Strategy for the adoption and effective utilization of mobile phone technologies in smallholder agriculture in Zimbabwe: Paper presented at 6th International Conference on M4D Mobile Communication Technology for Development M4D held at Kampala, Uganda, Makerere University Kampala Uganda from the 15h -16th November 2018

Abstract

There is a growth in research on the benefits and use of mobile phone technology in the whole world. Zimbabwe as a country has seen that this is a feasible route to explore. This paper explores how other countries are using this technology to improve agriculture yields. It analyses factors that are hindering mobile phone technology use and adoption among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. The paper employed qualitative research design, guided by inductive approach underpinned by interpretivism philosophy. Findings from the gathered data showed that smallholder farmers are willing to make use of mobile phone technologies in their farming context. The cost of gathering data, lack of training and poor infrastructure was seen as the main hindrances to adopting mobile technology in agriculture. The paper then designs a strategy that can be used for mobile technology adoption and effective utilization by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. Recommendations such as farmer training, government involvement and infrastructure development in rural areas were suggested. This research adds to the existing body of literature since there was no known research in Zimbabwe which focused on developing a mobile phone strategy for smallholder farmers.