The global divide in data-driven farming
Big data and mobile technology are widely claimed to be global disruptive forces in agriculture that benefit small-scale farmers. Yet the access of small-scale farmers to this technology is poorly understood. We show that only 24–37% of farms of <1 ha in size are served by third generation (3G) or 4G services, compared to 74–80% of farms of >200 ha in size. Furthermore, croplands with severe yield gaps, climate-stressed locations and food-insecure populations have poor service coverage. Across many countries in Africa, less than ~40% of farming households have Internet access, and the cost of data remains prohibitive. We recommend a digital inclusion agenda whereby governments, the development community and the private sector focus their efforts to improve access so that data-driven agriculture is available to all farmers globally.
Precision Agriculture to Digital Agriculture: A Literature Review
This paper tries to capture the evolution of Digital Agriculture based on the foundations of precision agriculture. The review of literature around the development of precision agriculture reveals that the data captured in the precision agriculture processes, if effectively used, can support extensive agronomic decision making. With the advent of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), predictive and prescriptive analysis of even huge amounts of data is now possible. Digital Agriculture seeks to combine the power of AI/ML and data from precision agriculture to deliver decision support systems to farmers and in other aspects of the agricultural value chain. The prerequisites for Digital Agriculture to realise its full potential are business models that demonstrate clear economic benefits for the farmers and user-friendly design.
Guidelines For Adoption of ICTS in Rural Extension to Face and Overcome Emergencies
The emergencies generated by the effects of climate change, the high conflicts in the continent, and now by COVID-19, challenge the Rural Extension services to external changes. Today, these emergencies threaten the possibility of maintaining supply chains and food security and the life and well-being of the population.
The risks generated by these emergencies require a new approach to the adaptation, mitigation, and action processes. There is no doubt about the leading role that ICTs play in this context since they facilitate action during moments of crisis and generate a sustainable plan for the post-emergency. In this scenario, this policy note indicates the elements that must be taken into account in a roadmap that allows the efficient incorporation of ICTs into Rural Extension.
Women and Men in Small-scale Fisheriers and Aquaclture in Asia
This study aims to consolidate the efforts to date to provide recommendations for action and future studies. Its objective is to answer the following questions for small-scale fisheries and aquaculture in Asia: (i) What is the division of labour between women and men in specific fisheries and aquaculture practices and what are the differences with respect to their access to assets, resources and entitlements? (ii) What are the drivers of such differences? (iii) What could be critical entry points and opportunities for addressing inequalities and discriminatory practices? To answer these questions, the study conducted an online literature search on gender and fisheries and aquaculture in Asia, selecting articles published between 2011 and 2021.
- Published in GENDER, ICTs, LIVESTOCK / FISHERIES, RESOURCES
Bangladesh: DIEM – Data in Emergencies Monitoring brief
This Data in Emergencies Monitoring (DIEM-Monitoring) brief shares the results of a fifth-round field assessment conducted between March and April 2022 in Bangladesh. It presents key findings and recommendations for humanitarian actors to utilize in planning and implementing data-driven programming to sustain farmers’ livelihoods and build their resilience to future shocks – protecting the food security of rural people in Bangladesh.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) established the DIEM-Monitoring System to collect, analyse and disseminate data on shocks and livelihoods in countries prone to multiple shocks. DIEM-Monitoring aims to inform decision making by providing regularly updated information on how different shocks are affecting the livelihoods and food security of agricultural populations. Information is collected from primary sources in the production process: producers, traders or marketers, input suppliers, extension officers and other key informants.
Digital Agriculture in ASEAN: Strategies for Donor Impact
Over the last 15 years or so, mobile and smartphone ownership and mobile coverage in rural Southeast Asia have increased steadily. As a result, farmers and agribusinesses are increasingly using digital technologies to address challenges faced by the smallholder agriculture sector – including volatile commodity prices, limited access to markets, inputs, credit and training, as well as changing weather patterns. There are systemic challenges, however, that need public sector and donor support to overcome, particularly to drive positive outcomes for smallholder farmers.
This report (1) illustrates how seven different digital technologies are reshaping agriculture in the region and (2) highlights how the strategic investment decisions of organizations like the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) could shape and accelerate the adoption of technologies with the potential to transform rural economies and food systems by making them more inclusive, productive, resilient and sustainable.
Scaling up inclusive innovations in agrifood chains in Asia and the Pacific
The publication looks at innovations happening at all stages of the food value chain: from production to manufacturing and retailing. This also includes the extended value chain, for example input supply, financial services and agribusiness support services. Yields are improving and primary production is becoming more resilient as a result of digital technologies such as precision agriculture, agricultural drones, and digital farming services and marketplaces; and novel business models such as plant factories, crowdsourcing for farmers. Data and robotics help lift productivity and food safety in the manufacturing process. Online grocery commerce and food delivery services are revolutionizing the way consumers purchase food. Distributed ledger technology, such as blockchain, allows making payments and tracing back food products along the chain in order to increase transparency and trust. New business models are springing up to shorten the chain by removing or shifting stages and to make it fairer and greener, stimulated by enabling technologies and changing customer behaviours. Innovations such as these are discussed and illustrated by almost 200 practical examples from 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, across various types of firms and commodities.
- Published in ICTs, VALUE CHAIN / MARKETS
Connected Women The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2020
The GSMA Connected Women programme works with mobile operators and their partners to address the barriers to women accessing and using mobile internet and mobile money services. Connected Women aims to reduce the gender gap in mobile internet and mobile money services and unlock significant commercial opportunities for the mobile industry and socio-economic benefits for women.
Guide on Training of Facilitators of Multi-actor Agricultural Innovation Platform
This guide is a guideline tool, rather than a textbook for training MAIPs facilitators. Facilitators should keep in mind that MAIPs advocate learning by doing, through practice. They should conduct MAIPs by referring to the training activities in this book instead of copying. Although the authors have tried their best to make this guide applicable to agricultural production and social development in various places, it is difficult to cover all the content. Therefore, MAIPs facilitators using this book are encouraged to give full play to creativity and develop training activities and methods sensitive to local characteristics and value chains.
- Published in GUIDE/TOOLS/MANUALS, ICTs
A Guide to Genetic Resources
This guide lays out the importance of genetic resources to protect human needs, by explaining how they underpin our food and nutritional security while sustaining our environments. It also explains how the public and private sectors can work together to conserve and share the benefits of these critical resources for future generations.
- Published in GUIDE/TOOLS/MANUALS, ICTs