Catalytic mechanisms for promoting ICT investment and use in cassava value chains in south-western Nigeria

Abstract

The transformation of African agriculture with modern technologies, including information and communication technology (ICT) has been proposed as the required strategy for improving agricultural and rural economies of African countries. In this direction, this study investigated the catalysts and impact of ICT investment, ownership and use in the cassava value chain in south-western Nigeria. The study used in-depth structured interviews to collect data from 139 cassava growers, processors and marketers. Snowball and random sampling were used to select the respondents. A model was articulated to capture the catalytic and transmission processes in ICT investment and use in the cassava value chain. It predicts that in value chains dominated by small and medium enterprises (SME), ICT investments are unlikely to progress beyond basic low-end ICT unless there is expanded market demand for output of the SME. The model highlights key process points that policy may target in order to improve the use of ICT by SME to leverage their value chain activities.