(1), 4–19. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v14i1.46943
Anastasopoulou, E., Tsagri, A., Avramidi, E., Lourida, K., Mitroyanni, E., Tsogka, D., & Katsikis, I. (2024). The impact of ICT on education. Technium Social Sciences Journal, 58(June), 48–55.
Anser, M. K., Osabohien, R., Olonade, O., Karakara, A. A., Olalekan, I. B., Ashraf, J., & Igbinoba, A. (2021). Impact of ict adoption and governance interaction on food security in West Africa. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(10), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105570
Anutosh, Maitra., Rambhau, Eknath, Rote., Nataraj, Kuntagod. (2017). Managing child malnutrition via digital enablement: Insights from a field trial. 1-7. doi: 10.1109/GHTC.2017.8239273
Bloem, M. W., de Pee, S., Hop, L. T., Khan, N. C., Laillou, A., Minarto, Moench-Pfanner, R., Soekarjo, D., Soekirman, Solon, J. A., Theary, C., & Wasantwisut, E. (2013). Key strategies to further reduce stunting in Southeast Asia: lessons from the ASEAN countries workshop. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 34(2 Suppl), 8–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/15648265130342s103
Chen, B., & Zhao, C. (2021). Poverty reduction in rural China: Does the digital finance matter? PLoS ONE, 16(12 December 2021), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261214
Das, A., Khan, S., & Chowdhury, M. (2016). Effects of ICT development on economic growth in emerging Asian countries. ICTs in Developing Countries: Research, Practices and Policy Implications, 141–159. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137469502_9
Deurenberg, P., & Siong, T. E. (2016). The Southeast Asian Nutrition Surveys. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 28, 6S-7S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539516653883
Domguia, E. N., Hymette, L. F. N., Nzomo, J. T., Ngassam, S. B., & Donfouet, O. (2023). How important is ICT for reducing undernourishment in Africa? Telematics and Informatics Reports, 11(December 2022), 100098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2023.100098
FAO. (2023). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in The World 2023. In The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023. FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc3017en
Gujarati, D. N. (2004). Basic Econometrics. In New York. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1186874
Hamdani, H., Syahnur, S., & Suriani, S. (2023). Analysis of Government Rice Absorption in Indonesia. International Journal of Finance, Economics and Business, 2(3), 218–225. https://doi.org/10.56225/ijfeb.v2i3.186
Henriques, S., Damásio, M. J., & Rosa, P. J. (2023). School-based interventions using media technologies to promote health behavior change and active learning about nutrition: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Active Learning for Digital Transformation in Healthcare Education, Training and Research, 113–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-15248-1.00014-X
ITU. (2023). The ICT Development Index 2023. ITU.
Kristin, Liabo., Antonia, Simon., Janice, Tripney., Kathy‐ann, Daniel‐Gittens., Alex, Elwick. (2016). Provision of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Improving Academic Achievement and School Engagement in Students Aged 4-18: A Systematic Review.
Lechman, E., & Popowska, M. (2022). Harnessing digital technologies for poverty reduction. Evidence for low-income and lower-middle income countries. Telecommunications Policy, 46(6), 102313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2022.102313
Lee, M. H., Liu, P. Y., & Lio, M. C. (2016). The impact of the diffusion of information and communication technology on health: A cross-country study. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 11(2), 471–491. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-014-9376-5
Lingala, S., Bajoria, M., & Olson, R. (2020). Using cutting-edge technology to end malnutrition. UNSCN News, 45, 92–95. https://ezp.lib.cam.ac.uk/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lhh&AN=20203454408&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Mackinnon, D. P. (2008). Introduction to statistical mediation analysis. In NBER Working Papers. http://www.nber.org/papers/w16019
Mbuya, N. V., Osornprasop, S., & David, C. (2019). Addressing the Double Burden of Malnutrition in ASEAN. In Addressing the Double Burden of Malnutrition in ASEAN. https://doi.org/10.1596/33142
Melo, G. R. do A. e. (2017). Nutritional interventions for adolescents using information and communication technologies (ICTs): A systematic review. PLoS ONE, 12(9), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0184509
Munawwaroh, M., Anantanyu, S., & Sumardiyono, S. (2022). Effectiveness of digital interventions with application program to improve nutritional knowledge, mother’s behavior and nutrition status of children under five. World Nutrition Journal, 5(S3), 45. https://doi.org/10.25220/wnj.v05.s3.0032
Napitupulu, R. B., Simanjuntak, T. P., Hutabarat, L., Damanik, H., Harianja, H., Sirait, R. T. M., & Tobing, C. E. R. L. (2021). Penelitian bisnis : Teknik dan analisa data dengan SPSS - STATA - EVIEWS. In Madenatera (Vol. 1). Madenatera.
Qureshi, S., & Najjar, L. (2015). A Model for ICT Capacity Building in Very Small Island States : How does ICT usage increase per capita incomes ? July.
Retherford, R. D., & Choe, M. K. (1993). Statistical Models for Causal Analysis. In Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. Series A (Statistics in Society) (Vol. 158, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.2307/2983432
Ronaghi, M. H. (2022). The impact of information and communication technology on life expectancy in the Middle East. Depiction of Health, 13(1), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.34172/doh.tbzmed.ac.ir
Samadder, S., & Rao, D. (2023). Role and importance of ICT in agricultural extension. Recent Trends in Agriculture, February. https://doi.org/10.22271/int.book.221
Seyyedi, N., Rahimi, B., Eslamlou, H., Afshar, H., Spreco, A., & Timpka, T. (2020). Smartphone-Based Maternal Education for the Complementary Feeding of Undernourished Children. Journal Nutrients, 12(587), 1–12. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/2/587
Shtewi, O. A., & Almajdob, M. S. (2024). Information and Communication Technology as a Resource for Revitalising the Arab World Economy in the Modern Digital Era. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(7), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v14-i7/22001
Singh, D., Mehta, S., Jangra, S., Batiha, G. E.-S., & Singh, T. G. (2023). Management of nutrition crisis: Technology-based transformation in the field of healthcare. Journal of Pharmaceutical Technology, Research and Management, 11(1 (2023)), 61–69. https://doi.org/10.15415/jprtm.2023.111006
Smith, L. C., & Haddad, L. (2015). Reducing Child Undernutrition: Past Drivers and Priorities for the Post-MDG Era. World Development, 68(1), 180–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.11.014
Sugiharjo, D., Suriani, S., & Seftarita, C. (2024). The effect of special autonomy fund allocation for education and health on human development in Aceh Province, Indonesia. International Journal of Finance, Economics and Bussiness, 1(2), 96–106. https://doi.org/10.61975/gjbes.v1i2.36
Sundram, P. (2023). Food security in ASEAN: progress, challenges and future. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7(October), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1260619
Suriani, & Ridzqi, F. (2019). Effect of commodity prices on inflation persistence: partial adjustment approach. Regional Science Inquiry, 11(2).
Suriani, & Sartiyah. (2020). Do food assistance and welfare of rice farmers affect food security? DLSU Business and Economics Review, 30(1), 143–153.
Wang, D., Zhou, T., Lan, F., & Wang, M. (2021). ICT and socio-economic development: Evidence from a spatial panel data analysis in China. Telecommunications Policy, 45(7), 102173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2021.102173
Zulfa, D., Syahnur, S., & Suriani, S. (2023). The impact of E-Money multiplier on economic growth in Indonesia. 2023 International Conference on Decision Aid Sciences and Applications, DASA 2023, January, 421–425. https://doi.org/10.1109/DASA59624.2023.10286776