Digital literacy and crop productivity: evidence from cross- sectional data in Hai and Moshi districts, Kilimanjaro-Tanzania
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Date
2024-03-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AJOL
Abstract
Access to information through digital platforms particularly social media has the potential to
improve agricultural productivity, henceimprovement of smallholder farmers' well-being. This is
anticipated where farmers can significantly access, understand, evaluate and apply information
obtained in agricultural-related activities. However, this depends, inter alia, on the extent to
which farmers are digital literate, despite notable access and general use of digital platforms by
farmers, there is a need to empirically understand how farmers digital literacy contributes to crop
productivity . The study explored the use of social media and the Internet through digital platforms by
smallholder farmers and determined the contribution of digital literacy to agricultural productivity.
The study adopted a cross-sectional research design; data were collected using a structured
questionnaire from 200 purposefully selected smallholder farmers. Focus group discussions and
key informant interviews were used to collect complementary data. Descriptive statistical analysis
was used to explore the use of the internet and social media, multiple linear regression analysis
was used to determine the contribution of digital literacy to agricultural productivity. The results
show that 70.5 per cent of smallholder farmers have access to social media. However, the majority
(95%) lack awareness of agricultural information apps. Although digital literacy had a negative
but significant effect on maize productivity, it nonetheless had a positive and significant effect
on common beans' productivity. It is concluded that smallholder social media and the internet
contribute to agricultural productivity. It is recommended that the agricultural and ICT departments
in Hai and Moshi districts and other interested stakeholders should conduct awareness campaigns
and training in rural areas on accessing information concerning agricultural activities through
the use of digital platforms towards improved productivity.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Digital literacy, Internet, Social media, Agricultural productivity, Smallholder farmers