Agricultural Information Access and Use Among Smallholder Farmers

Smallholder farmers, defined as cultivators operating on plots of limited size, supply much of the world’s staple food but often face obstacles in locating and applying relevant agricultural knowledge. Access to timely, accurate and actionable information on agronomic practices, pest and disease management, climate adaptation and market opportunities underpins productivity and resilience. Historically, extension services, local cooperatives, community networks and mass media have formed the backbone of information dissemination in rural areas. Recent shifts in mobile telephony and digital advisory platforms are reshaping how smallholders seek and utilise knowledge, enabling direct interaction with experts, peer exchange and data-driven decision-making. However, persistent challenges such as infrastructure deficits, literacy gaps, trust in information sources and gender inequalities continue to limit uptake. A nuanced understanding of information-seeking behaviour and the interplay between traditional and contemporary channels is essential to support sustainable intensification, reduce yield gaps and bolster livelihoods.

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Agricultural Information Access and Use Among Smallholder Farmers publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in agricultural information access and use among smallholder farmers across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Smallholder farmer: A cultivator operating a small plot of land, often dependent on family labour and limited capital.

Agricultural extension: Organised services providing farmers with technical advice, training and support to improve practices.

Information asymmetry: A situation in which one party has more or better information than another, affecting decision-making.

Information-seeking behaviour: The methods and channels used by individuals to locate, evaluate and apply information.

Digital advisory service: Electronic platforms delivering tailored agronomic or market information to farmers, often via mobile devices.

References

1. Agricultural Information Needs and Resources of Smallholder Sugarcane Farmers in Swaziland. Libri (2024).
2. Communication networks used by smallholder livestock farmers during disease outbreaks: Case study in the Free State, South Africa. Open Agriculture (2022).
3. Access to and use of agricultural information and technology in a sample of paddy farmers in the Hambantota district of Sri Lanka: a survey. Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences (2022).