Digital Farmer Registry And Tailored Extension And Advisory Services In Ethiopia A Process Evaluation

Author : Sebsibie, Samuel,Ketema, Dessalegn Molla,Abate, Gashaw Tadesse
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Page : 7 pages
File Size : 53,6 Mb
Release : 2023-02-28
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

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Digital farmer registry and tailored extension and advisory services in Ethiopia: A process evaluation by Sebsibie, Samuel,Ketema, Dessalegn Molla,Abate, Gashaw Tadesse Pdf

Ethiopia hosts one of the largest extension systems in Africa, with approximately 43 development agents (DAs) per 10,000 farmers, more than 15,000 farmers training centers (FTCs) that serve as a focal point for agricultural development activities at the local level, and 25 Agricultural Technical Voca tional Education and Training (ATVET) institutes that prepare and update extension staff in both general and specialized fields of expertise (Berhane et al. 2018; ATA 2014; Davis et al. 2010). DAs report edly reach more than 75% of farm households in the country (CSA 2017), and every kebele hosts an average of three DAs, each with his or her own specialization. However, there are concerns about the quality of extension and advisory services DAs provide mainly because DAs are overburdened and under-resourced. DAs actively engage in activities that do not typically fall under the mandate of agricultural extension services, including the collection of taxes, loan repayments and mobilization of labor for public works. A related concern is the simple “technology-push” approach to agricultural intensification followed by most DAs since they do not have the time to closely know the farmers and provide a more “tailored and knowledge-driven” advisory that puts farmers’ priorities and technical capabilities at the center of DA’s effort (Berhane et al. 2018; Bachewe et al. 2017).

Author : Davis, Kristin E.,Makhija, Simrin,Spielman, David J.
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Page : 14 pages
File Size : 51,9 Mb
Release : 2021-10-29
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

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Agricultural extension and rural advisory services: What have we learned? What’s next? by Davis, Kristin E.,Makhija, Simrin,Spielman, David J. Pdf

Agricultural extension provides the critical connection from agricultural innovation and discovery to durable improvements at scale, as farmers and other actors in the rural economy learn, adapt, and innovate with new technologies and practices. However, lack of capacity and performance of agricultural extension in lower- and middle-income countries is an ongoing concern. Research on agricultural extension and advisory services (in short, extension) has been an integral part of the CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM) since its inception. This brief synthesizes key findings from research funded by and linked to PIM from 2012 to 2021, presenting lessons learned and a vision for the future of extension. A list of all PIM-related extension and advisory services research is provided at the end. Designing and implementing effective provision of extension is complex, and efforts to strengthen extension services often fall into a trap of adopting “best practice” blueprint approaches that are not well-tailored to local conditions. An expansive literature examines the promises and pitfalls of common approaches, including training-and-visit extension systems, farmer field schools, and many others (Anderson and Feder 2004; Anderson et al. 2006; Waddington and White 2014; Scoones and Thompson 2009). To understand extension systems and build evidence for what works and where, the “best-fit” framework, a widely recognized approach developed by Birner and colleagues (2009) and adapted by Davis and Spielman (2017), offers a simple impact chain approach (Figure 1). The framework focuses on a defined set of extension service characteristics that affect performance: governance structures and funding; organizational and management capacities and cultures; methods; and community engagement — all of which are subject to external factors such as the policy environment, agroecological conditions, and farming-system heterogeneity. To enhance extension performance and, ultimately, a wide range of outcomes and impacts, new and innovative interventions can be applied and adapted within this set of extension characteristics.

Author : Tsan, Michael,Totapally, Swetha,Hailu, Michael,Addom, Benjamin K.
Publisher : CTA
Page : 241 pages
File Size : 42,6 Mb
Release : 2019-06-30
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9789290816577

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The Digitalisation of African Agriculture Report 2018–2019 by Tsan, Michael,Totapally, Swetha,Hailu, Michael,Addom, Benjamin K. Pdf

An inclusive, digitally-enabled agricultural transformation could help achieve meaningful livelihood improvements for Africa’s smallholder farmers and pastoralists. It could drive greater engagement in agriculture from women and youth and create employment opportunities along the value chain. At CTA we staked a claim on this power of digitalisation to more systematically transform agriculture early on. Digitalisation, focusing on not individual ICTs but the application of these technologies to entire value chains, is a theme that cuts across all of our work. In youth entrepreneurship, we are fostering a new breed of young ICT ‘agripreneurs’. In climate-smart agriculture multiple projects provide information that can help towards building resilience for smallholder farmers. And in women empowerment we are supporting digital platforms to drive greater inclusion for women entrepreneurs in agricultural value chains.

