#ICT4Scale stakeholder meeting
The presentation reviews dimensions of scaling up projects, including case studies, methodologies and participatory approaches, with a special focus on Farm Radio. Feedback to the Farm Radio programming happens through Smart Messaging Services (SMS) and What’s App. Commentary becomes added content for further programming. Gender issues were taken seriously so that women farmers had a platform for their concerns and feedback. Promotion and demonstration are necessary for the uptake of ICT platforms, especially for female farmers.
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Use of ICT’s to increase uptake of agricultural technologies among Malawian farmers
The presentation reviews dimensions of scaling up projects assisted by Farm Radio International. The Mlimi Hotline is a toll-free line that allows farmers and extension workers to obtain expert agricultural assistance for different value chains. Agro dealers in the GIS database pay a subscription fee to have access to a larger customer base as well as insight into demand, so as to improve their inventory and increase sales. Farmers pay a small fee for push SMS and call backs from the Mlimi Hotline that provide them with agro dealer inventory and hours of operation.
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ICT4Scale in smallholder agriculture : contributions and challenges
This article presents the main findings from a study of 15 agricultural development projects that employed a diversity of information and communications technology (ICT) tools. Interactivity in the use of ICT tools and platforms between project teams and beneficiaries are helpful for improving the quality of agricultural extension services and for teaching farmers to better manage predicted agricultural risks. Overall, the study finds that interactive ICT tools can help smallholder farmers better manage risks in the agriculture sector. Lasting and meaningful change requires a thorough understanding of specific smallholder agricultural system dynamics.
Autor(es) : Shilomboleni, Helena, Pelletier, Bernard, Gebru, Berhane
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ICT4Scale initiative : harnessing ICT to scale-up agricultural solutions
This one-page policy brief provides a detailed outline of intervention research and scaling up of a soybean inoculant, using ICT technologies and platforms. The project aims at assessing the effect of a specific combination of ICT interventions and institutional arrangements regarding the number of smallholder farmers who are uptaking the application of a soybean inoculant.
Autor(es) : Pelletier, Bernard, Gebru, Berhane, Mloza-Banda, Catherine, Khaila, Stanley, Vilili, George, Leclair, Mark, Chapota, Rex
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Farm Radio Trust to assess ICT agriculture impact
Farm Radio Trust (FRT) will carry out a three-year research study starting in 2018 to find out how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) impacts on agricultural productivity in Malawi. Alongside providing evidence about the effects of ICT on agricultural development in Malawi, the research aims to provide quicker ways of relaying messages to farmers, such as through cell phone technology. Findings of this study will feed ongoing development of a National Agriculture Extension Strategy. The article reviews the purposes of the study.
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Harnessing ICT to scale-up agricultural solutions : briefing note
The project aims at developing, testing and sharing a conceptual framework for implementing and assessing gender-responsive information and communication technology (ICT4scale), for scaling agricultural solutions in rural regions. Farm Radio Trust (FRT) leads in the field of information, communication, extension and advisory services with a growing reputation in program and policy development across sub-Saharan Africa. Members of FRT may be engaged in case study and intervention research work throughout the project based on their relevance to the research topic and their geographic focus. The project will examine the role and contribution of ICT in enabling scaling-up of agricultural solutions.
Autor(es) : Leclaire, Mark
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Harnessing ICTs to scale-up agricultural innovations (ICT4Scale) : case study report
This report provides the outcomes of a case study that involved projects in Uganda, Ghana, Malawi and Ethiopia. The purpose was to examine the roles of ICTs and the institutional arrangements needed for the effective use of ICTs in support of scaling up innovations. Overall, the wider project examined the roles and contributions of ICT in scaling agricultural solutions for food, nutrition and income security, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. It focused on the role and contributions of ICT as an enabler to building awareness of agricultural improvements, and the skills, knowledge and contacts to apply them.
