Designing a farmers digital information system for sustainable agriculture: The perspective of Tanzanian agricultural stakeholders

Abstract

This paper is part of a broader study that aims to design and develop a digital platform that addresses the common challenges of smallholder farmers. More specifically, we analyzed stakeholders' opinions on the farmers' digital information system (FDIS) designed for sustainable agriculture in Tanzania. We used a qualitative research approach to interview 74 key agricultural stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the government subsidy office, agricultural insurance companies, financial institutions, farmers, extension agents and agro‐dealers in 13 regions of Tanzania. The study findings reveal that most stakeholders could adhere to the FDIS design for sustainable agriculture, as it potentially solves common challenges by enabling access to quality farm inputs, credit and insurance services, subsidies, advisory services, and markets for their products. However, the study identified certain factors that could hinder the full potential of the envisaged system, such as digital illiteracy and poor ICT infrastructures in rural areas. By interviewing key agricultural stakeholders, we confirm the potential of FDIS to make agriculture more sustainable in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The FDIS should therefore contribute to food security, environmental protection, job creation and higher incomes, as the agriculture sector becomes more dynamic once it is localized and adapted to the needs of all agricultural stakeholders. In addition, the government is expected to play a key role in setting up the agricultural stakeholders at a national level to help them overcome the challenges involved in exploiting the full potential of the FDIS.