Date post: | 13-Apr-2017 |
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Assessment of socio-economic,
institutional and political constraints
and opportunities for RiceAdvice
scaling out and up
Espérance ZOSSOU
IS/IP Specialist, AfricaRice
Outline
1. Background
2. Methodology
3. Overview of results
1. Background
• RiceAdvice is a free android based application tool for
helping farmers to improve rice yield and profitability in Africa
• RiceAdvice is an opportunity
to achieve AfricaRice’s goal :
increase the productivity and
profitability of the rice sector
• This tool has been
extensively validated and
fine-tuned in farmers’ fields in
consultation with them
1. Background
• The challenge is how to succeed the scaling up and out of
this technology for a long-time and sustainable adoption by
the end users?
• Scaling out involves diffusing
RiceAdvice technology from
place to place.
• Scaling up involves dealing
with institutional environment
that may enable or limit its
adoption
?
1. Background
• Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Innovation Systems (RAAIS)
is a multi-method tool that combines qualitative and
quantitative data collection and analysis techniques
• RAAIS allows triangulation
and validation of data with
different stakeholders‘ groups
for collective action
• Using RAAIS in RiceAdvice
scaling=> to address complex
challenges more effectively
2. Methodology
• Main stakeholders : Paddy/seed rice farmers, services
providers, IP team, rice seed companies, local
entrepreneurs/youth/Private sector, extension agents, NGOs / civil
society, local communication agents (e.g. rural radio), local
authorities / Government, Research and training.
• Qualitative and quantitative data to be collected through the
combination of 4 mains methods / steps:
2. Methodology
• Step 1: Semi-structured in-depth interviews
• Using of focus group discussion with representatives of stakeholders
• provide insight into the knowledge of the technology, constraints and
benefits in using it, potential constraints, opportunities and strategies
for scaling (up and out), collaboration between stakeholder groups,
effectiveness of policies/ institutions
• Step 2: Multi-stakeholder workshops
• Facilitate different groups of stakeholders to identify, categorize
and analyze constraints/ opportunities in the process of
RiceAdvice scaling
• A maximum of 30 participants will attend the workshop (3
representatives from each of above stakeholders
2. Methodology
• Step 3: Questionnaire
• Quantitative data to provide more insights into the socio-economic
informations, the quality of agricultural extension received by farmers,
access to RiceAdvise, access to agricultural inputs, impact on
livelihoods, etc.
• simple random sampling of farmers and Service providers reached
• Step 4: Secondary data analysis
• Written data/documents with relevance for the analysis of innovation
scaling approaches and challenges faced, complex agricultural
problem, the functioning of the agricultural innovation system,
agricultural education and training, agricultural policies, etc.
3. Overview of results
2011 AfricaRice Science Week and GRiSP-Africa Science Forum
12-16 September 2011, Cotonou, Benin
3.1 Constraints faced when using RiceAdvice
Output of RiceAdvice not available in local language and
most of farmers are illiterate
Financial poverty leading to a lack of money to access
recommended dose of fertilizer in the appropriate period
Limit access of women to RiceAdvice because the service
providers are mostly men. Women are limited by social
norms in communicating with men outside their families
Recommendation of doses of fertilizer in kg and not in local
measures to which the producers are more accustomed
Risk aversion to the fertilizer recommended by RiceAdvice
3.1 Constraints faced when using RiceAdvice
Lack of confidence of farmers during the first contacts
Requirement of fertilizers before accepting collaboration
High cost of fertilizers => difficult to convince them
Non-compliance => more follow-up
Reluctance of some farmers during the farm size getting
Translation of output from English to local language
Difficult access of farms (ecological/geographical/financial)
Low number of services providers (less women)
Lack of sensitization / awareness of farmers
Time issues to move from a place to another / interview
3.1 Constraints faced when using RiceAdvice
Overview of constraints faced by RVC stakeholders in using RiceAdvice
• SP, EA & farmers are those who faced more challenges in all
areas
• Most important constraints encountered by RVC actors are
respectively of socio-cultural, economic, political/institutional
and technological dimension
3.2 Benefits from using RiceAdvice
Increase of the yield of 30%
