Juxtaposing supply- and demand-side drivers and barriers of technology adoption at the Base of the Pyramid markets in Uganda

Adoption and usage of technology potentially reduces poverty. Demand- and supply-side drivers and barriers affect adoption and usage, consequently hindering potential benefits. This study sought to investigate demand- and supply-side drivers and barriers to adoption of technology using two cases from Uganda. A constructivist enquiry was adopted and applied to compare how farmers of the Bugiri Agribusiness Institutions Development Association (BAIDA) and the Zirobwe Agali Awamu Agribusiness Training Association (ZAABTA) adopt and use EzyAgric, a mobile and web-based application for linking farmers to farm inputs and services. The study also draws insights on supply- and demand-side drivers and barriers that hinder the poor from adopting and using technology. Findings revealed noteworthy differences and similarities in demand- and supply-side drivers of technology adoption. Findings also revealed that linkages to the markets of outputs or farm products are necessary to drive adoption and usage of the platform. The study provides recommendations for stakeholders to implement or consider in order to enable Base of the Pyramid (BOP) countries to overcome barriers to technology adoption, thereby improving their livelihood.