Information and communication technologies in rural extension in Mozambique: main challenges and possible paths for transition in the use of digital resources

Abstract

The digitalization of the multiple processes involving the rural extension service, that has been occurring over the last three decades, has allowed greater reach, agility, and flexibility in communication and sharing of information between extension agents and farming families. However, there is a considerable lack of evidence of the development of this practice in the Mozambican reality. The objective of this article was to examine the challenges of using digital information and communication
technologies (DITs) in rural extension, in Mozambique. In
order to achieve this objective, we used a bibliographical
search for publications, available in the Google Scholar
database, that address the aforementioned subject in
Mozambique. The following keywords were used in the
search engine: TDIC; rural extension; Agriculture 4.0;
fourth generation of agriculture; and digitalization in rural
extension. The results indicate that Mozambique faces
several challenges that make it difficult the use of TDIC,
as a communication tool between extension agents and
family farmers, in rural extension services. Therefore,
the expansion of mobile telephony, radio, and television
infrastructure, as well as financing lines for people in the
countryside to purchase cell phones, tablets, and other
electronic devices, is necessary to expand the possibilities
of using TDIC, to reach a greater number of family farmers residing in rural areas.