Digital technologies in agricultural knowledge management and innovation systems at the rural household level in Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Digital technologies hold considerable potential to enhance agricultural knowledge management and innovation. Despite this, adoption among smallholder farmers in rural Ethiopia remains limited. This study investigates the adoption and use of digital technologies and their role in strengthening agricultural knowledge sharing and innovation systems. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collected from 601 households across 14 kebeles in seven districts between December 2023 and March 2024. Adoption patterns were analysed using binary and multivariate probit models. The findings reveal that the use of digital tools, including mobile phones, SMS, interactive voice response (IVR), and internet-based platforms such asTelegram, YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp, is influenced by demographic, institutional, infrastructural, and knowledge-related factors. Male-headed households, higher educational attainment, smaller family size, proximity to markets and universities, participation in Farmers’ Field Schools, access to credit and electricity, cooperative membership, and stronger digital knowledge significantly increase adoption likelihood. Adoption rates vary by technology, with mobile phones (56.40%) and radio (32.10%) being the most widely used, followed by IVR (22.70%) and SMS (22.50%). More advanced digital tools show limited uptake, including internet platforms (8.99%), video-based extension (6.49%), and market information services (11%). Overall, rural digitalization in Ethiopia remains at an early stage. Strengthening digital infrastructure, farmer education, extension services, and cooperative networks is essential to enhance knowledge management, stimulate innovation, and promote inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.