ICTs and Small Holder Farming [Opinion]

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a vital role in the dissemination of information to farmers. ICT tools are also essential for harnessing and capturing local farmer knowledge. Innovative use of ICT tools recognizes the importance of two-way communication, and ICT can be used more efficiently to achieve the goals of agricultural extension. Beyond connectivity ICT offers security and mobility to owners, and requires that users have basic literacy. In addition to voice communication ICT tools allow for transfer of data, which can be used in context for applications and in agriculture. New ways of managing knowledge have emerged across developing countries beyond the traditional farmer-extension systems.