While mobile phone penetration in Tanzania has increased, many smallholder farmers still do not have access to reliable price updates due to issues such as digital illiteracy, poor network coverage in rural areas, and the high cost of some mobile-based services.The aim of the research was to assess how mobile phone usage enhances farmers’ access to price information and its effects on market behavior and income. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews with 300 smallholder farmers across three districts (Morogoro, Iringa, and Mbeya) to collect data on mobile phone usage, price information access, by using questionnaire and interviews which influence on market practices. The method of analysis used was a descriptive analysis where as the keyfindings indicate that 75% of farmers use mobile phones to access market prices, with 45% using these services daily. Moreover, 55% of respondents reported reducing their reliance on middlemen due to improved price transparency. The study also found that 85% of farmers considered the price information reliable, which positively impacted their bargaining power. The findings suggest that mobile phone usage plays a significant role in improving market efficiency, empowering farmers, and enhancing income stability. The study contributes to the growing body of research on mobile technology in agricultural markets and highlights its potential for rural development.

Keywords: Agro-business price statistics, Market access, Mobile phones, Rural development, Smallholder farmers