Digital tools are transforming agriculture, but many projects fail because they are designed around technology instead of the real needs of farmers.
In a 2022 study by Steinke et al., researchers explored how ICT4Ag (Information and Communication Technologies for Agriculture) - such as agricultural apps, climate information systems, or digital advisory tools - can become more useful when farmers and local stakeholders actively participate in the design process.
Based on case studies from Africa and Latin America, the study discusses key challenges in developing digital agricultural solutions, including weak infrastructure, top-down decision making, scaling difficulties, and mismatched expectations between donors, researchers, and users. The research highlights the importance of participatory and inclusive design, where technologies are adapted to local realities instead of assuming one solution works everywhere.
The main message is simple: successful digital innovation in agriculture is not only about technology, but about understanding people, context, and real user needs.
In future posts, I will share more about a project I am participating in on a small island in northern Madagascar, where participatory environmental and agricultural monitoring is being developed together with the local community to support crop resilience and climate adaptation strategies.
Source: Steinke, J. et al. (2022). Participatory design of digital innovation in agricultural research-for-development: insights from practice. Agricultural Systems, 195, 103313.