![]() Learn more about this project and its outcomes.With funding from Global Affairs Canada, we will bring improved interactive radio services to Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali and Senegal, reaching more than 7 million small-scale farmers to improve food security and gender equality. ![]() The Canadian International Food Security Research Fund is jointly funded by IDRC and Global Affairs Canada. Expanding the reach of the AgroTech model will require a greater focus on strengthening market access for farmers, providing farmers more flexibility in paying AgroTech agents, and further studies on the effects of information and communication technology-enabled extension services on crop yield and profitability. ![]() More work is needed to make the SmartEx model more gender responsive (such as linking gender roles and responsibilities along the value chain). ![]() Next steps include transferring the technology platform to a private operator and supporting the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in promoting the use of information and communication technology-enabled extension and advisory services such as AgroTech. However, the government of Ghana has now created a national register of private extension service providers as a first step toward expanding private-sector services. Until now, farm advisory services and information for smallholder food crop farmers have been largely government-funded and unable to meet farmer demand. “We need similar solutions like AgroTech that provide well-managed farmer and farm data and insights into the nature of farmers’ challenges and their solutions,” said John Abaka-Quansah, a senior agriculture officer. Of these farmers, 174,821 have adopted improved technologies or management practices, including in maize production, which increased by 229.9% among participating farmers.įour policy papers were provided to the government of Ghana with recommendations for transforming the country’s agricultural extension advisory into a modern, business-oriented, demand-driven, and accountable business service provider led by the private sector. Overall, more than 500,000 farmers (34.8% women) were reached with the AgroTech advisory platform. “They didn’t know about drought resistant varieties, but now they are trying to adopt them and most of them are keeping their records well.” In addition to replacing manual recordkeeping with electronic farm records on tablets, the app also offers support for measuring the farm using GPS using appropriate fertilizers and improved seed and improving harvesting and storing techniques. “Before I started working with the farmers, most of them weren’t keeping records,” said field agent Rachel Derchie. With this technology, farmers are able to adopt new skills and knowledge to maximize yield and produce quality rice and maize. The SmartEx app enabled field agents to quickly understand and analyze farmers’ needs and crop history, create customized farm management plans, deliver agricultural advice, and help farmers procure loans. The model includes a greater role for the private sector, including information and communications technology-equipped field agents who source produce for large agribusinesses and provide customized services such as personal loans and “quick access, no collateral” credit services. Digital platforms - notably mobile phones, participatory radio, and video tutorials -rapidly connect farmers to trusted information, resources, markets, and financial services. The lack of these services denies millions of smallholder farmers the opportunity to learn and apply efficient agronomic practices to improve productivity and increase household food security.Įxperts in Canada and Ghana developed and tested new business-led solutions to meet this service shortage. Unfortunately the public system in Ghana, as in several African countries, has become financially unsustainable and these services are not widely available. There is an urgent need for increased access to agricultural extension and advisory services by smallholder farmers, particularly women.
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