Infrastructure and Market Factors Influencing Implementation of Agri E-Commerce Platforms among Smallholder Potato Farmers in Kenya (Published)
The implementation of Agri e-commerce platforms among smallholder potato farmers is increasingly recognised as a pathway to improving market efficiency, transparency, and better farmer incomes. However, adoption in rural settings remains constrained by critical infrastructure and market-related factors. This study examined the influence of these factors on the uptake of Agri e-commerce among potato farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. Using a mixed methods research design, the study targeted smallholder farmers, Farmer association representatives and ICT county official. Data was collected from 162 farmers, 10 FA representatives and 2ICT officials from the county through structured questionnaires supported by qualitative insights from focus group discussions and key informant interviews respectively. Findings revealed that infrastructural limitations, particularly inadequate internet connectivity, low smartphone ownership, and limited digital literacy significantly hinder farmers’ ability to engage with e-commerce platforms. Market factors also severely reduced participation; high transportation costs (40.37%), excessive dependence on brokers (32.92%), poor market structures (21.12%), and lack of storage facilities (5.59%) created substantial barriers to market engagement by the farmers. Chi-square test through a Tobit regression analysis further indicated a significant association between farmers’ main source of income and the challenges they experience (χ² = 25.577, p < 0.001), as well as between marketing challenges and main buyers (χ² = 21.574, p < 0.001). Qualitative findings reinforced these results, highlighting persistent market inefficiencies, power imbalances caused by broker dominance, and the economic burden of logistics as key deterrents to digital market participation. The study concludes that effective implementation of Agri e-commerce requires parallel investments in rural digital infrastructure, affordable access to smart devices, and value-chain improvements that reduce transaction costs enhancing the farmers’ bargaining power. Strengthening market systems and addressing structural constraints remain critical for realising the transformative potential of Agri e-commerce among smallholder farmers in potato production.
Keywords: Agri e-commerce, Infrastructure, Kenya, Market Access, Smallholder Farmers, market constraints