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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    Scaling the delivery of digital agriculture tools to enhance adaptation to a changing climate: Experiences and lessons learned from Uganda
    (ASARECA, FARA, 2025-08) Okonya, Joshua Sikhu; Luzobe, Beatrice; Antwi, Kwaku Dei
    This brief presents lessons from the AIRTEA DC4FC project, which trained and equipped ten youth digital connectors to provide fee-based, climate-smart advisory services, inputs and market links to nearly 10,000 members of two innovation platforms in Luweero and Bugiri. Connectors mainly use WhatsApp, which works for non-literate members through audio and video, to offer subsidized weather-index insurance, solar irrigation, drought-tolerant seed, soil testing, machinery hire, post-harvest services and produce aggregation. Moderation by not-for-profit organizations builds trust, and assured off-take raises production. Barriers include distrust of pre-payment, reluctance to pay for services, and side-selling against contracts. Policy recommendations cover digital literacy for women and people over 35, phones on credit, rural connectivity, zero-rated agricultural content, ROI models for private extension, seed capital for youth agritech, and tax incentives.