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<p>Smallholders in the drylands of Somaliland face persistent constraints in accessing timely and reliable information for production and market decisions. Drawing on information asymmetry theory, this study examines how information and communication technologies relate to these constraints using cross-sectional data from 154 farming households. The results reveal a gap between ICT ownership and agricultural application. Although mobile phones (47.4%) and radios (42.2%) were widely owned, only 36.8% of mobile phone owners reported using them for farming. Key constraints included poor network connectivity (40.3%) and limited digital skills (32.5%), which restrict the effective use of available technologies. Regression analysis shows no statistically robust associations between ICT use and perceived productivity outcomes. In contrast, radio use is significantly associated with perceived income improvement (<i>p</i> = 0.03), with users having 2.34 times higher odds of reporting gains. Collectively, the results indicate that ICT effects are uneven and vary across decision domains, with radio more closely linked to market-related outcomes, whereas other tools show limited observable effects under prevailing constraints. Such evidence suggests that information asymmetries persist not only due to limited access but also due to constraints in effective use. Policy responses should therefore move beyond access expansion toward targeted interventions that strengthen digital capabilities, improve rural connectivity, and enhance the relevance of information. By distinguishing between ICT access and application and comparing multiple tools, the study provides context-specific evidence that ICT–outcome relationships are neither linear nor uniform. Further research using objective measures and longitudinal designs is needed to assess causal pathways.</p>

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Differential effects of ICTs use on farmers’ perceived productivity and income in dryland Somaliland

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月28日

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  • Wycliffe Ongachi,
  • Ivy Belinder,
  • Bilal Ahmad Bhat,
  • Shijaatt Hussain Bhat,
  • Rajvik Dub,
  • Sumaya Jan

摘要

Smallholders in the drylands of Somaliland face persistent constraints in accessing timely and reliable information for production and market decisions. Drawing on information asymmetry theory, this study examines how information and communication technologies relate to these constraints using cross-sectional data from 154 farming households. The results reveal a gap between ICT ownership and agricultural application. Although mobile phones (47.4%) and radios (42.2%) were widely owned, only 36.8% of mobile phone owners reported using them for farming. Key constraints included poor network connectivity (40.3%) and limited digital skills (32.5%), which restrict the effective use of available technologies. Regression analysis shows no statistically robust associations between ICT use and perceived productivity outcomes. In contrast, radio use is significantly associated with perceived income improvement (p = 0.03), with users having 2.34 times higher odds of reporting gains. Collectively, the results indicate that ICT effects are uneven and vary across decision domains, with radio more closely linked to market-related outcomes, whereas other tools show limited observable effects under prevailing constraints. Such evidence suggests that information asymmetries persist not only due to limited access but also due to constraints in effective use. Policy responses should therefore move beyond access expansion toward targeted interventions that strengthen digital capabilities, improve rural connectivity, and enhance the relevance of information. By distinguishing between ICT access and application and comparing multiple tools, the study provides context-specific evidence that ICT–outcome relationships are neither linear nor uniform. Further research using objective measures and longitudinal designs is needed to assess causal pathways.