How can digital information services be improved to benefit smallholders and agrifood SMEs?

CGIAR’s Rethinking Food Markets Initiative, is undertaking studies in Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Central America to explore types of innovations to lower the barriers of smallholders and SMEs in participating in lucrative and sustainable Global Value Chains and vertically coordinated arrangements with processors/exporters. 

The central question to explore is how can digital information services be improved to benefit smallholders and agrifood SMEs?

Background for discussion: 

The use of digital platforms to provide information on weather, production methods, environmental impacts, inputs, prices, and quality requirements, is particularly important for export commodities, which are often specialized, high-quality foods. The added value of information on high-value foods likely outweighs the cost of establishing the information system. Unfortunately, smallholders and SMEs face enormous obstacles in accessing such services.