Abstract:
The agricultural sector remains a cornerstone of Rwanda’s economy, with potatoes being a key
crop in Musanze District. To enhance agricultural market efficiency, the E-Soko system was
introduced to provide farmers with real-time market information. This study aimed to assess the
usability of the E-Soko system and evaluate its impact on potato price transparency in Musanze
District. A qualitative approach method was adopted, from surveys with 50 respondents and
insights from interviews with different key stakeholders including, Farmers, system developers,
Minagri, buyers, among others. The study focused on examining how farmers interact with the E
Soko platform, the extent to which it influences their access to price information, and how it affects
their market negotiations. The System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Technology Acceptance
Model (TAM) were used to evaluate the usability factors. Contrary to expectations, the findings
revealed that many farmers experience difficulties using the E-Soko system. Among 20
respondents, 75% reported challenges with system complexity, 65% lacked smartphone access,
and 60% cited poor internet connectivity. Furthermore, 85% indicated they had never received
training on how to use the platform. As a result, 90% of respondents still rely on middlemen for
market information and price negotiations. Only a few farmers occasionally accessed potato price
updates via the platform.
Challenge Number of Mentions % of Respondents (N=20)
E-Soko is difficult to use 15 75%
Poor internet connectivity 12 60%
No access to smartphones 13 65%
Lack of training 17 85%
Still rely on middlemen 18 90%
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The study concludes by recommending extensive farmer education programs, simplification of the
E-Soko interface, the introduction of offline or SMS-based services, and improved infrastructural
support to enhance system accessibility and effectiveness. Strengthening the usability and adoption
of digital platforms like E-Soko remains critical to achieving greater agricultural price
transparency and empowering farmers in Rwanda
