Digital tool innovations for smallholder inclusion

Digital tools are widely claimed to be global disruptive forces in agriculture that benefit smallholder farmers. While these tools have led to positive outcomes across multiple dimensions, there is a risk of exacerbating social inequalities, particularly for marginalized groups such as women and less educated farmers. Despite existing frameworks for digital inclusivity, challenges persist in operationalizing these guidelines, especially in addressing socio-cultural barriers such as digital literacy and willingness to engage. Here we synthesize principles for inclusive digital tools in food systems and provide innovative examples on how each of the principles has been applied in practice. While many digital tools demonstrate progress in engaging diverse farmers and enhancing access, other principles such as the responsible use of data and technology are less frequently addressed. The uneven distribution of innovations highlights the challenges in operationalizing these principles comprehensively. We call for a more holistic approach to digital tool development, one that not only bridges the digital divide but also empowers smallholder farmers by addressing the socio-cultural and technical barriers that currently limit their full participation in digital agriculture.