Digital solutions to overcome agriculture value chain-

related constraints

Youth Employment in Agriculture as a solid solution to ending Hunger

and Poverty in Africa Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda August 20 th -21st , 2018

H. Mibei; W. Ochillo; M. O’Connor

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
 what is CABI?
CABI is a not-for-profit science-based
development and information
organization

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 Overview: Agriculture
● Global population grow from 6.7b
to 9 billion in 2050
● Need 70% increase in productivity
to feed 9 billion people
● Climate change, invasive species,
soil degradation threatening
productivity
● Harness digital solutions to
increase agricultural production
● Engage and sensitize Youths on
the importance of agriculture

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 Agriculture value chain-related
constraints
● Poor access to credits
● High costs of inputs
● Shortage of quality improved seeds
● Weather related constraints
● Inadequate access to information
● Technological barriers
● Pest and disease problems
● Transportation problems & poor storage
facilities
● Lack of supportive policies
● Poor infrastructure
● Private sector not very interested to invest in
agriculture
● Limited access to markets

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 Mobile Enabled solutions for Agriculture
Improving access to financial
services
Inputs
Provision of agricultural
information
Improving data visibility for
supply chain efficiency
Enhancing access to markets
KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE
Access and affordability of financial services
tailored for agricultural purposes. (Digifarm,
Tulaa,)
Combat Fake Agro-Inputs Products (SMS
technologies that help farmers detect fake
seeds)
Delivering information relevant to farmers, e.g.
good agricultural practices and techniques
(iKilimo) weather forecasts (awhere), pests and
disease related information (CABI e-Plant
clinics)
Optimizing supply chain management across
the sector, and delivering efficiency
improvements for transportation logistics
(Traceability and tracking system)
Linking farmers to markets, commodity prices
(M-Farm, eSOKO, Esoko)
 Benefits of Digital Solutions
● Using digital solutions can reduce crop loss, increase yields, improve cost-
effectiveness in production, increase storage, prevent spoilage, and increase
income

Source: ictworks.org

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

CABI Digital
Solutions

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 Plantwise factsheet App Plant Doctor simulator

Offer Impro
v
s
conte access to exten es
si
worke on
n
healt t on Plan
h pro t rs
blem
s diagn ’ ability to
o
pests se key

Data collection App Messaging Platforms

Allows
o
digitisa ffline Not d
ti
clinic d on of plant ir
or su ectly dev
ata. p e
Farme
rs rece Plan ported by loped
tw C
SMS iv e Plan ise but e ABI
td n
recom
m comm octors to ables
their p endation on anoth unicate w
hones er ith on
e

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 ● Pest Risk Information Services (PRISE)

● Plantwise Knowledge Bank

● Invasive Species Compendium (ISC)

● Horizon Scanning Tool kit (HST)

● AgPortal

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 CABI: AgPortal
● An agri-advisory service supporting intermediaries in
the field to accurately diagnose, manage and report
on pests and diseases

● The service would consist of a Mobile App and a

Website that facilitates the identification of pests and
diseases, and records observations in the field

● The service will combine sound scientific knowledge

with the benefits of digital technology, and thereby
improve routine activities carried out in the field

● The service will strengthens the capacity of extension

officers and Youths to reach farmers with timely and
accurate information

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 How does AgPortal work?
● The advisor or scout carries out a farm visit and records
the observance of pests and diseases

● The advisor's report is shared with an agronomist and

may or may not trigger a decision for spray intervention

● The agronomist selects a pesticide or other means to

control the identified pest or disease

● The service seamlessly links to advice on management:

through cultural control methods and to a pesticides
database

● The sprayer identifies how much pesticide to apply

● The sprayer records what pesticide was applied and

when, against the expected harvest date

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 Who could Benefit from AgPortal ?
● Youths who carry out agro-advisory services to farmers

● Extension workers who need reliable information that

can be easily retrieved and shared

● Private sector companies focused on the export market

that need to improve their standards pre-harvest and
provide reports for traceability

● Commodity sectors that are seeking to improve the

supply chain from which they source

● NGO’s carrying out value chain analysis on particular

crops who need records of what is happening in the field

● Manufacturers who are looking to promote the

responsible use of their products in the field

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 CABI: PestSmart Diagnostics E-learning

View our promotional video here

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 PestSmart

Who is the course suited for?

• Youths who have a theoretical understanding of
organisms but limited practical field based
experience.
• Companies that want to reduce the level of
misdiagnosis in the field.

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

 ‫شكرا جزيل‬merci शशुकक्रियय
zikomo
xie-xie obrigado
efharistó
ありがとう
thank
kiitos
urakoze
you
ke itumetse tak
gracias zikomo

dhanyawaad
asante
danke terima kasih

CABI is an international intergovernmental organisation, and we gratefully acknowledge

the core financial support from our member countries and lead agencies including:

Ministry of Agriculture,
People’s Republic of China

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE