The use of information and communication technology (ICT) platforms in agricultural extension services: views of smallholder farmers in northwestern Ethiopia

This study examines smallholder farmers’ use of information and communication technology (ICT) platforms for agricultural extension services through qualitative and quantitative methods. Findings show ICT-based services are underutilised, with radio remaining the primary medium for gender awareness, agricultural communication, and rural advisory support.Eleven key challenges were identified. These challenges, ranked by their impact, include inadequate ICT infrastructure and power supply, low income, farmers’ characteristics and their effects, limited hotline awareness, complex interactive voice response (IVR) procedures, message comprehension difficulties, digital illiteracy and low motivation, weak stakeholder coordination, limited commitment, poor governance, and political instability and conflict. Farmers attributed 46 per cent of these challenges to the government, 27 per cent to themselves, 18 per cent to other stakeholders, and 9 per cent to extension workers.The study recommends expanding radio programs, integrating an intersectional approach to gender, and adopting a hybrid ICT–local agent model to enhance knowledge delivery to smallholder farmers in developing countries.