Digital agriculture platforms: Understanding innovations in rural finance and logistics in Uganda’s agrifood sector

Digital agriculture platforms: Understanding innovations in rural finance and logistics in Uganda’s agrifood sector

Author: Ajambo, Susan

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2023-02-14

Total Pages: 53

ISBN-13:

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Agriculture is the mainstay of Uganda’s economy, contributing about 25% of the GDP, a third of the ex port earnings and almost all the country’s food requirements. Yet, the sector still faces various challenges that affect production and the income derived from it. Systemic issues impact smallholder farmers' livelihoods across markets, land, skills, and capital, with cross-cutting social exclusion issues. Effective application of digital agricultural technologies has emerged as a catalyst in addressing productivity and efficiency challenges and enhancing inclusiveness in agri-food systems. Digital technologies have shown potential to address bottlenecks in access to extension services, marketing systems, suitable financial products, reliable weather information, transport services and logistics as well as supply chain management. Scaling of digital agricultural technologies in Uganda is critical for improving productivity and addressing challenges in the agricultural sector. However, for scaling to be undertaken effectively and inclusively, there is need to address the barriers that limit the use of digital innovations for some populations. However, the issues surrounding scaling and inclusivity of digital services are not well understood. This study therefore sought to contribute to bridging this knowledge gap through an assessment of the existing digitally enabled innovative cross-value chain services to gain insights into how the services are addressing inefficiencies, creating opportunities for improving efficiency and inclusiveness as well as identifying promising innovations for scaling. Specifically, the study focused on innovations in finance and logistics for value chains. For finance, the study specifically looked at digital payments, credit, and insurance, while for logistics, the focus was on supply chain management, transportation, traceability, digital platforms for e-commerce, and (cold) storage across value chains.


Book Synopsis Digital agriculture platforms: Understanding innovations in rural finance and logistics in Uganda’s agrifood sector by : Ajambo, Susan

Download or read book Digital agriculture platforms: Understanding innovations in rural finance and logistics in Uganda’s agrifood sector written by Ajambo, Susan and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2023-02-14 with total page 53 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Agriculture is the mainstay of Uganda’s economy, contributing about 25% of the GDP, a third of the ex port earnings and almost all the country’s food requirements. Yet, the sector still faces various challenges that affect production and the income derived from it. Systemic issues impact smallholder farmers' livelihoods across markets, land, skills, and capital, with cross-cutting social exclusion issues. Effective application of digital agricultural technologies has emerged as a catalyst in addressing productivity and efficiency challenges and enhancing inclusiveness in agri-food systems. Digital technologies have shown potential to address bottlenecks in access to extension services, marketing systems, suitable financial products, reliable weather information, transport services and logistics as well as supply chain management. Scaling of digital agricultural technologies in Uganda is critical for improving productivity and addressing challenges in the agricultural sector. However, for scaling to be undertaken effectively and inclusively, there is need to address the barriers that limit the use of digital innovations for some populations. However, the issues surrounding scaling and inclusivity of digital services are not well understood. This study therefore sought to contribute to bridging this knowledge gap through an assessment of the existing digitally enabled innovative cross-value chain services to gain insights into how the services are addressing inefficiencies, creating opportunities for improving efficiency and inclusiveness as well as identifying promising innovations for scaling. Specifically, the study focused on innovations in finance and logistics for value chains. For finance, the study specifically looked at digital payments, credit, and insurance, while for logistics, the focus was on supply chain management, transportation, traceability, digital platforms for e-commerce, and (cold) storage across value chains.


Financial services and logistics innovation within agri-food value chains: A conceptual framework

Financial services and logistics innovation within agri-food value chains: A conceptual framework

Author: Ambler, Kate

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2023-01-03

Total Pages: 8

ISBN-13:

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Finance and logistics services for agricultural value chains based on technological innovations exist in several LMICs, but they are not often extended to small holders or SMEs working in the agricultural midstream. We consider the constraints to adoption of those services faced by smallholders or SMEs. Finance and logistics improvements hold promise for increased employment, but research is needed to understand where employment gains are most likely. All value chain innovations must carefully consider possible equity-efficiency tradeoffs to ensure change does not negatively affect poor and vulnerable populations.


