Does Using Digital Platforms Impact Irish Potato Productivity? The Case of Smallholder Farmers in Molo and Njoro Sub-Counties, Kenya

Abstract

This study examined the effects of using digital platforms, specifically Viazisoko and Mzizi apps, on Irish potato productivity among smallholder farmers in Molo and Njoro sub-counties, Kenya. A multistage sampling technique was used to sample 402 farmers. The Multinomial Endogenous Treatment Effect (METE) model was used for analysis. The model consists of two components: Treatment and Outcome models. The results from the treatment model revealed that factors that significantly influenced the likelihood of farmers being in one of the two treatment categories, “Know but non-user” or “Know and User” relative to the base category, “unaware of the platform” were sex, training, education, and need for production and marketing information. The outcome model revealed that both treatment categories had a higher potato productivity relative to the base category. Farmers in the “Know but Non-users” category had a 0.741 unit increase in productivity (p < 0.01), while farmers in the “Know and User” category had a 0.532 unit increase in productivity (p < 0.01). Based on the findings, the study suggests that the digital platform developers should prioritize extensive training and improve awareness campaigns in order to facilitate enhanced knowledge and usage of such digital platforms. These efforts will promote an increase in potato productivity among smallholder farmers.