Kathlee Freeman and Fridah Mubichi Theoretical Framework Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Use by Smallholder Farmers in Rural Mozambique Kathlee Freeman and Fridah Mubichi University of Missouri - Columbia Abstract Agriculture and ICTs In Their Words The potential of information and communication technologies (ICT) to aid in agricultural development has been widely recognized. This qualitative study, based on deductive content analysis, examined the extent of ICT use by farmers in rural Mozambique. The study explored the kinds of ICTs that farmers had access to and the type of information disseminated through them. We drew on qualitative data collected from eight focus groups segmented by gender and comprised of adult farmers in two villages, located in central Mozambique. Findings indicated high use of mobile phones and radio and limited use of television. We also found gendered access and use of ICTs. Smallholder farming is critical for economic growth, development, food security, and household incomes. 80% in Sub-Saharan Africa employed in agriculture 90% of the region’s agricultural production is dependent on smallholder farmers. 32% to the continent’s gross domestic product based on agriculture. “I go to my friend’s house at 8 P.M. to see what’s going on. After news we watch the novellas….” (Female respondent, Village 2) “China is doing a good job producing cheap radios that last 2 months” [said with sarcasm] (Male respondent, Village 2) “I text to ask for credit” (Female respondent, Village 1) ICTs: Mozambique - 69.7% mobile phone subscription rates. Mobile phones are a growing source of information for smallholder farmers Radio is the most widely spread technology. Television is limited by poor infrastructure. Lack of infrastructure & poor policy slow ICT adoption rates “We listen [to radio] in the morning when preparing to go to the farm” (Male respondent, Village 1) Focus Group Results 86 participants (37 male, 49 female) – all identified as smallholder farmers Differences in ownership rates of ICT equipment varies between villages and gender. Times and number of radio stations listened to, by both men and women, slightly varied between villages. Very few use mobile phones to access agriculture information or mobile banking. Conclusion Radio is cheapest form of ICT and also most widely adopted. Mobile phones are not used to access agriculture information which may be due to poor infrastructure, low literacy rates, and a lack of precedence Physical structures and geographies of each village may contribute to mobile phone and other television usage. Gendered difference in use and access to ICTs Comparison on radio stations and types of programs listened to by gender and village Radio Primary source of information for most farmers Highly relevant source of information Above: Girls outside Village 2 carrying farming supplies Theoretical Framework Authors We adopted the diffusion of innovations theory as a framework to discuss and analyze technology adoption by smallholder farmers in central Mozambique. Technology adoption maybe defined as “the choice to acquire and use a new invention or innovation” (Hall and Khan, 2002). Kathlee Freeman is a Masters student in Rural Sociology. Kathlee’s research focuses on the use of technology by smallholder farmers in East Africa. Fridah Mubichi is a PhD candidate in Rural Sociology. Fridah’s research focus is on social networks that facilitate smallholder farmers in rural Mozambique access to information & farm inputs. Reported mobile phone use by men and women across 8 focus groups in central Mozambique Mobile Phones Used for voice, text/SMS, and photos Source: Rogers, E. M. (2010:11). Diffusion of innovations Figure 1: Diffusion of Innovations categories Acknowledgements This study was made possible by the Soybean Innovation Lab- Univ. Missouri, IIAM- Mozambique and USAID.