Book Synopsis Financial services and logistics innovation within agri-food value chains: A conceptual framework by : Ambler, Kate

Download or read book Financial services and logistics innovation within agri-food value chains: A conceptual framework written by Ambler, Kate and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2023-01-03 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Finance and logistics services for agricultural value chains based on technological innovations exist in several LMICs, but they are not often extended to small holders or SMEs working in the agricultural midstream. We consider the constraints to adoption of those services faced by smallholders or SMEs. Finance and logistics improvements hold promise for increased employment, but research is needed to understand where employment gains are most likely. All value chain innovations must carefully consider possible equity-efficiency tradeoffs to ensure change does not negatively affect poor and vulnerable populations.


What's Cooking

What's Cooking

Author: Kateryna Schroeder

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2021-04-15

Total Pages: 185

ISBN-13: 1464816581

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The digital agriculture revolution holds a promise to build an agriculture and food system that is efficient, environmentally sustainable, and equitable, one that can help deliver the Sustainable Development Goals. Unlike past technological revolutions in agriculture, which began on farms, the current revolution is being sparked at multiple points along the agrifood value chain. The change is driven by the ability to collect, use, and analyze massive amounts of machine-readable data about practically every aspect of the value chain, and by the emergence of digital platforms disrupting existing business models. All this allows for drastically reduced transaction costs and pervasive information asymmetries that plague the agrifood system. The success of the digital transformation, however, is not guaranteed as the risks it brings are numerous, including those related to data governance and inadequate competition within and between digital platforms. What’s Cooking: Digital Transformation of the Agrifood System investigates how digital technologies can accelerate the transformation of the agrifood system by increasing efficiency on the farm; improving farmers’ access to output, input, and financial markets; strengthening quality control and traceability; and improving the design and delivery of agriculture policies. It also identifies a key role for the public sector in maximizing the benefits of this process while minimizing its risks, through enabling an innovation ecosystem featuring open datasets, digital platforms, digital entrepreneurship, digital payment systems, and digital skills and encouraging equitable technology adoption.


Book Synopsis What's Cooking by : Kateryna Schroeder

Download or read book What's Cooking written by Kateryna Schroeder and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2021-04-15 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The digital agriculture revolution holds a promise to build an agriculture and food system that is efficient, environmentally sustainable, and equitable, one that can help deliver the Sustainable Development Goals. Unlike past technological revolutions in agriculture, which began on farms, the current revolution is being sparked at multiple points along the agrifood value chain. The change is driven by the ability to collect, use, and analyze massive amounts of machine-readable data about practically every aspect of the value chain, and by the emergence of digital platforms disrupting existing business models. All this allows for drastically reduced transaction costs and pervasive information asymmetries that plague the agrifood system. The success of the digital transformation, however, is not guaranteed as the risks it brings are numerous, including those related to data governance and inadequate competition within and between digital platforms. What’s Cooking: Digital Transformation of the Agrifood System investigates how digital technologies can accelerate the transformation of the agrifood system by increasing efficiency on the farm; improving farmers’ access to output, input, and financial markets; strengthening quality control and traceability; and improving the design and delivery of agriculture policies. It also identifies a key role for the public sector in maximizing the benefits of this process while minimizing its risks, through enabling an innovation ecosystem featuring open datasets, digital platforms, digital entrepreneurship, digital payment systems, and digital skills and encouraging equitable technology adoption.


Digital technologies in agriculture and rural areas

Digital technologies in agriculture and rural areas

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2019-06-01

Total Pages: 152

ISBN-13: 9251315469

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This report aims to identify the different scenarios where the process of digital transformation is taking place in agriculture. This identifies those aspects of basic conditions, such as those of infrastructure and networks, affordability, education and institutional support. In addition, enablers are identified, which are the factors that allow adopting and integrating changes in the production and decision-making processes. Finally identify through cases, existing literature and reports how substantive changes are taking place in the adoption of digital technologies in agriculture.