Author : Ayers Brinser
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 96 pages
File Size : 53,7 Mb
Release : 1943
Category : Agriculture
ISBN : WISC:89038442703

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Better Rural Life by Ayers Brinser Pdf

Author : Abate, Gashaw T.,Bernard, Tanguy,Makhija, Simrin,Spielman, David J.
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Page : 74 pages
File Size : 43,7 Mb
Release : 2024-07-03
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

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Accelerating technical change through video-mediated agricultural extension: Evidence from Ethiopia by Abate, Gashaw T.,Bernard, Tanguy,Makhija, Simrin,Spielman, David J. Pdf

Despite a rapidly growing enthusiasm around applications of information and communications technologies (ICTs) to smallholder agriculture in developing countries, there are still many questions on the effectiveness of ICT-based approaches. This study assesses the effects of videomediated agricultural extension service provision on farmers’ knowledge and adoption of improved agricultural technologies and practices in Ethiopia. The study focuses on a program piloted by the Government of Ethiopia and Digital Green and poses three questions. First, to what extent does video-mediated extension lead to increased uptake of improved agricultural technologies and practices by smallholder farmers? Second, is video-mediated extension targeted at both spouses of the household more effective than when only targeted at the (typically male) household head? Third, how cost-effective is a video-mediated approach to extension provision? The study explores these questions with a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the video-mediated approach as applied to three priority crops (teff, wheat, maize) and three technologies (row planting, precise seeding rates, and urea dressing). The trial was implemented in 347 kebeles (village clusters) during the 2017 meher (rainy) season in Ethiopia’s four most agriculturally important regional states. Analysis of data from our surveys of 2,422 households and 896 extension agents indicates that the video-mediated approach is more effective than the conventional approach in achieving several key outcomes. Specifically, we find that videomediated extension reaches a wider audience than the conventional approach and leads to higher levels of agricultural knowledge and uptake of technologies in those kebeles randomly assigned to the program. While our results do point to greater participation and greater knowledge of female spouses in kebeles where both male and female spouses were targeted by the program, we do not find clear evidence that the more inclusive approach translated into higher uptake of the subject technologies and practices. Finally, we find that the video-mediated approach becomes less costly as the scale of operation increases.

Author : Abay, Kibrom A.,Abate, Gashaw Tadesse,Chamberlin, Jordan,Kassim, Yumna,Spielman, David J.
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Page : 42 pages
File Size : 50,9 Mb
Release : 2021-12-31
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

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Digital tools and agricultural market transformation in Africa: Why are they not at scale yet, and what will it take to get there? by Abay, Kibrom A.,Abate, Gashaw Tadesse,Chamberlin, Jordan,Kassim, Yumna,Spielman, David J. Pdf

This paper presents results from a framed field experiment in which participants make decisions about extraction of a common-pool resource, a community forest. The experiment was designed and piloted as both a research activity and an experiential learning intervention during 2017-2018 with 120 groups of resource users (split by gender) from 60 habitations in two Indian states, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. We examine whether local beliefs and norms about community forest, gender of participants, within-experiment treatments (non-communication, communication, and optional election of institutional arrangements (rules)) and remuneration methods affect harvest behaviour and groups’ tendency to cooperate. Furthermore, we explore whether the experiment and subsequent community debriefing had learning effects. Results reveal a “weak” Nash Equilibrium in which participants harvested substantially less than the Nash prediction even in the absence of communication, a phenomenon stronger for male than female participants in both states. For male groups in both states, both communication and optional rule election are associated with lower group harvest per round, as compared to the reference non-communication game. For female groups in both states, however, communication itself did not significantly slow down resource depletion; but the introduction of optional rule election did reduce harvest amounts. For both men and women in Andhra Pradesh and men in Rajasthan, incentivized payments to individual participants significantly lowered group harvest, relative to community flat payment, suggesting a possible “crowding-in” effect on pro-social norms. Despite the generally positive memory of the activity, reported actual changes are limited. This may be due to the lack of follow-up with the communities between the experiment and the revisit. The fact that many of the communities already have a good understanding of the importance of the relationships between (not) cutting trees and the ecosystem services from forests, with rules and strong internal norms against cutting that go beyond the felling of trees in the game, may have also meant that the game did not have as much to add. Findings have methodological and practical implications for designing behavioral intervention programs to improve common-pool resource governance.

