Empowering Farmers: Education, Extension Services, and Capacity Building for Agricultural Technology

Africa’s agricultural transformation is not just about deploying digital tools and satellite systems; it’s about empowering the people who will use them. At the heart of this transformation are the continent’s farmers, many of whom still rely on indigenous knowledge passed down through generations. While these traditional practices hold immense value, they must be harmonized with modern agricultural technologies to create a sustainable and productive farming future. To unlock the full potential of AgTech in Africa, there is the need to prioritize farmer education, access to extension services, and effective knowledge transfer systems that blend science with local wisdom.

From the Classroom to the Field: Structured Agricultural Education

Efforts to strengthen agricultural education are growing. Programs like the Africa Agribusiness Qualification (AAQ) have helped farmers and agripreneurs develop critical skills in enterprise management, value addition, and farm business planning. Backed by the AGCO Agriculture Foundation, such initiatives offer practical training that aids farmers in seeing themselves not just as growers, but as entrepreneurs.

This shift in mindset is essential. For too long, farming has been viewed merely as a subsistence activity, rather than a viable, growth-oriented enterprise. However, with rising market demands, fluctuating input prices, and opportunities in value chains, today’s farmer must think like a businessperson. This means understanding profit margins, supply and demand, risk management, and investment strategies. Treating the farm as a business allows farmers to plan strategically, access credit, form cooperatives, and scale operations sustainably. By adopting this entrepreneurial approach, farmers position themselves to thrive, not just survive in a competitive agricultural economy.

Bridging Gaps with Digital and Informal Learning

Formal education, while essential, is not always accessible to farmers in remote communities. This is where digital literacy initiatives play a transformative role. Platforms pioneering localized content available in indigenous languages and tailored to local agricultural systems is useful. Through mobile phones, radio broadcasts, WhatsApp groups, and video tutorials, farmers are learning how to optimize irrigation, apply integrated pest management, or use weather apps to plan planting schedules.

In Uganda, the Ministry of Agriculture has partnered with the private sector to deliver SMS-based guidance to cassava farmers facing pest outbreaks. Similarly, in Kenya, programs by Digital Green use videos featuring local farmers to teach best practices, reinforcing the power of relatable, visual, and culturally embedded learning.

The Backbone of Innovation: Extension Services

Agricultural extension systems remain a critical mechanism for knowledge transfer. These services bring the latest research, practices, and tools directly to the farm gate. Extension officers act as a bridge between scientific communities and local farmers, customizing advice based on location-specific challenges.

In Ethiopia, the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) has digitized its extension network, equipping agents with tablets to deliver geo-referenced advice. In a few years, this program has improved fertilizer recommendations, reduced input waste, and led to significant yield improvements across multiple regions.

However, in many countries, the extension workforce is still under-resourced. Increasing investment in training, salaries, and mobility for extension agents is essential to scale their impact.

Learning from One Another: Indigenous and Peer-Based Knowledge

It’s equally important to recognize that farmers are not passive recipients of knowledge; they are innovators. Indigenous knowledge systems such as traditional weather forecasting, intercropping techniques, or organic pest deterrents offer time-tested solutions to local challenges. For example, in Burkina Faso, Zai pits (traditional planting holes that trap water) are still used to restore degraded land and boost yields in dry zones.

Blending these insights with scientific methods creates more resilient and sustainable solutions. Farmer Field Schools (FFS) have become a popular platform for this exchange, enabling groups of farmers to experiment with new techniques, share feedback, and adapt practices to their specific context. In Tanzania, FFS have helped rice growers transition to the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), resulting in 30–50% yield increases.

While working as an extension agent with cocoa farmers, I saw this knowledge firsthand. In one village, farmers were struggling with black pod disease, which threatened to ruin an entire harvest. The community experimented with pruning schedules, local ash application, and banana leaf mulching to reduce humidity around the pods. My role at certain points was to listen, document, and bring in complementary insights such as spacing techniques, downsides of mulching having the capacity to increase relative humidity and by effect create favorable environment for the disease and biofungicides so that their homegrown solutions could be enhanced rather than replaced. What emerged wasn’t a one-size-fits-all recommendation, but a localized, farmer-driven strategy rooted in both tradition and science.

These moments reinforce a simple truth, empowering farmers means acknowledging them as researchers, problem-solvers, and co-creators of knowledge. By valuing and integrating what they already know, we don’t just transfer technology, we build trust, relevance, and long-term success in agricultural transformation.

The Role of Technology: Personalized, Accessible, Actionable

Technology is amplifying these education and extension efforts. Mobile advisory services like iCow in Kenya allow livestock farmers to track gestation cycles, receive feeding tips, and access veterinary advice, all via SMS. In Ghana, Esoko provides real-time data on input prices, weather forecasts, and market demands in multiple local languages. These platforms don’t just provide information, they make it personal and actionable, allowing farmers to make better decisions based on their specific crops, location, and circumstances.

