Towards a framework for the adoption of a digital value chain for emerging small-scale farmers in South Africa

Abstract

Small-scale farmers experience significant institutional and governance challenges when applying digital technology. This is affected by a variety of political, social and economic factors. It is critical to comprehend why some actors in digital agricultural value chains (AVCs) profit more than others and how this trend manifests itself locally. The study conducted a literature review on Digital for Development (D4D) in small-scale farmers, identifying gaps in knowledge, generating new ideas, avoiding duplication, and justifying the relevance of the research. The objective is to address asymmetric knowledge communication and enhance the equal distribution of power and economic wealth in the digital AVC. To analyse how small-scale farmers use digital technology, theories from many different fields were merged using the Transformative Emancipatory Paradigm (TEP). This study proposes a framework for the adoption of a digital value chain for small-scale farmers. This study suggests a framework for the creation of organisations like District Agro-Food Sustainable Knowledge Hubs (DASKHs) and Provincial Agriculture Digital Innovation Hubs (PADIHs). Small-scale farmers are encouraged by the framework to adopt digital technology in their AVCs.