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ICT Applications and Agricultural Input Supply Companies: Highlights from Africa

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Publication date
25/02/2013
Number of Pages
6
Language:
English
Type of Publication:
Working Papers & Briefs
Focus Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa
Focus Topic:
Agricultural Value Chains / Agri-Businesses
Information Technologies
Type of Risk:
Logistical & infrastructural
Managerial & operational
Type of Risk Managment Option:
Risk assessment
Commodity:
Crops
Author
Action for Enterprise
Organization
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

This briefing paper presents the results of an assessment carried out to identify, document and share examples of ICTs that are being used by African agricultural input supply companies to better manage their distribution networks and provide important products, services, information and technical support to their farmer clients. The assessment was carried out between June and September 2012, and included field visits to Kenya and Zambia to interview agricultural input supply companies. This resulted in the identification of a number of ICT applications being used by these companies to improve operations and provide benefits to farmers.

The paper includes a description of agricultural input supply companies, selected ICT applications they are using, and the impact these applications are having both on their operations and with farmers they sell to. It also includes implications for donor programs and ways to facilitate the integration of ICTs by targeted companies.