Book Synopsis Digital technologies in agriculture and rural areas by : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Download or read book Digital technologies in agriculture and rural areas written by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2019-06-01 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report aims to identify the different scenarios where the process of digital transformation is taking place in agriculture. This identifies those aspects of basic conditions, such as those of infrastructure and networks, affordability, education and institutional support. In addition, enablers are identified, which are the factors that allow adopting and integrating changes in the production and decision-making processes. Finally identify through cases, existing literature and reports how substantive changes are taking place in the adoption of digital technologies in agriculture.


How farmers are making the most of digital technologies in East Africa

How farmers are making the most of digital technologies in East Africa

Author: Pye-Smith, C.

Publisher: CTA

Published: 2018-02-14

Total Pages: 20

ISBN-13: 9290816236

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Information and communication technologies (ICTs) offer unprecedented opportunities to transform agriculture in Africa. ICT innovations are opening up exciting opportunities for young entrepreneurs to engage at various stages of the agricultural value chain, from developing solutions that make the agri-food sector more productive to setting up services that facilitate market access for smallholder producers. The stories told here show that ICTs are enabling farmers to access information about everything from the weather to market prices, from agricultural best practice to controlling pests and diseases. Mobile platforms are also helping farmers to gain access to credit and therefore the means to improve their productivity and incomes. In short, ICTs are helping to make agriculture more profitable and sustainable.


Book Synopsis How farmers are making the most of digital technologies in East Africa by : Pye-Smith, C.

Download or read book How farmers are making the most of digital technologies in East Africa written by Pye-Smith, C. and published by CTA. This book was released on 2018-02-14 with total page 20 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Information and communication technologies (ICTs) offer unprecedented opportunities to transform agriculture in Africa. ICT innovations are opening up exciting opportunities for young entrepreneurs to engage at various stages of the agricultural value chain, from developing solutions that make the agri-food sector more productive to setting up services that facilitate market access for smallholder producers. The stories told here show that ICTs are enabling farmers to access information about everything from the weather to market prices, from agricultural best practice to controlling pests and diseases. Mobile platforms are also helping farmers to gain access to credit and therefore the means to improve their productivity and incomes. In short, ICTs are helping to make agriculture more profitable and sustainable.


Overcoming challenges to digital agribusiness start-ups

Overcoming challenges to digital agribusiness start-ups

Author: Kropff, Wietske

Publisher: CTA

Published: 2019-03-01

Total Pages: 8

ISBN-13:

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The recent CTA workshop on ‘catalysing actionable knowledge to enhance next-generation ACP agribusiness through digitalisation’ identified five intersecting drivers that explain what farmer-oriented agribusinesses expect to achieve by investing in digitalisation: reduced risk, raised productivity, increased efficiency, improved decisions, and enhanced market access. Participants argued that digital interventions all serve one or more of these, depending on specific local needs and situations. A critical factor underpinning what works in all these areas is the economic sustainability of the business models used to deliver value and services.


Book Synopsis Overcoming challenges to digital agribusiness start-ups by : Kropff, Wietske

Download or read book Overcoming challenges to digital agribusiness start-ups written by Kropff, Wietske and published by CTA. This book was released on 2019-03-01 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The recent CTA workshop on ‘catalysing actionable knowledge to enhance next-generation ACP agribusiness through digitalisation’ identified five intersecting drivers that explain what farmer-oriented agribusinesses expect to achieve by investing in digitalisation: reduced risk, raised productivity, increased efficiency, improved decisions, and enhanced market access. Participants argued that digital interventions all serve one or more of these, depending on specific local needs and situations. A critical factor underpinning what works in all these areas is the economic sustainability of the business models used to deliver value and services.


