The role of information and communication technologies in enhancing farmers' access to extension services: evidence from Ingquza Hill Local Municipality

Abstract

Background: Access to timely and reliable agricultural information remains a major challenge for smallholder farmers in South Africa's rural municipalities. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have emerged as transformative tools to enhance communication, knowledge sharing, and service delivery in agricultural extension systems. This study investigates how ICTs improve smallholder farmers' access to extension services in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. Methods: A descriptive survey design was employed. Data were collected from 104 smallholder farmers using a structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. Respondents were selected through a combination of convenience and random sampling to ensure diversity and representativeness. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, to describe patterns of ICT access, utilization, and constraints. Results: The majority of respondents (64.7%) were women, with 20.2% aged between 26 and 30 years. ICT adoption for agricultural purposes was widespread (75%), and 65.5% of farmers relied primarily on mobile phones to access extension information. WhatsApp (44.1%) and Facebook (44.1%) were identified as the most commonly used digital platforms for obtaining agricultural advice. However, persistent barriers such as poor internet connectivity (39.4%), high data costs (38.5%), and limited digital literacy (18.3%) constrained optimal utilization of ICT-based extension services. Discussion and conclusion: The findings demonstrate that ICTs particularly mobile and social media platforms play a pivotal role in bridging information gaps and improving smallholder farmers' access to agricultural extension services. The study concludes that digital tools have become essential for promoting inclusivity and efficiency in agricultural communication systems. To enhance the effectiveness of ICT-based extension services, the study recommends targeted investments in rural ICT infrastructure, digital literacy training, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to promote sustainable, digitally enabled agricultural transformation in Ingquza Hill Local Municipality.