by Niyati Singaraju, Shalini Gakhar
A study of rice farmers in India and Indonesia through the MDII framework revealed barriers and opportunities for the adoption and inclusiveness of agricultural digital tools like Rice Crop Manager, particularly for women and marginalized farmers.
In today’s digital age, farmers adopt innovative tools to make more informed decisions in agrifood systems. One such application is the Rice Crop Manager (RCM), a web-based platform developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and its partners. Launched in 2013, RCM offers field-specific crop and nutrient management recommendations, empowering farmers by helping boost yields and increase incomes.
In the Philippines, using RCM led to an average yield increase of at least 0.4 tons per hectare per crop, providing an additional net benefit of USD 100 per cropping season. In India, this impact was even more significant, with farmers achieving a yield increase of 0.5 tons per hectare, equating to an added net benefit of USD 150 per hectare per season. While these numbers demonstrate the tool’s potential, a key question remains: are its benefits reaching everyone, especially women and marginalized farmers?
To address this, we used the Multidimensional Digital Inclusiveness Index (MDII), a framework developed by CGIAR’s Digital Innovation Initiative, to evaluate the inclusiveness of RCM. The MDII framework examines barriers such as access, digital literacy, usability, and co-creation to identify ways to ensure that digital tools meet the diverse needs of all farmers.
We conducted evaluations in two distinct geographical contexts. First is in Odisha, India, where RCM has been operational since 2013; and second are in various regions in Indonesia, where an upgraded version of the tool, Layanan Konsultasi Padi (LKP) 2.0, is currently in the testing phase. These evaluations provided invaluable insights into the inclusivity challenges and opportunities associated with RCM.
Findings from Indonesia
In Indonesia, LKP 2.0 has already generated over 120,000 personalized recommendations for farmers by the end of 2024. In our sample survey of 40 respondents who have used the application, we found high smartphone ownership among farmers, with 90% of respondents owning a smartphone, creating a strong foundation for RCM adoption. However, significant barriers were identified. Connectivity emerged as a critical challenge, with 25% of rural farmers lacking reliable mobile internet access. This finding highlighted the pressing need for an offline version of RCM to ensure accessibility in areas with poor connectivity. The survey also exposed digital literacy gaps, especially among older and less-educated users. Younger farmers were more confident using digital tools, while older farmers often needed external support to navigate the platform. Regional disparities were another concern, with East Java respondents showing higher adoption readiness than those in Yogyakarta. Inclusivity issues were noted, as only 68% of respondents believed the tool was accessible to marginalized groups, with women farmers facing significant barriers.
Findings from Odisha, India
In Odisha, similar strengths and challenges emerged. While universal smartphone ownership among the sample of 133 RCM users emerged as a significant advantage, limited internet connectivity remained a concern, with only 25% reporting sufficient access. Training availability was also a major issue, with only 40% of respondents agreeing that training was accessible when needed. Gender disparities were starkly observed, with women facing more significant difficulties in using RCM compared to men. Only 13% of women reported ease of use, compared to 25% of men. Women were also less likely to participate in co-creation processes, limiting their engagement in providing feedback to improve the tool. Despite these challenges, the potential of RCM to empower farmers was clear, with 71% of respondents reporting better decision-making capabilities and 47% noting increased digital skills.
Analysis and Insights
The MDII framework played a pivotal role in identifying these barriers and opportunities, providing a roadmap for actionable solutions. It highlighted the need for targeted interventions to address connectivity challenges, such as developing an offline version of RCM to bridge the access gap in remote areas. Since a wealth of data, including farmers’ traditional practices, is recorded, this information can be effectively leveraged to enable site-specific, localized, and near-real-time decision-making. By integrating this contextual knowledge with advanced analytics, the system can generate highly tailored recommendations, ensuring that advisory services are timely and aligned with each farming community’s unique agronomic and cultural contexts. The framework also emphasized the importance of gender-responsive strategies, including training programs tailored to the needs of women farmers, localized content, and flexible training schedules. By involving women and marginalized groups in co-creation and feedback processes, RCM can become more inclusive and relevant to all users. Additionally, simplified user interfaces, video tutorials, and community-led training sessions can enhance the accessibility and usability of the tool for diverse audiences.
The findings from Indonesia and Odisha underscore the importance of inclusivity in digital agriculture. RCM’s next phase will integrate these insights to maximize its impact. Offline capabilities are prioritized to overcome connectivity barriers, ensuring uninterrupted access to recommendations. Redesigned training programs will cater to the needs of older farmers, women, and other underserved groups, using localized approaches and community engagement. Co-creation processes will be strengthened, giving farmers a more active role in shaping RCM’s development. Partnerships with local governments, telecom providers, and community organizations will address infrastructure gaps, improving connectivity and affordability in underserved regions.
RCM’s challenges and opportunities highlight the transformative potential of digital tools in agriculture while emphasizing the critical need for inclusivity to achieve equitable outcomes. By leveraging MDII insights, RCM aims to bridge gaps in access, literacy, and participation, ensuring that the tool evolves to meet the diverse needs of farmers across socioeconomic and regional contexts. The lessons from Indonesia and India (Odisha) will guide the development of actionable interventions, enabling RCM to empower farmers and improve livelihoods.