Digital excellence in agriculture report

Digital excellence in agriculture report

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2023-06-20

Total Pages: 171

ISBN-13: 925137709X

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This report is the outcome of the Digital Excellence in Agriculture: FAO-ITU regional contest on good practices advancing digital agriculture in Europe and Central Asia, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Office for Europe and Central Asia and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Offices for Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Launched in November 2020, the contest sought to identify, showcase and celebrate good practices and innovative solutions that have proven successful in advancing the digital transformation of agriculture in the regions. With nearly 200 applicants from 36 countries in the regions, the initiative revealed a diverse, dynamic and future-thinking ecosystem of innovators and problem-solvers. This report summarizes the main trends in digital services and products, the most important technologies used, as well as the difficulties and challenges that arise in the development of digital agricultural applications. Presenting the 29 finalists, the report shares the key challenges applicants are addressing, the digital technologies they are using to succeed, their journeys and their plans for the near future based on the information provided. The report also analyses how the technology infrastructure, the regulatory and business environment, the availability of human capital, and the COVID-19 pandemic represented both challenges and opportunities for digital agriculture practitioners. It provides useful information for developers and service providers already active in this field or planning to enter it, as well as guidance for decision-makers on possible points of intervention.


Book Synopsis Digital excellence in agriculture report by : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 

Download or read book Digital excellence in agriculture report written by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2023-06-20 with total page 171 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report is the outcome of the Digital Excellence in Agriculture: FAO-ITU regional contest on good practices advancing digital agriculture in Europe and Central Asia, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Office for Europe and Central Asia and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Offices for Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Launched in November 2020, the contest sought to identify, showcase and celebrate good practices and innovative solutions that have proven successful in advancing the digital transformation of agriculture in the regions. With nearly 200 applicants from 36 countries in the regions, the initiative revealed a diverse, dynamic and future-thinking ecosystem of innovators and problem-solvers. This report summarizes the main trends in digital services and products, the most important technologies used, as well as the difficulties and challenges that arise in the development of digital agricultural applications. Presenting the 29 finalists, the report shares the key challenges applicants are addressing, the digital technologies they are using to succeed, their journeys and their plans for the near future based on the information provided. The report also analyses how the technology infrastructure, the regulatory and business environment, the availability of human capital, and the COVID-19 pandemic represented both challenges and opportunities for digital agriculture practitioners. It provides useful information for developers and service providers already active in this field or planning to enter it, as well as guidance for decision-makers on possible points of intervention.


Innovations and policy design for development for cross-value chain services (logistics and financial services)

Innovations and policy design for development for cross-value chain services (logistics and financial services)

Author: Balana, Bedru

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2023-01-31

Total Pages: 55

ISBN-13:

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WP3 intends to address the question: How can cross-food value chain and market services function better to increase employment and boost income of smallholders and SMEs? The WP focuses on two types of cross-value chain services, logistics and financial services. (1) logistics services – supply chain management, transportation, traceability, digital platforms for e-com merce, and (cold) storage. (2) value-chain financial services – mainly focusing on digital financial services (DFS) that facilitate trans actions, savings, access to and use of credit, and insurance. The logistics services in agri-food systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are often targeted at large-scale enterprises with greater market power and less accessible to smallholder farmers and small and micro enterprises (SMEs). WP3 aims to assess the ways in which these emerging logistics services (including digital platforms) can be cost-effectively targeted at smallholder farmers and agri-food SMEs. Regarding DFS, the WP will investigate cost-effective ways of improving access to and adoption of DFS among smallholders and agri-food SMEs, especially among women and youth. Though these emerging DFS appear to have a high potential to benefit smallholders and SMEs across the agri-food value chains in LMICs, they need a reliable internet connection, a suitable mobile phone network, and a broad network of mobile money agents to be effective. WP3 thus aims to identify innovations/emerging logistics and DFS and test their effectiveness to smallholders and SMEs using randomized control trials (RCTs) in pilots, with the goal of country-specific scalable designs.


