Virtual Dialogue on ICTs in African Agriculture

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) - including mobile phones, audio-visual communication, digital technologies, and internet services - have played a significant role in development in Africa south of the Sahara over the past decade. The potential benefits of ICTs for the region’s agricultural sector, and its poor farming households, are especially important, as Africa south of the Sahara has the lowest rates of agricultural productivity and the highest rates of hunger in the world.

To continue the dialogue regarding ICT use in African agriculture, the Africa south of the Sahara Food Security Portal will host a virtual dialogue.  The dialogue will be held on Tuesday May 23 and will begin at 10:00 UTC (11:00 Accra time). Specific discussion questions will include the following questions; users can click on each individual question to participate or link to the full forum.

  1. What features of mobile phones have made them so popular and so effective? What can we learn from the use of mobile phones to improve the use of other ICTs for development?
  2. How can stakeholders in both the private and the public sector ensure that ICTs like mobile phones remain financially sustainable?  
  3. What kind of data is most relevant for rural households? Is this data already being collected?
  4. How can ICT platforms, specifically mobile phones, better support agriculture, food and nutrition security, and early warning systems?  

An expert panel will respond to participants’ questions and comments and provide insights into the region’s data and information needs. Participating experts will include: 

  • Shaun Ferris, Catholic Relief Services, Director of Agricultural Livelihoods
  • Michael Humber, University of Maryland/GEOGLAM, Senior Faculty Specialist
  • MaryLucy Oronje, CABI/Plantwise, Knowledge Bank Coordinator, East Africa
  • Benjamin Addom, CTA, ICTD Program Coordinator
  • Jenny Aker, Tufts University, Associate Professor
  • Mercyline Kamande, Mount Kenya University, Senior Lecturer
  • Charles Steinfield, Michigan State University, Professor