Mobile Mediators in Senegalese Fields: A Comparative Study of Agricultural Information Dissemination Strategies

In Senegal, agricultural information dissemination faces challenges such as limited access to formal channels like radio and television. A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys was employed to assess the impact of both mediums on farmer knowledge acquisition and adoption practices. Mobile-mediated dissemination showed a 25% higher success rate in reaching farmers compared to radio, with particular emphasis on younger and less educated demographics who predominantly use mobile phones for information. Mobile technology significantly enhances agricultural information dissemination efficiency and accessibility, particularly among vulnerable farmer segments. Investment should be directed towards expanding mobile services tailored to local needs, ensuring digital literacy programmes are implemented alongside technological interventions. Agricultural Information Dissemination, Mobile Technology, Senegal, Field Study Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin_{\theta}\sum_i\ell(y_i,f_\theta(x_i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert_2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.