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