Background
AGRA is a proudly African-led institution focused on scaling agricultural innovations that help smallholder farmers towards increased incomes, better livelihoods, and improved food security. We understand that African farmers need uniquely African solutions to the environmental and agricultural challenges they face, enabling them to sustainably boost production and gain access to rapidly growing agricultural markets. In short, AGRA’s mission is to transform the lives of smallholder farmers from that of a solitary struggle for survival to a business that thrives.
Since 2006, we have worked with our partners, governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector businesses, and more; to deliver a set of proven solutions to smallholder farmers and indigenous African agricultural enterprises. We put smallholder farmers first on the agenda, recognizing that no country has moved from low income to middle income without agricultural transformation.
For more information about AGRA, please visit www.agra.org.
AGRA is committed to transforming agriculture across Africa by promoting productivity, resilience, and sustainability. Digital agriculture presents a significant opportunity to enhance smallholder farmers’ access to information, markets, financial services, and climate-smart practices. Digital solutions in agriculture can drive efficiency, increase incomes, and make farming more attractive to young people. Technologies such as mobile-based advisory services, precision farming tools, digital financial services, IoT (Internet of Things), e-extension, mechanization service provision, drones, and e-commerce platforms are revolutionizing how agricultural businesses operate.
Despite the proliferation of digital tools across countries, there is limited information for stakeholders on which digital tools are available leading to limited adoption and scalability of the same. In addition, there is limited understanding of which existing solutions are both viable, user friendly, sustainable and scalable in improving work or creating new opportunities for young people in the agriculture sector.
To maximize the impact of digital solutions, AGRA seeks to conduct a Digital Agriculture Readiness Assessment to evaluate the current landscape, identify gaps, and recommend strategic interventions for scaling digital agriculture initiatives across its focus countries. This ToR provides a structured framework for conducting a comprehensive Digital Agriculture Readiness Assessment to map out existing digital solutions, assess their effectiveness, and identify opportunities for scaling up interventions that align with national agricultural transformation strategies. It will inform AGRA’s strategic interventions in leveraging technology for agricultural transformation.
Objectives
The primary objectives of this assessment are:
a) Evaluate the current state of digital agriculture in AGRA’s focus countries, including existing technologies, Agtech companies, policies, and infrastructure.
b) Assess the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of these solutions in different agricultural sub-sectors.
c) Assess the readiness of smallholder farmers, agribusinesses, and governments to adopt digital agriculture solutions.
d) Identify key challenges and opportunities in digital agriculture adoption, including barriers related to connectivity, affordability, literacy, and policy.
e) Map existing digital agriculture initiatives supported by AGRA and other stakeholders to avoid duplication and enhance synergies.
f) Provide actionable recommendations to strengthen AGRA’s digital agriculture strategy, including potential partnerships, investments, and policy advocacy.
Qualifications and Experience