Autor(es) : Gebru, Berhane, Vilili, George, Pelletier, Bernard
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Harnessing ICT to scale up agricultural solutions intervention research : an assessment of ICT strategies that are most effective and efficient in scaling agricultural solutions in Malawi
By examining current and past applications of ICT for scale, this project aims to develop a gender-responsive framework, and to improve consideration of organizational and operational scaling up factors. Gaps exists in current research regarding scale and the potential for ICT applications. Scaling up interventions will include the use of rhizobium inoculant, a fertilizer that ensures bacteria of the correct type is present in the soil for soybean plantings, which are widely grown in the intervention sites. A survey in advance of the intervention revealed 60% of respondents need information on where to obtain the inoculant
Autor(es) : Farm Radio International, Farm Radio Trust
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ICT4Scale : Harnessing ICT to scale-up agricultural solutions
This project aims to contribute to the overall challenge of scaling agricultural solutions in rural developing regions, specifically in sub-Saharan Africa through a study focused on the role and contributions of ICT. The main research outcome will be a conceptual framework and working models for the implementation of gender-responsive ICT4Scale. Farm Radio Trust (FRT) is an indigenous non-governmental organization (NGO) whose main goal is to promote ICT-based extension and advisory services in Malawi.
Autor(es) : Farm Radio Trust, Farm Radio International
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Harnessing ICT to scale up agricultural solutions - intervention research : an assessment of ICT strategies that are most effective and efficient in scaling agricultural solutions in Malawi
ICTs have the potential to accelerate scaling of application and potential adoption of agricultural innovations. The report details a Participatory Radio Campaign promoting soybean inoculant. The main sources of inoculant messages in order of dominance were radio, extension workers and SMS push platforms. The ICTs used in the intervention worked best in combination; for instance, radio programming that complemented call center feedback by using it as content. The intervention program using rhizobium inoculant fertilizer had an impact on soybean yield: there was a 103% and 86% increase in soybean yield among listeners and non-listeners of the radio program respectively.
Autor(es) : Farm Radio International, Farm Radio Trust
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Gender-responsive approach to harnessing ICTs to scale-up agricultural innovations
The presentation covers information on how the scaling up process is enhanced through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), such as through the use of cell phones. In particular it focuses on women’s lack of access to ICTs. The Farm Radio International (FRI) program “Her Voice on Air” provides women with information and skills training through community listening groups. The FRI programme helps women overcome fears of engaging with technologies that can help them to improve farming practices and other development challenges. The program demonstrates that women indeed have a voice, but for scaling up capacity – a platform for discussion is necessary.
Autor(es) : Pelletier, Bernard
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ICT4Scale major presentations
Use of ICTs can enhance agricultural extension by reaching farmers, facilitating their participation and improving innovation adoption. Use of multiple ICT-based communication channels expands their reach. This detailed annex presents challenges and barriers in implementation of scaling up projects, including: poor supply chain to support promoted practices; poor infrastructure; smallholder farmers’ (especially women) limited access to technology. It reviews intervention research projects such as the soybean inoculant programme which employed participatory radio; social media, call centres and SMS messaging; and a gender inclusive agricultural extension strategy. Scaling means expanding, replicating, adapting and sustaining successful policies, programs or projects to reach more of the rural poor.
Autor(es) : Farm Radio International
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Harnessing ICTs to scale-up agricultural innovations
The study analyzes how ICT can be integrated into agricultural and rural development projects for solutions at scale. Field intervention research was conducted to test the ICT components of an initiative to scale the uptake of soybean inoculants using interactive radio, text messages, WhatsApp groups, and a call centre. Household and telephone surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and gender analysis help assess the effectiveness of the interventions. Building on the study findings, a gender-responsive ICT4Scale conceptual framework was developed to guide the use of ICTs in scaling initiatives. Farm Radio Trust in collaboration with Farm Radio International implemented the research project.
Autor(es) : Leclair, Mark, Kanyenda, Eluby
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Analytical work to develop a gender responsive conceptual framework and guidelines for the efficient use of ICTs in scaling-up initiative
There are challenges in the uptake of innovative ICTs, particularly among rural women. Thus, scaling up ICTs in agriculture can exacerbate existing gender inequalities and poverty. The project mainly focuses on the intervention research component of the project and review of the current ICT platforms used to provide extension services. Women’s agency was limited as most women could not make decisions on the use of revenue from soybean crops, which affected their decision to purchase ICTs. One of the major outcomes of the study is the gender-responsive framework and guidelines for the efficient use of ICTs in scaling-up initiatives.
Autor(es) : Maulidi, Felix, Kasiya, Sekanawo
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