Delivering value chain based extension services through innovative ICT: Role of tertiary education institutions and development partners

Value chain based extension and advisory services are critical in enhancing the knowledge and skills of smallholder farmers in Africa as they engage in transformative agriculture. In many countries, these services are constrained mainly due to the low number of extension staff per farmer and inadequate resources to reach large numbers of farmers. The Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and its partners have invested in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) that are innovative, interactive and cost-effective, including aspects of capacity building at higher education institutions. The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has over the years engaged tertiary education institutions and development partners in the use of radio and mobile phone services to enhance the delivery of extension services to farmers. There is evidence to demonstrate the fact that tertiary education institutions and development agencies have played a key role in designing and promoting the use of participatory radio and mobile phone services (short text and voice messages) in the project areas. Lecturers, tutors, students and extension agents have been effectively engaged to design the broadcasts and provide content for the various value chains; participate in training broadcasters, participate in the radio shows and are also part of the database of experts that are used to respond to farmer queries or requests. The radio media has in several communities proved to be the most effective with greater reach and impact at different coverage levels (national and local stations including community radios), complementary roles of radio and mobile phone services and linkages to traditional forms of extension especially use of demonstrations. Different ways such as use of community listener groups, common call in number across mobile networks, free toll numbers, call back services, use of mass sms distribution system and links to existing e-agricultural platforms managed by mobile network operators are used with varying impacts of using radio and mobile phones; these have been tracked and feedback generated to inform processes as well as provide basis for ensuring sustainability beyond project life.