Explore the Factors that Influence Smallholder Farmers’ Use of ICTs as Enablers for Knowledge Sharing

Abstract

Agriculture is becoming highly science driven and knowledge intensive, and farming needs are changing. Yet, rural smallholder farmers have no access to science-based agriculture information. Having a wealth of indigenous agricultural knowledge is not enough. Thus, they ought to expand their knowledge-base and networks, by sharing their knowledge and experiences to a wider farmer community. Also, in academia and agriculture research institutions, there exists a rich knowledge base, much of which does not reach rural smallholder farmers. To bridge this knowledge gap, Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) play a vital role. This study therefore explored factors that facilitate smallholder farmers’ use of ICTs as enablers for knowledge sharing. To achieve this, a) a taxonomy of challenges hindering smallholder farmers’ use of ICTs and knowledge sharing are identified; and b) A theoretical model for ICT-enabled agriculture knowledge sharing (ICT-AKS) is derived and the identified relationships are examined. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and literature. The study was conducted in four districts of Uganda (Apac, Lira, Mukura and Bukedea). A total of 156 households engaging in smallholder agriculture particularly cereals (Soy Beans, Maize and Ground nuts) participated, where a total population of 200 smallholder farmers was selected. Results reveal that existence of sharable infrastructure, individual characteristics, willingness to share, usage of ICTs and social cohesion influence rural smallholder farmers’ sharing of knowledge.

Keywords: Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), knowledge sharing, smallholder farmers, Uganda