Digitalisation in agriculture: a scoping review of technologies in practice, challenges, and opportunities for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Digitalisation in agriculture is transforming the way farming is practised worldwide, and its potential benefits for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are particularly promising. Yet, scientific evidence on the digital technologies utilised by smallholder food producers in SSA and the...

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Autores principales: Choruma, Dennis Junior, Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel, Mutenje, Munyaradzi, Mustafa, M., Chimonyo, V. G. P., Jacobs-Mata, Inga, Mabhaudhi, T.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2024
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/162866
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author Choruma, Dennis Junior
Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel
Mutenje, Munyaradzi
Mustafa, M.
Chimonyo, V. G. P.
Jacobs-Mata, Inga
Mabhaudhi, T.
author_browse Chimonyo, V. G. P.
Choruma, Dennis Junior
Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel
Jacobs-Mata, Inga
Mabhaudhi, T.
Mustafa, M.
Mutenje, Munyaradzi
author_facet Choruma, Dennis Junior
Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel
Mutenje, Munyaradzi
Mustafa, M.
Chimonyo, V. G. P.
Jacobs-Mata, Inga
Mabhaudhi, T.
author_sort Choruma, Dennis Junior
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Digitalisation in agriculture is transforming the way farming is practised worldwide, and its potential benefits for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are particularly promising. Yet, scientific evidence on the digital technologies utilised by smallholder food producers in SSA and the associated challenges still needs improvement. This review attempts to provide a thorough overview of the technologies currently being employed by smallholder farmers in SSA while also exploring the associated challenges and opportunities. Through a systematic literature search, 27 relevant studies were analysed to identify the region-wise current technologies, challenges, and opportunities. Results show that various digital technologies are employed, including digital extension services and digital marketing of agricultural products. These technologies improve access to information and markets and enhance productivity. However, challenges hinder widespread adoption. Limited internet connectivity, low digital literacy, inadequate infrastructure, and affordability issues impede progress. Gender disparities further limit the equitable distribution of digitalisation benefits. Despite these challenges, significant opportunities arise from adopting digital technologies. The potential advantages are market access, better decision-making capabilities, and increased income and livelihoods. Digitalisation offers transformative possibilities for smallholder farmers in SSA. Overcoming barriers such as limited connectivity and low digital literacy is crucial. By harnessing the opportunities digital technologies can offer, the livelihoods of smallholder farmers can be uplifted, contributing to the growth of agriculture in SSA.
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publishDate 2024
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spelling CGSpace1628662025-10-26T12:57:03Z Digitalisation in agriculture: a scoping review of technologies in practice, challenges, and opportunities for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa Choruma, Dennis Junior Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel Mutenje, Munyaradzi Mustafa, M. Chimonyo, V. G. P. Jacobs-Mata, Inga Mabhaudhi, T. digital agriculture digital technology sustainable agriculture climate-smart agriculture smallholders farmers livelihoods policies Digitalisation in agriculture is transforming the way farming is practised worldwide, and its potential benefits for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are particularly promising. Yet, scientific evidence on the digital technologies utilised by smallholder food producers in SSA and the associated challenges still needs improvement. This review attempts to provide a thorough overview of the technologies currently being employed by smallholder farmers in SSA while also exploring the associated challenges and opportunities. Through a systematic literature search, 27 relevant studies were analysed to identify the region-wise current technologies, challenges, and opportunities. Results show that various digital technologies are employed, including digital extension services and digital marketing of agricultural products. These technologies improve access to information and markets and enhance productivity. However, challenges hinder widespread adoption. Limited internet connectivity, low digital literacy, inadequate infrastructure, and affordability issues impede progress. Gender disparities further limit the equitable distribution of digitalisation benefits. Despite these challenges, significant opportunities arise from adopting digital technologies. The potential advantages are market access, better decision-making capabilities, and increased income and livelihoods. Digitalisation offers transformative possibilities for smallholder farmers in SSA. Overcoming barriers such as limited connectivity and low digital literacy is crucial. By harnessing the opportunities digital technologies can offer, the livelihoods of smallholder farmers can be uplifted, contributing to the growth of agriculture in SSA. 2024-12 2024-11-29T07:46:34Z 2024-11-29T07:46:34Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/162866 en Open Access Elsevier Choruma, Dennis Junior; Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel; Mutenje, Munyaradzi Junia; Mustafa, M.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Jacobs-Mata, Inga; Mabhaudhi, T. 2024. Digitalisation in agriculture: a scoping review of technologies in practice, challenges, and opportunities for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 18:101286. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101286]
spellingShingle digital agriculture
digital technology
sustainable agriculture
climate-smart agriculture
smallholders
farmers
livelihoods
policies
Choruma, Dennis Junior
Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel
Mutenje, Munyaradzi
Mustafa, M.
Chimonyo, V. G. P.
Jacobs-Mata, Inga
Mabhaudhi, T.
Digitalisation in agriculture: a scoping review of technologies in practice, challenges, and opportunities for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
title Digitalisation in agriculture: a scoping review of technologies in practice, challenges, and opportunities for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
title_full Digitalisation in agriculture: a scoping review of technologies in practice, challenges, and opportunities for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
title_fullStr Digitalisation in agriculture: a scoping review of technologies in practice, challenges, and opportunities for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
title_full_unstemmed Digitalisation in agriculture: a scoping review of technologies in practice, challenges, and opportunities for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
title_short Digitalisation in agriculture: a scoping review of technologies in practice, challenges, and opportunities for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
title_sort digitalisation in agriculture a scoping review of technologies in practice challenges and opportunities for smallholder farmers in sub saharan africa
topic digital agriculture
digital technology
sustainable agriculture
climate-smart agriculture
smallholders
farmers
livelihoods
policies
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/162866
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