Presentation by Bashir Jama, AGRA, Ghana Plenary Session: Why the Hype for mAgriculture? on 5 Nov 2013 ICT4Ag, Kigali, Rwanda

1. ICT for Ag – win-win or
just a hype?
Bashir Jama
AGRA, Ghana
‫‏‬
‫‏‬

2. AGRA’s‫‏‬mission
To trigger a uniquely African
Green Revolution that transforms
smallholder agriculture into a
highly productive, efficient,
competitive and sustainable
system that assures food security
and lifts millions out of poverty.
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3. Growing List of Partners
African governments
Funding partners
Regional Economic
Communities
Private sector
Farmers
Sweden
Implementing partners
Neema Agricole du Faso
(seed company)
Farmer Organizations

4. The potential
ICT solutions are much
needed for improving
access to production
technologies,
remunerative markets,
and affordable financing
in an inclusive manner.
–
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6. Demonstrations:‫‘‏‬Seeing‫‏‬is‫‏‬beleiving’

7. Options: video van, drama,
mobile, radio…….

8. Access limited-80% of Africa is till
uncovered

9. Other constraints
• Cost – competition;
regulation?
• Content – relevance;
reliability?
• Education – rural vs urban
folks?
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10. ICT4Ag: 5 game changers
• Demand driven messages –
understand clients needs better
• Engage farmers/clients in message
development
• Messages vetted by experts
• Develop sound feedback
mechanisms
• Network‫‏‬and‫‏‬share‫‘‏‬best‫‏‬practices’
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11. Finally..
Policy incentives are essential for
enhancing universal access that
breaks the digital divide between
urban that meets the needs of the
stakeholders
–
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12. Thank you
bjama@agra.org
Visit AGRA’s website: ww.agra.org