FARA policy briefs

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://aaspace.org//handle/20.500.14659/59

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    Enhancing climate adaptation through the digital connectors model for agricultural extension in Uganda
    (ASARECA, 2026-01) Okonya, Joshua Sikhu (ASARECA); BenBella, Bashir (AFAAS); Antwi, Kwaku Dei (FARA)
    Uganda's public extension worker-to-farmer ratio of about 1:1,800, against an FAO benchmark of 1:500, cannot support uptake of knowledge-intensive climate-smart technologies, innovations, management practices and services (TIMPS). Drawing on the AIRTEA DC4FC project, which trained nine youth digital connectors serving nearly 10,000 members of the ZAABTA (Luweero) and BAIDA (Bugiri) innovation platforms, the brief shows that face-to-face training combined with phones raises access to and demand for climate-smart TIMPS. A 5% commission from input companies sustains connectors' work with women and youth farmers. Barriers include low trust in pre-payment models, farmers' reluctance to pay for advice, and the lack of return-on-investment models for extension. Recommendations cover digital literacy, phone and connectivity costs, a shared digital content repository, ROI models, seed capital for youth agritech, tax incentives, and accreditation of digital connectors within MAAIF/UFAAS.
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    Strengthening Agriculture Extension and Advisory Service Delivery in Murang'a County
    (AFAAS, 2023) Mwangi, Gitika Peter; Aluda, Elizabeth; Makokha, Oscar
    Agriculture accounts for about 60% of Murang'a County's economic activity and 70% of local employment, yet the extension officer-to-farmer ratio stands at 1:7,950 and is expected to worsen as staff retire. The brief draws on secondary data, a literature review, stakeholder mapping and a county policy dialogue. It reviews extension approaches used since devolution, the challenges facing women and youth (finance, information, land), and youth unemployment of 37%. It recommends a participatory county digitalization policy defining the role of digital connectors, a county agricultural data management policy, a clearer "one ward, one cooperative" policy that places agripreneurs in public extension, digital credit schemes for farmers, and private-sector partnerships for digital connectors.