An introduction to rural and agricultural development in the digital age

This special issue contributes to the development economics literature by highlighting role of information communication and technologies (ICTs) in supporting rural agricultural development. It is comprised nine papers. Key findings from this include: (1) internet use increases consumption diversity productivity; (2) smartphone empowers women household decision-making off-farm work participation; (3) smartphone-based extension services boost income growth; (4) a lack ICT infrastructure inadequate skills digital are two key factors that lead poverty traps for smallholder farmers; (5) adoption probability households' access credit farm households relatively less developed regions credit; (6) financial inclusion reduces farmers' vulnerability poverty; (7) e-commerce both sales prices marketing costs, but magnitude increasing former higher than latter, which finally gross return. also proposes practical instruments implications advancing application ICTs areas accelerate age.