Challenges Smallholder Farmers Face in Extracting Value from Agricultural Information

Agricultural information can enhance smallholder farmers’ knowledge and decision-making ability, where the ubiquity of ICTs has resulted in an exponential increase of ICT based agricultural information services. However, there is still poor utilization of agricultural information. This study examines challenges that impede smallholder farmers from deriving value from agricultural information despite availability of information services. A mixed-method research approach was employed to gather data from 200 farmers using semi-structured interviews, Likert scale surveys and five focus group discussions. The findings indicate that the challenges faced include low education levels, poor quality information, poorly designed information channels, and high cost of information access. Suggested strategies include training, improving design of information channels, stakeholder collaboration, translating information into local languages and interventions in accelerating use of ICTs. This study will be significant in implementation of impactful information dissemination initiatives. Subsequent research should be focused on investigating the effectiveness of the suggested strategies