Poster prepared by Fred Kizito, Haroon Sseguya, Patrick Kiao, Mateete Bekunda and Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon for the Africa RISING ESA Project Review and Planning Meeting, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 11-12 September 2019.

1. Digital transformation of agriculture: A game changer for sub-Saharan Africa
Fred Kizito1, Haroon Sseguya1, Patrick Kiao2, Mateete Bekunda1, and Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon1
1International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
2ESOKO
Key messages
The use of digital tools has revolutionized agriculture through offering more
affordable, efficient and far-reaching coverage with e-extension services. This
has drastically improved decision making through informed choices in farming.
 Has enabled broader outreach to farmers in Tanzania; 2,000 in
Babati district; 13,660 in 8 districts of the Southern Highlands and
500 in Ghana.
 Has allowed for 30% greater involvement of women and youth with
information targeted for nutrition and business models respectively.
 Has allowed for re-tooling and supporting extension agents (not as a
substitute but a complement) with smart connectivity options to
knowledge, agribusiness outlets and techniques thus allowing for
sustainability.
This poster is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
Sept. 2019
We thank farmers and local partners in Africa RISING sites for their contributions to this research. We also acknowledge
the support of all donors which globally support the work of the CGIAR centers and their partners through their
contributions to the CGIAR system
Objectives and approach
 Improve delivery of extension services through use of ICT
approaches (e-Extension)
 Scale out promising technologies beyond Africa RISING target sites
in Tanzania while offering advice on agronomy, climate services
and market information.
 Use of interactive videos for improved knowledge transfer to
farmers. The videos were co-developed with communities and local
institutions.
Key results
 Reached 13,660 farmers in Southern Highlands of Tanzania, bridged
the Extension to Farmer ratio: Current levels average at 1:600-1400.
Was achieved through SMS, Kplus e-extension model and lead farmer
approaches. This will significantly reduce the ratio to 1:35.
 Allowed for improved awareness and knowledge in agronomy,
climate services, market infomation and post-harvest management
 Coming soon: Will include integrated livestock management options
Significance and scaling potential
 The e-extension approach is useful for targeted last-mile
technology delivery options among smallholder farmers in a
manner that is cost-effective and sustainable while building
capacity
 Use of SMS messaging coupled with community tablet projector
allows for peer-to-peer learning among small holder farmers.
 Offers lower costs of conventional training and capacity building
 Provides a sense of ownership, legitimacy and buy-in since farmers
can situate themselves in the videos.
Preview of the uploaded content on web and android phone
Partners
Offers a range of game changing services for improved decision making
Tablet with Built in projector (Left); Farmers in Kilosa training on Kplus
using a tablet projector device conducted on 5 June 2019 (Right)
The Android based Kplus System for TOT trainers; Analytics from
farmer profile surveys; Range of services the Platform provides