Africa’s AgTech revolution will not be achieved solely through drones and apps, it will be powered by people who know how to use them effectively. Building that capability requires investment in education systems, revitalization of extension services, and genuine respect for the value of indigenous and farmer-shared knowledge. When empowered with the right tools, training, and support, African farmers won’t just keep up with innovation, they drive it. And when they do, the benefits will extend far beyond individual farms, uplifting entire communities and creating a more food-secure future for the continent.

"the best culture is agriculture"

Akwasi Tagoe

 

Building the Backbone: Infrastructure for Africa’s AgTech Revolution

 Africa holds immense potential to become a global agricultural powerhouse, boasting 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land and a youthful workforce. However, the continent's agricultural productivity remains hampered by inadequate infrastructure. To harness the benefits of agricultural technology (AgTech), foundational investments in infrastructure are paramount.

Reliable electricity and internet access are foundational to the successful deployment of modern agricultural technologies. These utilities support innovations such as precision farming, which relies on sensors and data analytics to optimize planting and irrigation; mobile-based advisory services that deliver real-time guidance to farmers; and digital marketplaces that connect producers directly with buyers, improving transparency and pricing. Without consistent power and connectivity, these solutions remain out of reach for many rural communities. In Kenya, the Last Mile Connectivity Project has made significant progress in addressing this gap by extending the national electricity grid to rural and peri-urban areas, thereby enabling farmers to operate irrigation systems, use post-harvest storage technologies, and power cold chain logistics, all essential for reducing losses and increasing productivity. Similarly, Rwanda’s partnership with companies like Zipline to operate drone delivery systems exemplifies how improved connectivity can transform agricultural logistics. These drones transport seeds, fertilizers, veterinary supplies, and even medical items to hard-to-reach farming communities in record time, reducing delays that could otherwise compromise production cycles. Together, these examples highlight the critical role of infrastructure in unlocking the full potential of AgTech and driving inclusive agricultural growth.

Efficient transportation networks are vital for reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring that farmers can access markets in a timely and profitable manner. In many rural areas across Africa, poor road conditions, lack of bridges, and seasonal flooding severely limit mobility, making it difficult for farmers to transport their produce before it spoils. Inadequate storage facilities, especially cold storage, further exacerbate food wastage, particularly for perishable crops like fruits and vegetables. Strategic investments in rural road construction, routine maintenance, and the development of cold chain logistics, from refrigerated trucks to community cooling hubs can improve the agricultural value chain by extending shelf life, reducing spoilage, and enabling access to more lucrative markets.

During one of my farm visits, I witnessed firsthand the burden of these infrastructural deficits. A farmer was carrying a large bunch of plantains on his head, walking nearly 8 miles from the mountainous region of Ahankrasu to the nearest market center. After hours of physical exertion under the sun and navigating rough, unpaved paths, he was offered less than $2 for his entire harvest. This nominal payment barely covered the cost of his effort, let alone the value of the produce, and vividly illustrated how infrastructural challenges lead to the undervaluation of farmers’ work. Such conditions not only demoralize producers but also perpetuate cycles of poverty and food insecurity. Closing these infrastructure gaps is not just about roads and storage, it’s about restoring dignity and fairness to those at the foundation of the food supply chain.

AI generated image

Governments play a crucial role in fostering an environment conducive to infrastructure development by setting the regulatory framework, allocating public funds, and coordinating efforts across sectors. Strategic investment in transportation, energy, irrigation, and digital infrastructure is essential for agricultural transformation, especially in rural areas. One effective approach is through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), which allow governments to leverage private sector capital, innovation, and efficiency for large-scale projects that might otherwise be unaffordable or difficult to manage alone. For example, Nigeria's e-wallet fertilizer subsidy program demonstrates how government policy can drive infrastructure utilization through technology. This initiative uses mobile phones to deliver fertilizer vouchers directly to farmers, eliminating middlemen, reducing corruption, and improving timely access to agricultural inputs. Such innovations not only enhance transparency and efficiency but also create digital infrastructure that can be scaled to support broader rural development goals, such as market access, extension services, and financial inclusion.

Strengthening infrastructure is the cornerstone of Africa’s AgTech transformation and a prerequisite for sustainable agricultural development. Without reliable infrastructure, spanning electricity, digital connectivity, transportation, and enabling policy environments,efforts to modernize agriculture will remain fragmented and inaccessible to many rural communities. Electrification empowers farmers to adopt technologies like irrigation systems, cold storage, and agro-processing equipment that can reduce losses and increase productivity. Expanding internet connectivity allows for the integration of precision agriculture tools, mobile advisory platforms, and digital marketplaces that bridge information and market gaps.