Author : Berhane, Guush,Ragasa, Catherine,Abate, Gashaw T.,Assefa, Thomas Woldu
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Page : 33 pages
File Size : 47,5 Mb
Release : 2018-05-10
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 8210379456XXX

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The state of agricultural extension services in Ethiopia and their contribution to agricultural productivity by Berhane, Guush,Ragasa, Catherine,Abate, Gashaw T.,Assefa, Thomas Woldu Pdf

We document the state of the extension system in Ethiopia and review the empirical evidence on the links between the key extension services provided, adoption of modern inputs, and agricultural productivity. In particular, we take stock of the provision of agricultural extension services, synthesize the evidence on the performance of the system, and suggest ways that it might contribute to accelerating agricultural growth and poverty reduction in the years ahead.

Author : The World Bank
Publisher : World Bank Publications
Page : 685 pages
File Size : 53,5 Mb
Release : 2012-02-21
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9780821389447

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Agricultural Innovation Systems by The World Bank Pdf

Managing the ability of agriculture to meet rising global demand and to respond to the changes and opportunities will require good policy, sustained investments, and innovation - not business as usual. Investments in public Research and Development, extension, education, and their links with one another have elicited high returns and pro-poor growth, but these investments alone will not elicit innovation at the pace or on the scale required by the intensifying and proliferating challenges confronting agriculture. Experience indicates that aside from a strong capacity in Research and Development, the ability to innovate is often related to collective action, coordination, the exchange of knowledge among diverse actors, the incentives and resources available to form partnerships and develop businesses, and conditions that make it possible for farmers or entrepreneurs to use the innovations. While consensus is developing about what is meant by 'innovation' and 'innovation system', no detailed blueprint exists for making agricultural innovation happen at a given time, in a given place, for a given result. The AIS approach that looks at these multiple conditions and relationships that promote innovation in agriculture, has however moved from a concept to a sub-discipline with principles of analysis and action. AIS investments must be specific to the context, responding to the stage of development in a particular country and agricultural sector, especially the AIS. This sourcebook contributes to identifying, designing, and implementing the investments, approaches, and complementary interventions that appear most likely to strengthen AIS and to promote agricultural innovation and equitable growth. It emphasizes the lessons learned, benefits and impacts, implementation issues, and prospects for replicating or expanding successful practices. The information in this sourcebook derives from approaches that have been tested at different scales in different contexts. It reflects the experiences and evolving understanding of numerous individuals and organizations concerned with agricultural innovation, including the World Bank. This information is targeted to the key operational staff in international and regional development agencies and national governments who design and implement lending projects and to the practitioners who design thematic programs and technical assistance packages. The sourcebook can also be an important resource for the research community and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Author : Berhanu Gebremedhin
Publisher : ILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD)
Page : 74 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2010-01-01
Category : Agricultural development projects
ISBN : 9789291462452

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Results-based Monitoring and Evaluation for Organizations Working in Agricultural Development by Berhanu Gebremedhin Pdf

Author : New Partnership for Africa's Development
Publisher : Nepad
Page : 126 pages
File Size : 54,8 Mb
Release : 2003
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : STANFORD:36105123600269

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Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme by New Partnership for Africa's Development Pdf

Author : McDermott, John,Swinnen, Johan
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
Page : 200 pages
File Size : 50,5 Mb
Release : 2022-03-07
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9780896294226

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COVID-19 and global food security: Two years later by McDermott, John,Swinnen, Johan Pdf

Two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health, economic, and social disruptions caused by this global crisis continue to evolve. The impacts of the pandemic are likely to endure for years to come, with poor, marginalized, and vulnerable groups the most affected. In COVID-19 & Global Food Security: Two Years Later, the editors bring together contributions from new IFPRI research, blogs, and the CGIAR COVID-19 Hub to examine the pandemic’s effects on poverty, food security, nutrition, and health around the world. This volume presents key lessons learned on food security and food system resilience in 2020 and 2021 and assesses the effectiveness of policy responses to the crisis. Looking forward, the authors consider how the pandemic experience can inform both recovery and longer-term efforts to build more resilient food systems.

