Developing Tailored Knowledge Systems Based on Information Management Behavior in Small-Scale Farming

Small-scale farmers play a vital role in advancing agriculture, contributing significantly to food security, rural job creation, and local economic growth. However, they encounter various obstacles such as limited market access, erratic weather conditions, pest infestations, and volatile input costs that limit their productivity. Timely access to accurate information can help these farmers make better decisions, manage risks more effectively, and enhance both yield and income. As a result, there is increasing interest in developing information systems tailored to farmers’ needs, grounded in an understanding of their Information Management Behaviour (IMB). These systems have the potential to close the information gap and drive sustainable agricultural progress. This article defines IMB, examines the information requirements of small-scale farmers, reviews the current systems designed to address these needs, analyses why many fall short, and offers recommendations for improvement.