Is the right going wrong? Analysing digital platformization, data extractivism and surveillance practices in smallholder farming in Ghana

Rebecca Sarku & Matthew Ayamga

Information Technology for Development2025https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2024.2447596article
AJG 2ABDC A
Weight
0.56

Abstract

The development of digital platforms is seen as a tool to promote inclusion and foster collective action, particularly for smallholder farmers in the Global South. However, the rise of platformization has given large organizations control over these platforms, raising concerns about whether digital innovations are truly benefiting smallholder farmers. This study examines digital platform practices in Ghana’s smallholder farming sector, drawing on concepts such as datafication and surveillance capitalism. Evidence suggests that digital platform operators have gained more from these technologies than the farmers they aim to support. Numerous digital technologies–enabled by donor projects, accelerators, and startups–collect extensive data from farmers through GPS, drones, surveys, and mobile apps. These practices risk creating new forms of extractivism and surveillance. The study provides policy recommendations and outlines future research directions to address these challenges.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2024.2447596

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@article{rebecca2025,
  title        = {{Is the right going wrong? Analysing digital platformization, data extractivism and surveillance practices in smallholder farming in Ghana}},
  author       = {Rebecca Sarku & Matthew Ayamga},
  journal      = {Information Technology for Development},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2024.2447596},
}

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Evidence weight

0.56

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.55 × 0.4 = 0.22
M · momentum0.75 × 0.15 = 0.11
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.