Author : International Finance Corporation
Publisher : World Bank Publications
Page : 437 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 2023-11-01
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9781464819636

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Working with Smallholders by International Finance Corporation Pdf

Smallholder farmers are the stewards of more than 80 percent of the world’s farms. These small family businesses produce about one-third of the world’s food. In Africa and Asia, smallholders dominate the production of food crops, as well as export commodities such as cocoa, coffee, and cotton. However, smallholders and farm workers remain among the poorest segments of the population, and they are on the frontline of climate change. Smallholder farmers face constraints in accessing inputs, finance, knowledge, technology, labor, and markets. Raising farm-level productivity in a sustainable way is a key development priority. Agribusinesses are increasingly working with smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries to secure agricultural commodities. More productive smallholders boost rural incomes and economic growth, as well as reduce poverty. Smallholders also represent a growing underserved market for farm inputs, information, and financial services. Working with Smallholders: A Handbook for Firms Building Sustainable Supply Chains (third edition) shows agribusinesses how to engage more effectively with smallholders and to develop sustainable, resilient, and productive supply chains. The book compiles practical solutions and cutting-edge ideas to overcome the challenges facing smallholders. This third edition is substantially revised from the second edition and incorporates new material on the potential for digital technologies and sustainable farming. This handbook is written principally to outline opportunities for the private sector. The content may also be useful to the staffs of governmental or nongovernmental development programs working with smallholders, as well as to academic and research institutions.

Author : World Bank
Publisher : World Bank Publications
Page : 460 pages
File Size : 41,7 Mb
Release : 2017-06-27
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9781464810237

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ICT in Agriculture (Updated Edition) by World Bank Pdf

Information and communication technology (ICT) has always mattered in agriculture. Ever since people have grown crops, raised livestock, and caught fish, they have sought information from one another. Today, ICT represents a tremendous opportunity for rural populations to improve productivity, to enhance food and nutrition security, to access markets, and to find employment opportunities in a revitalized sector. ICT has unleashed incredible potential to improve agriculture, and it has found a foothold even in poor smallholder farms. ICT in Agriculture, Updated Edition is the revised version of the popular ICT in Agriculture e-Sourcebook, first launched in 2011 and designed to support practitioners, decision makers, and development partners who work at the intersection of ICT and agriculture. Our hope is that this updated Sourcebook will be a practical guide to understanding current trends, implementing appropriate interventions, and evaluating the impact of ICT interventions in agricultural programs.

Author : Anonim
Publisher : ILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD)
Page : 270 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2008-01-01
Category : Agricultural extension work
ISBN : 9789291462179

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Concepts and Practices in Agricultural Extension in Developing Countries by Anonim Pdf

Author : Mariana Wongtschowski,John Belt (Advisor in economic development),Willem Heemskerk,David Kahan
Publisher : Kit Pub
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 53,8 Mb
Release : 2013
Category : Africa south of Sahara
ISBN : 9460222366

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The Business of Agricultural Business Services by Mariana Wongtschowski,John Belt (Advisor in economic development),Willem Heemskerk,David Kahan Pdf

An increasing number of African smallholders are moving from subsistence farming to selling at least part of their output. To shift successfully to a more commercial footing they need a lot more than the production advice traditionally provided by extension services. They need to understand how markets work. They also need advice on postharvest handling, help with business planning and marketing, assistance with organization, information on prices, links to buyers and credit, help with contracts and standards, and many other types of assistance. These agricultural business development services are provided by a mix of private companies, NGOs, cooperatives and government agencies in what is called a pluralistic extension system . Farmers and other clients such as input stores, small-scale processors and traders get some services for free, paid for by donors or the government. Others are subsidized: the farmers pay part of the cost. For still others, the farmers must pay the full cost. That leads to questions of sustainability (what happens when the donor s money runs out?), accountability (whom do the service providers listen to: the farmers, or the source of the funds?), and inclusiveness (how to ensure that women, the poor and disadvantaged get the services they need but cannot afford?). This book describes the two dominant approaches to providing services: supply-driven (where the funder decides what services should be offered), and market-driven (where more emphasis is put on market forces). It looks at how 12 business service providers from across Africa run their businesses. It describes the seven different business models that they pursue, and examines the features of each one. Based on their experiences, it proposes a new, needs-driven approach, which aims to overcome the shortcomings of both the supply-driven and the market-driven approaches by taking the needs of clients as a starting point for policy and action."