ICTworks by Inveneo

The mere mention of agriculture conjures, for many, outmoded images of a backbreaking industry. It's an image that holds true in some places where few farmers utilize contemporary farming technologies and techniques.

But ICTs play an increasingly important role in agricultural value chains. Though important, cellphones aren't the only ICT being used to improve agriculture. ICTs encompass radios, digital cameras, geographic information systems (GIS), cloud computing, tracking mechanisms, etc.

Five ways in which ICT can help tackle key challenges in agricultural value chain development are:

1. Pricing and weather information systems
2. Applications (apps) to help buyers manage transactions with the thousands of small-scale farmers who supply to them
3. Mobile banking and apps that facilitate quick payments
4. Initiatives to expand the reach of farm extension services through phone, radio, video and sometimes all three
5. SMS or text messaging campaigns for enabling environment advocacy

The increasingly important role of ICTs in agriculture can help change the face of the sector (from outmoded to cutting edge). In fact, it should form part of the larger thrust to attract more young people to the sector. In a resent blog I contend that there's a strong link between ICTs and general youth employment. Agriculture is no exception. ICTs offer employment opportunities in the sector that are both attractive to young people and are in demand. I recently reviewed two unpublished labor market surveys for Rwanda and Kenya that confirms this.

The interesting bit of the research is that while less than a third of the youth surveyed expressed an interest in ag jobs, more than 40% saw opportunities in ICT related areas (not including ag). Clearly, showing the link between the two (ICT and Ag) should be a starting point. Three ICT-enabled functions that are in demand by industry and appeal to young people are agriculture input sales, logistics tech and agricultural infomediaries—the latter being the most cited, perhaps due to the well touted successes of M-Kilimi (M-agriculture), Esoko and others.

The rationale for Ag infomediaries, which enable quick access to information databases that were previously unavailable, best underscores how ICTs have improved agriculture in some places. The basic concept is that the economic livelihood of farmers has been hampered by ad hoc marketing systems and broader issues of information asymmetries for centuries. In other words, poor communication between producers and buyers results in inadequate planning, and ultimately an unstable market environment. So, In much the same way the global economy is driven by knowledge, agriculture depends on high quality, reliable and efficient information systems.

While the full impact of ICTs on ag is subject to research, there is compelling evidence about successful use of technologies in the sector.

Abt Associates is looking for a consultant who can help understand the current agriculture market information system in use, their business model, and alternatives. Ideally the person would be conversant in French.

MIS Consultancy – Summary

USAID’s West African intra-regional trade project (2008-2012) focuses on increasing the region’s capacity for cross-border trade, especially in the target commodities such as cereals and livestock. Over the past three years, the project has carried out several activities to increase access to market information and now, as it is preparing to develop its final year’s work plan in mid-August, would like to assess its MIS efforts to date and identify key objectives for the final year.

The consultancy, to begin on/about July 5, is envisioned to last 42 days, including travel. It will begin in Accra, where the project’s head office and major MIS partner Esoko are located. The consultant will also visit Mali and Burkina Faso.

A sample of the questions to be answered by the consultant include:

1. What distinguishes the Esoko platform from other models of cell phone-based MIS?
2. Does it represent best practice among available models?
3. How adequate are Esoko, AMASSA, and APROSSA as partners in providing MIS services?
4. How effective is the project’s approach to providing MIS for livestock, especially with relation to its work with the regional livestock federation?

More details are in the attached file, and contact Sally Cameron Sally_Cameron at abtassoc dot com if you are interested in applying.

Good luck!

-alice

p.s. I'm just the messenger but please let Abt know how you heard about this.

Esoko is an award-winning market information platform across 9 African countries that allows
farmers, traders, projects and businesses to use mobile phones to manage their businesses and
improve access to markets.

The software and support is developed in Accra at BusyLab, and they're looking for smart and dynamic people to join the team, build products and support expansion.

Esoko is hiring a variety of techie positions: Systems Manager, Software Developers, Technical Manager, Product Managers, & Mobile Engineers.

Senior Business Consultant

They're also looking for a Senior Business Consultant. This is a senior role to establish business plans, provide trainings & consulting, and develop strategies for key Esoko partners across Africa. This would be a great communicator with natural talent at both senior policy making level, as well as with farmers in the field, and motivated by innovative private business models that leverage ICTs to drive economic development. Fluent French or Arabic a plus.

More Esoko job opportunities...

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