Consolidation of human factors limiting the success and sustainability of e-Agriculture projects in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

AbstractHuman factors affecting e-Agriculture should be identified and understood to ensure the success and sustainability of e-Agriculture projects. However, specific human factors influencing e-Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa have never been consolidated. In this regard, the current study reviewed diverse literature and consolidated the human factors and gaps limiting the expansion of e-Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa to inform the sustainability of projects millions of people in the region rely on for their livelihood. Employing a systematic literature review method, the study initially retrieved 1624 relevant articles from seven e-databases. The retrieved articles were filtered to the 14 most representative articles using the standard protocol to narrow a database. The results revealed human factors and gaps limiting e-Agriculture projects in sub-Saharan Africa as inadequate education and training, age, gender bias, lack of experience, lack of awareness, exclusion of farmers, lack of user-centred requirements, exaggerated expectations and lack of trust and transparency. Thus, the study enlightens e-Agriculture service providers and policy practitioners on issues about human factors that need improvement to facilitate the success and sustainability of e-Agricultural projects. Likewise, the study draws the attention of stakeholders to devise mitigation measures against human factors affecting e-Agriculture projects in sub-Saharan Africa.Keywords: Africae-Agriculturehuman factorsinformation and communication technology (ICT)small-scale farmers (SSFs)technology Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.Notes1 https://www.hfes.org/About-HFES/What-is-Human-Factors-and-Ergonomics2 SSA excludes the five North African countries of Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Libya3 https://examplanning.com/definition-of-education-by-different-authors/