Private sector-led digital agricultural extension for smallholder farmers: impact evaluation and learning study in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

IFPRI, in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Research Commissioning Centre (RCC) and GSMA, is leading an impact evaluation study and supporting the learning agenda on the role of private sector-led AgTech B2B platforms in transforming agricultural advisory services in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The project focuses on digital and AI-enabled solutions that aim to:

• Improve farmers’ awareness and knowledge
• Enhance access to input and output markets
• Expand access to financial services
• Promote adoption of sustainable, productivity-enhancing practices

Study Components

1. Evaluate the impact of digital agricultural extension and advisory services provided by the private sector.
2. Compare the relative effectiveness of different services—or combinations of services—offered by these platforms.
3. Assess the commercial sustainability of the platforms, and examine the policy, regulatory, and enabling environment that supports scaling and long-term impact.

Case Studies

• Bakhabar Kissan (BKK), Pakistan [Link]
• Crop2Cash, Nigeria [Link]
• GeoKrishi, Nepal [Link]

This project is funded by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through its Research Commissioning Centre (RCC), which is managed by 3ie and the University of Birmingham.