Book Synopsis Innovations and policy design for development for cross-value chain services (logistics and financial services) by : Balana, Bedru

Download or read book Innovations and policy design for development for cross-value chain services (logistics and financial services) written by Balana, Bedru and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2023-01-31 with total page 55 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: WP3 intends to address the question: How can cross-food value chain and market services function better to increase employment and boost income of smallholders and SMEs? The WP focuses on two types of cross-value chain services, logistics and financial services. (1) logistics services – supply chain management, transportation, traceability, digital platforms for e-com merce, and (cold) storage. (2) value-chain financial services – mainly focusing on digital financial services (DFS) that facilitate trans actions, savings, access to and use of credit, and insurance. The logistics services in agri-food systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are often targeted at large-scale enterprises with greater market power and less accessible to smallholder farmers and small and micro enterprises (SMEs). WP3 aims to assess the ways in which these emerging logistics services (including digital platforms) can be cost-effectively targeted at smallholder farmers and agri-food SMEs. Regarding DFS, the WP will investigate cost-effective ways of improving access to and adoption of DFS among smallholders and agri-food SMEs, especially among women and youth. Though these emerging DFS appear to have a high potential to benefit smallholders and SMEs across the agri-food value chains in LMICs, they need a reliable internet connection, a suitable mobile phone network, and a broad network of mobile money agents to be effective. WP3 thus aims to identify innovations/emerging logistics and DFS and test their effectiveness to smallholders and SMEs using randomized control trials (RCTs) in pilots, with the goal of country-specific scalable designs.


Digital agriculture report: Rural e-commerce development experience from China

Digital agriculture report: Rural e-commerce development experience from China

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2021-08-25

Total Pages: 64

ISBN-13: 9251345104

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This publication, produced by FAO and Zhejiang University, examines how rural e-commerce could advance the digital transformation of agri-food systems, including increasing production efficiency, expanding farmers’ market access, improving poverty alleviation, fostering agricultural entrepreneurship, and attracting young generations back to their villages for economic revival and rural revitalization. It is highlighted that an enabling ecosystem with favourable government policies and strategies, public-private partnerships and innovative business models is of great importance to accelerate the development of rural areas in China, and generate larger economic, social and environmental impacts. As the largest developing country in the world, the experience of digital agriculture transformation in China could be shared with other developing countries. The report also discusses some of the challenges encountered and lessons learned during the development of rural e-commerce, as well as the proposals for the way forward.


Book Synopsis Digital agriculture report: Rural e-commerce development experience from China by : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Download or read book Digital agriculture report: Rural e-commerce development experience from China written by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2021-08-25 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This publication, produced by FAO and Zhejiang University, examines how rural e-commerce could advance the digital transformation of agri-food systems, including increasing production efficiency, expanding farmers’ market access, improving poverty alleviation, fostering agricultural entrepreneurship, and attracting young generations back to their villages for economic revival and rural revitalization. It is highlighted that an enabling ecosystem with favourable government policies and strategies, public-private partnerships and innovative business models is of great importance to accelerate the development of rural areas in China, and generate larger economic, social and environmental impacts. As the largest developing country in the world, the experience of digital agriculture transformation in China could be shared with other developing countries. The report also discusses some of the challenges encountered and lessons learned during the development of rural e-commerce, as well as the proposals for the way forward.


Innovations in Rural and Agriculture Finance

Innovations in Rural and Agriculture Finance

Author: Renate Kloeppinger-Todd

Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst

Published: 2010-01-01

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13: 0896296687

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Everywhere in the world, small agricultural producers are entrepreneurs, traders, investors, and consumers, all rolled into one. In all these roles, small agricultural households constantly seek to use available financial instruments to improve their productivity and secure the best possible consumption and investment choices for their families. But the package of financial services available to small farmers in developing countries is severely limited, especially for those living in remote areas with no access to basic market infrastructure.


Book Synopsis Innovations in Rural and Agriculture Finance by : Renate Kloeppinger-Todd

Download or read book Innovations in Rural and Agriculture Finance written by Renate Kloeppinger-Todd and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2010-01-01 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Everywhere in the world, small agricultural producers are entrepreneurs, traders, investors, and consumers, all rolled into one. In all these roles, small agricultural households constantly seek to use available financial instruments to improve their productivity and secure the best possible consumption and investment choices for their families. But the package of financial services available to small farmers in developing countries is severely limited, especially for those living in remote areas with no access to basic market infrastructure.