Improved transportation infrastructure, including all-weather rural roads and efficient logistics systems, is critical for minimizing post-harvest losses and ensuring that produce reaches markets promptly and in good condition. Equally important are supportive policies and public-private partnerships that create the conditions for scalable innovation and investment. By aligning infrastructure development with agricultural priorities, African countries can unlock the full potential of AgTech to boost productivity, increase incomes, and achieve food security. This comprehensive approach not only addresses the immediate needs of smallholder farmers but also positions agriculture as a powerful engine for inclusive economic growth, job creation, and resilience in the face of climate and market shocks.

"the best culture is agriculture"

Akwasi Tagoe

Food, Farmers and Leadership - MWF 2023

Tuesday, August 1st, 2023, time is 11:06am at the Omni Shoreham Hotel - Washington D.C, specifically in the Blue Room, which is located on the east-end of the hotel, there I stood on stage dressed in my best-all-black kaftan to a rousing applause. Focused but with a million thoughts running through my mind, I look to my right and see my fellows who are family at this point, so I smile while focusing on them. 

Now this was not my first time on a stage such as this, I have had the opportunity to present at the UNFAO's Africa Climate Week in Accra and on other platforms typically pitching or selling an idea to investors. But it felt different this time, as I was not asking for funding or looking to validate a business idea.

What got me here? You may ask. Let’s backtrack a bit, I was privileged to be selected to be a part of the 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship for the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) from Ghana. Placed in the Leadership in Public Management track at the Texas Tech University (TTU), Lubbock, I had completed a 6-week program that encompassed academic sessions, site-visits, networking events and leadership sessions. 

As part of the program, I was selected by cohort members after the Ignite Talk (TedX styled). Listening to other fellows talk about topics that they were passionate about was inspiring. I had an idea to link my interests; food, farmers, agriculture sustainability with the reason we had all been selected to be part of 700 fellows across Africa. Then remembered a concept I developed in 2013 dubbed “Lead-A-Ship” and titled my presentation “Food, Farmers and Leadership”. 

So there I stood, having been selected to give this talk in a room of over 200 other fellows from various universities across the United States of America to present same. Taking inspiration from speeches from my cohort, I adapted bits of their speeches (with permission). I noticed how intertwined the challenges confronting each of our nations were somehow connected to food and agriculture. So I smiled, and waited for the applause to simmer down a bit, all while grateful for an opportunity to share what my TTU family believed would be a good speech.

“if you eat, you are involved in agriculture”, solving the issues related to food security in Africa demands leadership. The speech broke down the word into three “LEAD-A-SHIP” to connote a Captain leading a ship and its crew to their designated location amidst challenges. When we examine the problem of food security, we see not just a crisis but also a chance to empower the vulnerable, lift up entire communities, and promote sustainable development. We must lead with a strong sense of obligation, compassion, and dedication to the welfare of all Africans especially farmers (I’m biased). 

Realizing how complex the issue of food security is, is the first step in finding a solution. Producing more food is not the only solution; a comprehensive strategy that takes into account a number of interrelated issues is needed. Leadership must be informed by a multifaceted grasp of the issues, which range from finance, infrastructure and market access to climate change and agricultural methods. We can only create successful plans by fully appreciating the subtleties.

Collaboration is also a cornerstone of effective leadership. No single nation or organization can tackle the issue of food security alone. Our leadership must involve partnerships that transcend borders, governments, and sectors. By pooling resources, sharing knowledge, and coordinating efforts, we can amplify our impact and achieve collective success. Here, I noted the need for leaders in business, civic engagement to collaborate on all fronts. Equally important is the empowerment of local communities. True leadership is not about imposing solutions from the top down but about fostering self-reliance and ownership at the grassroots level. Providing farmers with training, access to credit, and modern agricultural tools enables them to become champions of food security within their own communities.

As leaders, we have the unique opportunity to be catalysts for change, to steer our nations towards a future where hunger is eradicated, where communities thrive, and where every individual enjoys the fundamental right to food. Let us commit ourselves to this noble cause, working hand in hand to transform the challenges of today into the triumphs of tomorrow. To end, I ask WHAT DOES HUNGER MEAN TO YOU? 

 

"the best culture is agriculture"

- Akwasi Tagoe

All Things Lean: Lessons to run your own Startup

Having been selected to part of the first cohort of Startupbootcamp (SBC) FinTech Dubai brought its own excitement and anxiety. We were excited because our idea to provide a platform through which smallholder farmers can be connected with finance had been validated, however, the anxiety of leaving operations and being away for the programme period couldn’t be hidden. We settled it in our minds and hearts after deep deliberation of the business model and the fact that this opportunity would help the business in the long term. Over the pilot period we made sure to live the mantra of “creating and capturing some of the value we created”, that which was materializing. 

