Using radio and cell phones to speed adoption of better farming practices in Ghana : project profile

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Utilisation de campagnes radiophoniques et de téléphones cellulaires pour accélérer l’adoption de meilleures pratiques agricoles au Ghana : profil de projetThis work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)A trial in Uganda found that mobile-enabled extension agents helped increase crop sales by 22%. In Kenya, sales jumped 56% when the agents connected farmers to credit using Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Trials throughout Africa demonstrate these efforts are most effective when led by the private sector. Results include increased yields, higher incomes, and greater adoption of good farming practices. This project brief proposes that researchers work with industry partners to establish conditions for scaling up, profitability, and long-term sustainability of a private-sector led ICT-enabled extension service in Ghana