
Digital technologies hold transformative potential for agri-food systems (AFS), extending beyond traditional on-farm innovations to impact various points in the AFS value chain. These technologies offer benefits such as financial inclusion, better market access, and improved information dissemination for smallholder farmers. With the rise of mobile technologies, even remote and underserved communities can access crucial weather and market information, aiding in climate adaptation and resilience building.
The CGIAR Digital Innovation Initiative (DII) aims to develop digital tools that foster a more inclusive, sustainable food, land, and water future. This initiative supports policymakers in bridging the digital gap, informs farmers about risks, and empowers communities with digital skills and resources. The DII operates in regions including Kenya, India, Southern Africa’s Limpopo Basin, and Rwanda, with additional research in Egypt, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
On May 14, 2024, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) hosted a workshop in Addis Ababa to introduce Ethiopia’s country teams to the AgDataHubs and other digital innovations. The workshop aimed to identify collaborative opportunities for utilizing digital innovations to transform AFS in Ethiopia.
Key Presentations:
- Anthony Whitbread (ILRI): Discussed the role of digital innovations in creating equitable, sustainable, and resilient agri-food systems in Ethiopia. He highlighted strengths such as connectivity and IT capabilities, weaknesses like fragmented solutions, opportunities presented by a digitally aware generation, and threats such as financial and institutional challenges.
- Ram Dhulipala (ILRI): Presented on ILRI’s Digital Innovation Initiative and the AICCRA AgDataHubs. These national platforms integrate climate and agriculture data to enhance agromet advisory services, providing actionable insights for the agricultural value chain. He also discussed potential uses of Large Language Models for translating data into simple advisories for farmers.
- Wuletawu Abera (ABC-CIAT): Highlighted the NextGen Agro-advisory System and National Ag Datahub, which provide location-specific advisories through various digital channels. The integrated data hub supports agriculture-related data processing and dissemination to over 10,000 farmers, resulting in significant yield gains.
- Hawinet Bekele (Digital Green): Focused on Digital Green’s initiatives, including video-based extension programs, farmer profiling, and data sharing through FarmStack. The AgAdvisory Bot provides tailored advisory content, significantly enhancing farmer practices and productivity.
- Meron Sileshi (Lersha): Introduced Lersha’s digital climate advisory services, which offer personalized guidance, access to inputs and financing, and market linkages. Lersha’s innovative approach aims to boost farmer income, enhance food security, and build resilience.
The panel discussion addressed key challenges and opportunities in digital agriculture, specifically for Ethiopia. Key points included:
- Challenges: Financial access, outdated information, integration issues, and low literacy rates.
- Building Trust: Leveraging existing extension systems, breaking down barriers to technology, and fostering a supportive digital ecosystem.
- Research Gaps: Need for more research on sustainable business models, social science insights on adoption patterns, and cost-benefit analyses.
The workshop concluded with a call to action for linking DII resources with ongoing digital agriculture efforts in Ethiopia. Emphasis was placed on generating more evidence of impact from past pilots, developing sustainable business models, and ensuring responsible innovation to avoid exacerbating the digital divide. Capacity building and global-local linkages were also highlighted as crucial for advancing digital agriculture.
For more detailed information, you can access the full report here.
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