Practical Insights on Agriculture for ICT4D Projects

what is e-agriculture project example

What is e-Agriculture Strategy?

An e-Agriculture strategy is using innovative digital technology solutions like precision agriculture, drones, big data, predictive analytics, and blockchain to improve social and economic outcomes for smallholder farmers.

e-Agriculture programs aim to increase food security by helping smallholder farmers improve modern ICT4Ag farming methods and access to markets. Agricultural ICT4D strategies encompass the full agricultural value chain and includes adjacent technologies like digital financial services and geographic information systems.

Communication in Agriculture

Smallholder farmers have limited knowledge, services, and technologies available to them. They typically need support to adopt modern farming methodologies.

Agriculture technology solutions focus on extension services for farmers to adopt new technologies and innovation. ICTs can amplify the efforts of the extension agents to help farmers plan what crops to grow, source inputs for crop cultivation, and selling their produce in local market.

Chatbots offer an exciting opportunity for governments to engage farmers on the social media platforms where farmers already congregate. For example:

  • Facebook chatbots are a popular way to answer basic questions or help farmers apply for government support services.
  • SMS text message chatbots can also help private sector companies develop new business leads and educate extension agents on their services.

ICT communication tools can play a crucial role in supporting farmers to access new inputs, credit, and markets with personalized and customized services.

Examples of e-Agriculture Programs

The potential to achieve high impact at the farm-level requires appropriate technology and adoption methodologies. International development organizations can use e-Agriculture communication programs like those below to support ICTforAg value chain ecosystems in developing countries.

Apply Now: €30,000 for African Digital Climate Change Innovations

Apply Now: €30,000 for African Digital Climate Change Innovations

Published on: Mar 07 2022 by Wayan Vota - 2 Comments
According to the World Bank, West Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The region will be buffeted by severe and extreme weather pattern changes...
Managing Stakeholder Expectations in Agriculture Technology Projects

Managing Stakeholder Expectations in Agriculture Technology Projects

Published on: Dec 30 2021 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Managing Stakeholder Expectations in Agriculture Technology Projects
Many ICT4Ag digital design processes involve diverse stakeholders, such as researchers, farmers, governmental organizations, or donor agencies. While each stakeholder...
Please Register Now: ICTforAg 2022 – The Digital Agriculture Conference

Please Register Now: ICTforAg 2022 – The Digital Agriculture Conference

Published on: Dec 16 2021 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Join industry leaders and practitioners from around the globe at ICTforAg 2022 for two days of thought-provoking discussions on March 9-10, 2022 as we delve into...
US Global Food Security Strategy Gets A Digital Development Upgrade!

US Global Food Security Strategy Gets A Digital Development Upgrade!

Published on: Dec 15 2021 by Josh Woodard - Comments Off on US Global Food Security Strategy Gets A Digital Development Upgrade!
The new U.S. Government Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS), from 2022-2026, has recently launched with some notable changes when it comes to digital development....
Apply Now! $2 Million for Smallholder Farmer AgriTech Solutions

Apply Now! $2 Million for Smallholder Farmer AgriTech Solutions

Published on: Nov 29 2021 by Wayan Vota - 16 Comments
Agriculture is by far the most important economic activity in Africa, employing about two-thirds of the continent’s working population. Yet agricultural productivity...
Apply Now: $17,000 Agriculture Satellite Data Machine Learning Challenge

Apply Now: $17,000 Agriculture Satellite Data Machine Learning Challenge

Published on: Aug 09 2021 by Wayan Vota - 5 Comments
The agricultural sector makes a substantial contribution to GDP and livelihoods across the developing world. However, regular and reliable agricultural data remains...
Apply Now: €2.7 Million West African Digital Agriculture Innovations Grants

Apply Now: €2.7 Million West African Digital Agriculture Innovations Grants

Published on: Jun 21 2021 by Wayan Vota - 11 Comments
West African countries face key climate change challenges, including sustainable use and management of biodiversity, and responsible production and consumption...
Apply Now: $300,000 for USAID Digital Agriculture Ecosystem Assessments

Apply Now: $300,000 for USAID Digital Agriculture Ecosystem Assessments

Published on: May 19 2021 by Wayan Vota - 13 Comments
Digital agriculture solutions for weather-based insurance, pest diagnostic, agronomic advice, and crop monitoring can revolutionize yields and income for smallholder...
Apply Now: $15,000 for Online Conservation Conversation Platform Ideas

Apply Now: $15,000 for Online Conservation Conversation Platform Ideas

Published on: Apr 19 2021 by Wayan Vota - 9 Comments
Historically, rural voices have been either missing or largely ignored in much of the debate and decision making around the management of natural resources, particularly...
How Smallholder Farmers Can Use Soil Map Data for Higher Productivity

How Smallholder Farmers Can Use Soil Map Data for Higher Productivity

Published on: Apr 14 2021 by Guest Writer - 2 Comments
Average cocoa yields in Ghana by smallholder farmers are currently 400 kg/ha, far below their production potential of over 1,500 kg/ha. Dominant factors contributing...