What is it about?
Poor drying and storage of maize lead to spoilage, food loss, unsafe aflatoxin-contaminated grain, and reduced income for farmers, worsening hunger and harming rural livelihoods. This study examined how agricultural extension officers in rural Uganda deliver maize postharvest handling information, with a unique focus on how digital, evidence-based information practices, rather than traditional extension methods shape the quality and usefulness of advice farmers receive. Using a mixed-methods approach with data from farmers, extension officers, and information officers, the study found that officers commonly asked about farmers’ needs, gathered information, checked its quality, and applied it in their guidance, though they did less work in organizing information and evaluating its impact. The results revealed a strong relationship between using evidence-based information and better farmer practices, but no link between asking farmers’ needs and their actual behaviors. It also identified gaps such as outdated information sources, limited skills, and weak ICT tools. This study assess how digital evidence-based information practices directly influence postharvest outcomes in rural African contexts, making it valuable for readers interested in digital agriculture, extension innovation, and food security. It recommends updating information sources and offering continuous training for extension officers in evidence-based practices, maize postharvest management, and ICT use.
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Why is it important?
This study is particularly unique because it is one of the few to assess how digital evidence-based information practices directly influence postharvest outcomes in rural African contexts, making it valuable for readers interested in digital agriculture, extension innovation, and food security. It recommends updating information sources and offering continuous training for extension officers in evidence-based practices, maize postharvest management, and ICT use.
Perspectives
crafting this article gave me a deep understanding of what it takes to share information on a topic of interest to the public. At first I thought it was not of interest as a topic. However when colleagues in the profession and others read it and gave me positive feedback, I realised this article is contributing in various professions. It highlights how to apply evidence based information practices which is a multidisciplinary concept and needed on all field of study for effective decision making. Therefore, this article is suitable for everyone.
Jackline Estomihi Mayende KIWELU
Aga Khan University Tanzania
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Enhancing food security sustainability through digital information extension services in rural Uganda: Maize postharvest evidence-based strategies, PLOS One, November 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0336105.
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