Tanzania’s smallholder farmers struggle to benefit from digital agriculture
Summary
Tanzania’s digital agriculture services have reached millions of registered users, but some smallholder farmers say they lack the training or devices to use them, and replies can arrive too late. A government programme running from September 2024 to August 2027 aims to improve agricultural data systems and digital skills, though available figures do not show how many farmers actively use the services or benefit from them.Key Facts
- M-Kilimo provides market information and farming advice, lets farmers advertise produce, and connects them with agricultural extension workers.
- The e-Kilimo platform brings government agricultural services together through a website and smartphone app.
- Farmer Theresia Abel Nyoka said she had not registered for either service because she had not received information about their benefits.
- Farmer Jeremiah Luwe said replies to questions on M-Kilimo can take up to two weeks.
- A 2024 study reported about 7.2 million farmers registered on M-Kilimo and 75,623 advisory consultations, of which 73,839 received replies.
- The study documented about 400,000 incomplete registrations and challenges with digital literacy and access to the USSD service for basic phones.
- A $3.62 million government programme aims to improve digital literacy for 500,000 farmers and train 500 extension workers by August 2027.
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