Pro-poor value chains for small scale farming innovation

The success of small-scale farmers in pro-poor value chains is constrained by aspects related to government policies, research and training, community issues, and the quality of existing ICT tools. This article discusses effective strategies to increase the access and adoption of ICTs by small-scale farmers. Based on a literature review and expert opinion survey, it identified and assessed the key factors that will facilitate increased ICT access and adoption. It is necessary to invest in appropriate development of ICTs for rural small-scale farmer development, to customize farming ICTs to be user friendly, and to conduct research on the use of simpler but more appropriate technologies to facilitate ICT adoption and use for value chain development.