Assessing the determinants and effects of ICT use on maize productivity among peasant farmers in Western Kenya

Modern agriculture requires timely access to agricultural information among maize farmers. This is propelled by use of information communication and technology devices. However, ICT devices’ adoption in maize production is still worrying as many farmers are still used to the traditional production methods. This study assessed the determinants and effects of ICT use on maize productivity in Homabay County, located in Western Kenya using primary data collected through random sampling from 402 farmers. The data was collected in July 2025 from farmers in Ndhiwa, Suba North and Homa Bay sub-counties. Propensity score matching was used to analyze the determinants of ICT use and its effects on maize productivity. The results showed that radio & television and smart phones were used by majority of the farmers while laptops and tables were used by few farmers. They used ICT devices to communicate with peer farmers and extension agents, access input and output markets, weather information, government services and new agricultural technologies. The econometric results demonstrated that ICT use is positively influenced by extension, non-farm income, education, gender, land size and crop-diversity and negative influenced by market distance. Moreover, the propensity score matching results from PSM ATT indicated that ICT use is positively associated with maize productivity. It increases maize productivity by 550 kg/acre (neighborhood matching), 593 kg/acre (Kernel matching) and 761 kg/acre (Radius matching). The study recommended offering trainings and demonstrations on ICT use to farmers and educating them on the roles of ICT in improving farm productivity. The extension personnel should encourage farmers to embrace ICT in their farms. Public sensitization on the benefits of ICT use in agriculture should also be promoted as it increases the adoption of ICT among the farmers.