Reduction by the half of fertilizer quantity => saving money
and less pollution
Reduction of pests and diseases in the fields
Increase of the number of rice plants during transplantation
Getting good quality paddy/seeds (less empty grains)
Strengthening relations between RVC stakeholders
3.2 Benefits from using RiceAdvice
Knowledge of the exact area of the farm
Improvement of knowledge (use fertilizer, ICT materials,
GAP, …)
Social prestige
Increase of the IP membership
Improvement of livelihoods
3.3 SWOT analysis of RiceAdvice as a toolStrengths Weaknesses
Easy to carry
With clear benefit (yield increase,
reduction of fertilizer quantity, reduction
pest and disease, …)
Simple to use
Can be used for several farmers (no
limit on the application capacity)
Diversity of parameters of the tool
well-suited to several ecologies in
Africa
Output only in English
Use depends on the availability of
electricity
Need for electronic material for its use
Focuses only on chemical fertilizers
Need follow up
As it is an electronic material, a lot of
effort to convince producers
Opportunities Threats
Job opportunity
NICT promotion and use in agriculture
Favourable environment for the
promotion of ICT materials (android
phone, social network, …)
Social interaction with RVC
stakeholders
Poverty (financial, monetary)
Cultural/Religion barriers (lack women
access to RiceAdvice services
Cost of ICT materials
Takes time
3.4 Potential constraints in RiceAdvice scalingSocio-cultural Economical Political/
institutional
technological Biophysical
Risk aversion first
contacts
Culture/religion
limiting women
Language Bias &
high illiterate rate
Non-commitment to
take it as business
Non-compliance by
some farmers
Land issues
Using of local
measures for inputs
Reluctance
electronic tool
Gratuity mind”
expecting
something with no
self-contribution
financial access
fertilizers
financial access
electronic
material
Financial issue
SP transport
Low N0 of SP
Financial issues
dissemination
Financial issues
more training
(use of the tool,
skill to be more
confident with
farmers, …)
Financial
capital for
entrepreneurs to
invest in this
business
Less promotion
of gender
High rate of
illiteracy in RA
Physical
accessibility to
tablets
accessibility to
electricity
“Lack of roads
to access farms
High cost of
fertilizers
Land issues
Access to credit
Interconnection
between
institutions
organizations
related to the
RVC...
Recommendation
in kg and not in
local measures
Output in English
Need of regular
follow-up
Lack of capacities
in the handling of
electronical
materials
need of training
before using the
technology
Absence of
recommendation
on organic
fertilizer
Absence of some
rice varieties in
the RiceAdvice
application
Difficulty
to access
some
farms due
to the
relief/
ecology
3.4 Potential constraints in RiceAdvice scaling
Constraints are more economic, socio-cultural and
political/institutional
3.5 Strategies for scaling
Use the leaders of
associations to take over
Use awareness tools (rural
radio, television, public
criers, advertising board,
WOM, …)
Training of trainers
Demonstration Plots
Increase the number of SP,
including women as SP
Mark RiceAdvice farms to
show the difference
Organize awareness-raising
campaigns
3.5 Strategies for scaling
Convince opinion leaders/ local
authorities
Teaching the technology in
Universities
Strengthen public-private
partnership
Farmer field day with more
demonstration
Frequent exchange meetings
between EA, SP and farmers
leaders
Organize service providing as
an enterprise
Strengthen SP capacities
entrepreneurship & leadersip
3.6 Opportunities to be taken
Existence of farmers associations
Availability of local medial
Willing of Government to promote
the rice sector
Employment opportunities
Interest of partners to support
Easy handling of the tool
Agro-ecological & natural potential
for rice production
Seed companies & NGOs working
confident with farmers
Use staff & experiences of existing
organizations (e-extension,
community based extension…)
3.6 Opportunities to be taken
Existence of success stories from
farmers & SP
Capacity of youth / Service
providers to translate English in
local languages
Interest of local authorities to
support the scaling
Willing of Sassakawa to make a
partnership for business plan
Willingness rural radio to promote
the technology partnership
Social interaction between farmers
Farmers 4500/ha SP are expecting
2410 Naira / ha on average (in-
depth studies)
3.7 Potential impact of RiceAdvice on livelihood
Overview of Potential impact of RiceAdvice on livelihoods
users of RiceAdvice (Farmers and service providers /
extension agents) noted an improvement in their livelihoods,
specifically social capital, human capital, financial capital and
physical capital.
Thank for your attention
Open for discussion