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Connecting the unconnected? Social ties and ICT adoption among smallholder farmers in developing countries

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  • Kleemann, Linda
  • Semrau, Finn Ole

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can reduce information asymmetries and thereby promote rural development for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Despite rising adoption rates of ICTs, many smallholders remain information constraint. Using panel data from 12,456 smallholder households across 12 developing countries, we analyze the role of social ties in determining ICT adoption and access to agricultural extension services. We find that weak social ties significantly reduce ICT adoption and access to agricultural advice, increasing information inequality. Moreover, ICT adoption, strong social ties and extension services positively correlate with agricultural productivity. Our findings highlight that ICTs, while transformative, may reinforce existing inequalities by marginalizing already disadvantaged smallholders.

Suggested Citation

  • Kleemann, Linda & Semrau, Finn Ole, 2025. "Connecting the unconnected? Social ties and ICT adoption among smallholder farmers in developing countries," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 318202, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ifwkie:318202
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2025.123985
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ICT4D; Digital divide; Social ties; Extension services; Agricultural rural development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • Q19 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Other

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