Digital Platforms in Agribusiness: A Literature Review

Abstrak

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has significantly transformed the agribusiness sector, particularly through the emergence of digital platforms that facilitate interactions among multiple stakeholders across agricultural value chains. This study aims to review and synthesize the existing literature on the role of digital platforms in agribusiness, with a specific focus on business model transformation, value creation, and market access for smallholder farmers. The study employs a literature review (LR) approach using data collected from the Scopus database through a structured Boolean search query. A total of 14 relevant publications were identified and analyzed using a qualitative thematic approach. The findings indicate that digital platforms play a crucial role in transforming traditional agribusiness models into more networked, data-driven, and platform-based systems. These transformations enable new forms of coordination, reduce transaction costs, and foster innovation through multi-sided market interactions. In terms of value creation, digital platforms contribute not only to economic benefits such as increased income and efficiency but also to social and environmental outcomes, including financial inclusion and sustainable farming practices. Furthermore, digital platforms significantly improve market access for smallholder farmers by connecting them directly with buyers, enhancing price transparency, and reducing dependence on intermediaries. However, the review also highlights several persistent challenges, including limited digital infrastructure, low levels of digital literacy, affordability constraints, and issues related to trust and regulatory frameworks. These barriers hinder the inclusive adoption and scalability of digital platforms, particularly in developing countries. The study concludes that while digital platforms hold substantial potential to enhance agribusiness performance and inclusivity, their effectiveness depends on supportive ecosystems, including infrastructure development, capacity building, and appropriate policy interventions. This review contributes to the growing body of knowledge by providing an integrated perspective on how digital platforms influence agribusiness systems and identifies key areas for future research.