Before we got to Dubai – United Arab Emirates, we had already received emails indicating activities for week one of the FinTech Accelerator,Pressure! But let’s not focus on that. This post captures lessons learnt in week one and how it can be implemented for your own startup. Sessions were led by Dan Roe of outthebox.io. He focused on running Lean as a business and the Value Proposition Canvas.  

Before I delve into the lessons, I will indulge you to develop the Business Model Canvas or Lean Canvas for your business. I may charge you to review and fine tune it for you. But keep in mind that these are personal lessons I picked up, at the end of the day you are in charge of making decisions you feel or know will help your business. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 DO NOT SCALE PREMATURELY!

 Take careful steps when building the product, the tech or infrastructure, spending big on acquisition and staffing up. Note that the dream is to find our whether customers will pay you before you’ve finished bringing the product to the market. Most of the time we get super excited to scale or move the business to the next level having really not thought through or tested all assumptions fully. Be careful you don’t build product no one wants or needs.

 

         Lean start-up: This model favours experimentation over-elaborate planning, customer feedback over intuition, and iteration over traditional “big design up front” development. Search for your business model and execute dedicatedly, don’t be afraid to borrow from already existing-working models.           

      

       In your bid to get the gold, note that it’s not about making a single jump but by testing, verifying your assumptions and making a number of steps which I will call “the process”. Now what do you see as your 3 biggest risk right now? Think about it. Write them down and don’t forget that the biggest risk for any start-up is spending too much time building the wrong thing. 

      The Lean start-up works on 3 basic principles:   

                1. Our start-up is a big pile of guesses.    

                2 The faster we can bounce our guesses off the market, the better we’ll do.

         3. Learning is progress; building stuff isn’t

To conclude it is good to mention that the Lean Start-up has a relentless and iterative focus that prioritises the speed of customer validated learning above all else. Week one wasn’t all work, we ended the week with a trip to the desert so stay tuned for photos and a post. Follow us on our social media platforms to keep updated on posts.

"The Best Culture is Agriculture"

Locagro: empowering smallholder farmers with innovative solutions

Majority of farmland in sub-Saharan Africa is managed by smallholder farmers. They are such important players in the food and agriculture sector, producing majority of the food consumed by urban and rural dwellers, yet they are faced with a myriad of challenges. Challenges that have been there since I was introduced to Agriculture Science in Primary School. 

Challenges that affects their well-being and livelihoods. Out of the 2.5 billion people in poor countries living directly from the food and agriculture sector, 1.5 billion people live in smallholder households. Many of those households are extremely poor.

Women are not left out as they comprise an average of 50 percent of the agricultural labour force in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Smallholder farmers when empowered hold the key to meeting sustainable development goals (SDGs) one and two with overarching effects on the 15 other SDGs. For instance, women farmers when given the same access to productive resources as men could increase their farm yields by 20 -30 percent. Women are drivers of change towards sustainable production systems and healthier diets for households. 

Smallholder farmers matter for sustainability as properly managed smallholder systems invest in building soil biomass and soil vegetative cover which improves water filtration for flood and retention in case of droughts. With reduced usage of fossil fuel, smallholder traditional practices also mitigate climate change through reduced emissions and enhanced soil carbon sequestration.

The fourth industrial revolution is upon us and leveraging on these technological advancements to provide solutions for smallholder farmers will ensure economic, environmental and social development.

At Locagro, we believe that providing solutions from farm to fork is very important to our food production system. Locagro is a Ghanaian based enterprise created in 2017 with a focus on empowering smallholder farmers with innovative farming solutions to increase their productivity and reduce the negative environmental impact of their farming activities.

Locagro integrates agriculture, technology and finance to provide solutions to three major problems facing smallholder farmers: access to market, access to capital and lack of knowledge in smart farming techniques. 

Locagro offers farmers the opportunity of a ready market even before harvest through planning of the entire production cycle, providing information to farmers, new agribusinesses (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3q0l4YQmyePV-YqZ2lIo1w/videos) and capacity building in microdosing which is a strategy to replenish nutrients in the soil through precise application of in small doses. Through Nocofio (www.nocofio.com), Locagro provides an access to financial services by crowdfunding for smallholder agribusinesses.

Locagro has its operation base in Nsawam, Ghana. We believe policy makers should develop national agriculture plans devoid of political agenda to scale-up support to sustainable smallholder farmers, develop their entrepreneurial capacities and create viable livelihoods in the rural areas, with a special focus on women and youth. 

 

Akwasi A. Tagoe

akwasi@nocofio.com 

"THE BEST CULTURE IS AGRICULTURE"