Co-design for digital tools in agricultural extension. What works where for which farmer
Adoption increases when new digital services are developed together with their end users - smallholder farmers
Abstract
Mobile phones are now widely common in rural areas. Nevertheless, adoption of new digital agro-advisory applications has often been weak. Many of these new services were developed outside of their target context, leading to mismatches with farmers’ preferences regarding mobile phone usage or information access.
Adoption increases when new digital services are developed together with their end users –smallholder farmers. But how? Co-design methodologies systematically involve farmers and extension agents from the beginning. This helps to understand existing information needs, select locally suitable technologies, and further adapt the design with the critical feedback from expected users.
This research is an output of the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification Research and Learning in Africa (SAIRLA) programme
Citation
Ortiz-Crespo, B., Steinke, J., van Etten, J. (2019) Co-design for digital tools in agricultural extension. What works where for which farmer Policy brief No. 1, Bioversity International, Rome.
Link
Co-design for digital tools in agricultural extension. What works where for which farmer