Connecting the fields: How ICT improve agricultural productivity in sub‐Saharan Africa

• Published date: 01 August 2024
• Author: Louis de Berquin Eyike Mbongo,Yannick Fosso Djoumessi
• Date: 01 August 2024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/rode.13084

REGULAR ARTICLE

Connecting the fields: How ICT improve

agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa

Louis de Berquin Eyike Mbongo | Yannick Fosso Djoumessi

Department of Economics, LAREA,

University of Dschang, Dschang,

Cameroon

Correspondence

Louis de Berquin Eyike Mbongo,

Department of Economics, LAREA,

University of Dschang, Dschang,

Cameroon.

Email: eyike76@gmail.com;louis.eyike@

univ-dschang.org

Abstract

This study seeks to conduct a comprehensive analysis

of the influence of information and communication

technology (ICT) on agricultural productivity in sub-

Saharan Africa (SSA), both through direct and indirect

mechanisms. Utilizing data gathered from a sample of

20 sub-Saharan African nations spanning the period

from 1995 to 2014, we employ a rigorous examination

through static and dynamic panel models. Our findings

robustly indicate a substantial and positive impact

stemming from the presence of mobile phones and

internet coverage on agricultural productivity in the

region. Furthermore, we uncover the indirect effects of

ICT, notably through its influence on farmers' educa-

tion levels and their access to essential agricultural

inputs, such as fertilizers. To validate the robustness of

our results, we additionally establish a positive and sta-

tistically significant association between an ICT adop-

tion index and agricultural productivity in SSA. In light

of these findings, we recommend the prioritization of

strategies aimed at fortifying the adoption of communi-

cation technologies within the agricultural sector. In

addition, efforts should be directed toward enhancing

farmers' education and improving access to fertilizers,

leveraging the potential of ICT tools as key enablers in

this process.

KEYWORDS

agricultural productivity, developing countries, ICT

Received: 11 August 2023 Revised: 2 December 2023 Accepted: 12 December 2023

DOI: 10.1111/rode.13084

888 © 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Rev Dev Econ. 2024;28:888–903.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/rode

JEL CLASSIFICATION

E23, O32, Q16

1|INTRODUCTION

In an era of rapid technological advancements, the intersection of information and communica-

tion technology (ICT) with traditional agricultural practices has emerged as a pivotal driver of

transformation across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This region, characterized by its agricultural

significance and evolving economic landscape, presents a unique canvas for examining the mul-

tifaceted influence of ICT on agricultural productivity. Beyond the direct contributions of digital

tools, such as mobile phones and internet connectivity, ICT's ripple effect extends to various

facets of the agricultural ecosystem, shaping education, access to resources, and, ultimately, the

prosperity of farming communities.

One of the biggest challenges confronting development today is the pervasive issue of mal-

nutrition and starvation (Cateia et al., 2023; Djoumessi, 2022). To illustrate, in 2012, the Food

and Agriculture Organization reported that more than 1 in 10 people worldwide were under-

nourished. In the context of SSA, this proportion soared to a staggering 27%. By 2017, the same

institution estimated that a staggering 793 million individuals were suffering from chronic hun-

ger globally. Addressing this crisis becomes an imperative task. One avenue worth exploring lies

in the agricultural sector, historically understood as a sphere of economic activity primarily

focused on generating income through the exploitation of various resources, including land

(cultivation), forests (forestry), aquatic environments (aquaculture and fishing), livestock, and

wildlife (hunting). In the context of African economies, the agricultural sector stands as a domi-

nant contributor to the overall GDP, accounting for approximately 30% of the total value gener-

ated in the region (Djoumessi, 2021b). Some pointed out that agriculture growth can enhance

economic growth in Africa (McKinsey, 2011; Cateia et al., 2023). However, it is essential to rec-

ognize that the role of the agricultural sector in the global economy varies significantly among

countries.

Nevertheless, compared to other regions, SSA grapples with persistently low agricultural

productivity (Coelli & Prasada Rao, 2005; Djoumessi et al., 2018; Djoumessi & Kamdem, 2022;

Gollin et al., 2014; Yu & Nin-Pratt, 2011). For instance, in 2015, the value added per agricultural

worker in this region amounted to a mere $1240, contrasting starkly with the more substantial

figure of over $7000 in Latin America. The problem of sluggish agricultural productivity growth

over the past decade remains particularly acute in SSA (Djoumessi et al., 2018,2020). The

underutilization of improved agricultural technologies, which has persisted at relatively low

levels since the postindependence period, stands as a significant factor contributing to the stag-

nation of agricultural yields. The economic literature identifies several key factors behind this

low agricultural productivity, including the limited level of agricultural education among

farmers, the underutilization of appropriate technologies (Aker, 2011; Sen & Choudhary, 2011),

inadequate infrastructure, and susceptibility to climate-related hazards.

One effective strategy for bolstering agricultural productivity in SSA involves the promotion

of digital and new technologies within the agricultural sector. According to statistics published

by the International Telecommunication Union (2020), approximately 20% of Africans were uti-

lizing the Internet, in contrast to the global average of 36%. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pan-

demic prompted a heightened reliance on telecommunication technologies across SSA,

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