Extent of adoption of mobile phone applications by smallholder dairy farmers in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, smartphones are readily available at lower cost than before, allowing farmers to access agricultural information through mobile applications. However, despite increased ownership of smartphones and the availability of mobile applications, the overall usage of mobile applications is still low. This research aimed to assess the factors that determine the adoption of mobile phone applications among smallholder dairy farmers in Tharaka Nithi County of Kenya. A multistage stratified sampling procedure was used to interview 427 farmers. A Double Hurdle approach was employed to analyze the drivers of decision and extent of adoption of mobile applications. The study revealed that 51% of the respondents used mobile applications to access agricultural information. The decision to use a mobile phone application was influenced by the sex of the household head, age and level of education, distance to the market center, farming (as the primary occupation), access to credit, channels of access to information, farmer’s perception on the cost and ease of use of the mobile application. Subsequently, farm size and the various channels through which farmers access information about the applications positively influenced the number of mobile applications used. This study recommends strengthening the existing extension pathways to disseminate more information regarding the use of mobile applications among smallholder farmers. Supporting public-private partnerships will be crucial in increasing the utilization of mobile phone applications.

Keywords:

• agricultural information
• mobile applications
• smallholder dairy farmers
• smartphones

Public interest statement

In Kenya, smartphones are now more affordable, which means farmers have a chance to use mobile applications to access agricultural information. A study involving 427 smallholder dairy farmers in Tharaka Nithi County, found that 51% of the farmers used mobile applications to get agricultural information. More men had mobile applications than women and the difference was significant. As well, younger farmers adopted mobile applications than the older farmers. There were differences in the adoption of mobile applications in the education level of the farmer, the distance to the market, farming as the main occupation, access to credit, and how farmers learned about the applications. Farm size and the different ways farmers accessed information about the applications also affected the number of applications adopted. The study suggests that we need to improve how we share information about agricultural applications with farmers. The public and private organizations need to work together to create awareness of mobile applications.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge funding from the World Bank and the Government of Kenya through the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data is available upon a reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Kenya Climate Smart Agricultural Project.

Notes on contributors

Samuel P. Mutuma

Samuel P. Mutuma is a PhD student in Agricultural Economics at Kenyatta University. He specializes in value chain development, design and implementation of agribusiness projects, and delivery of extension services to farmers.

Wangare L. Ngare

Wangare L. Ngare, PhD Specialist in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Marketing. She is a Senior Lecturer at the Cooperative University of Kenya.

Eric K. Bett

Eric K. Bett, PhD An agribusiness specialist and Senior Lecturer of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at Kenyatta University. He heads the Department of Agricultural Economics, Kenyatta University.

Christopher N. Kamau

Christopher N. Kamau Tutorial Fellow at the Department of Agricultural Economics, Kenyatta University. His research interests are in production economics, agricultural marketing, adoption of agricultural technologies, and impact assessment.