Does use of ICT-based market information services (MIS) improve welfare of smallholder farm households: Evidence from Kenya

Abstract

The need to provide agricultural information to farmers has led to emergence of numerous ICT-based MIS projects in developing country. These projects aim at promoting commercialization of smallholder agriculture and subsequently their welfare. This study examines the welfare effects of one such project in western Kenya. It uses household food security and access to medical health services as proxies of welfare. The study finds that farmers that use ICT-based market information are more food secure and have better access to medical health services than their counterpart. It highlights policy implications of these findings.Smallholder farmers, market information service, mobile phones, well-being, Kenya, Food Security and Poverty, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, International Development, Marketing,