A Private Sector-led Business model for meeting changing needs of agribusiness value chains actors in Ghana based on Mobile-based ICT- enabled field agents.

2018

English

The role of the private sector in the provision of ICT- enabled agricultural advisory services is gaining prominence due to challenges limiting effective delivery of public agricultural extension services. Grameen Foundation piloted the AgroTech SmartEx Model which provides quality advisory services to agricultural value chain actors in some selected regions in Ghana. This paper sought to develop a business model for scaling up the Agro-Tech SmartEx on commercial and more sustainable basis. In addition to interviewing 103 farmers in the Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions of Ghana, other actors along the agricultural value chain were interacted with to identify their challenges that could be turned into business opportunities. The study found out that agricultural advisory services were needed not just by farmers but also by other players including inputs and financial service providers as well as other agri-distributors. Based on the gaps identified, a proposal is made for an Integrated Business Services Delivery Model which is national in character with a three-tier structure consisting of a Master Platform, Digital Solution Providers (DSPs) and the Agribusiness Service Providers. In addition to production-based support services to farmers, the model proposes provision of farmer data to financial institutions and input suppliers for a fee as well as engagement with large buyers and processing units to secure market for produce of registered farmers.

Quaye, W.; Bist, R.; Yeboah, A.; Osei, C.;Asafu-Adjaye, N.Y.; and Fiafor, B.