Agricultural projects that use information and communication technologies (ICT) to provide market information have increased considerably in developing countries in the last decade. These projects aim to strengthen smallholder farmers’ linkage to input and output markets. This article examines the impact of such projects on smallholder farmers’ input and output commercialisation, and household income, using propensity score matching technique and data collected from farmers in Kenya. The study finds that participation in ICT-based projects increases farmers’ participation in input and output markets, and their household income. The article highlights the implications of these findings for ICT policy and practice.

Agricultural projects that use information and communication technologies (ICT) to provide market information have increased considerably in developing countries in the last decade. These projects aim to strengthen smallholder farmers’ linkage to input and output markets. This article examines the impact of such projects on smallholder farmers’ input and output commercialisation, and household income, using propensity score matching technique and data collected from farmers in Kenya. The study finds that participation in ICT-based projects increases farmers’ participation in input and output markets, and their household income. The article highlights the implications of these findings for ICT policy and practice.

Over the last decades, Vietnam has increased its rice production substantially, which has resulted in environmental degradation and adverse health effects. The present study aimed to document the introduction and diffusion of the sustainable technology package “One Must Do, Five Reductions” (1M5R). Barriers to adoption were investigated with 155 farmers in 17 focus group discussions. Results show that external factors such as the geographical location of farms and access to water seem to be the main barriers. Knowledge provision, demonstration fields, and access to extension services are important to increase the adoption of sustainable rice farming practices.

RiceAdvice is a decision support tool with potential to improve rice productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. A rapid appraisal of agricultural innovation systems approach was used to assess opportunities and constraints in scaling the tool. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, multi-stakeholder workshop, and questionnaires distributed to 368 farmers in Kano State, northern Nigeria. Results show that scaling RiceAdvice requires: (i) improved access to financial and input supply services through partnerships; (ii) identifying and testing business models where RiceAdvice can be used; and (iii) a dissemination approach where female service providers reach female farmers.

To address the livelihood problems faced by the poor and vulnerable in Northern Province of Zambia, a novel collective action approach called livelihoods enhancement groups (LEGs) was used as a platform for facilitating research on development initiatives to generate change. Using focus group discussions and key informant interviews, this article assesses the potential of using the LEGs approach in generating change. The livelihood changes observed arose with the LEG as a platform through which different knowledge nodes interacted. Livelihood areas that LEGs affected included crop production, livestock production, nutrition, and access to credit. Afin de discuter des problèmes de subsistance auxquels sont confrontées les personnes pauvres et vulnérables dans la Province Septentrionale de la Zambie, une nouvelle approche d'action collective appelée Livelihoods Enhancement Groups, ou LEGs, (Groupes d'amélioration des moyens de subsistance) a été utilisée en tant que plateforme de recherche sur des initiatives de développement visant à générer du changement. Basé sur des groupes de discussion thématique et des entretiens avec des informateurs clés, cet article évalue le potentiel de cette approche pour générer du changement. Les changements observés dans les moyens de substitution ont augmenté avec l'approche LEG en tant que plateforme d'interactions entre différents noyaux de connaissance. Les domaines de subsistance impactés incluent la production agricole, l'élevage du bétail, la nutrition et l'accès au crédit. Para abordar los problemas vinculados a los medios de vida enfrentados por la población empobrecida y vulnerable de la Provincia del Norte de Zambia, se impulsó un novedoso enfoque de acción colectiva llamado “grupos destinados al mejoramiento de los medios de vida” (leg por sus siglas en inglés); se trata de una plataforma encaminada a facilitar la investigación de aquellas iniciativas de desarrollo orientadas a generar cambios. A partir de discusiones realizadas en varios grupos de enfoque y de entrevistas con informantes clave, el presente artículo evalúa la posibilidad de usar el enfoque de leg para promover la generación de cambios. En este sentido, se constata que los cambios que tuvieron lugar en los medios de vida surgieron tras el uso de los leg como plataforma en la que interactuaron diversos nodos de información. Éstos incidieron en varias áreas vinculadas a los medios de vida, por ejemplo, la producción de cultivos, la cría de ganado, la nutrición y el acceso a créditos.

To address the livelihood problems faced by the poor and vulnerable in Northern Province of Zambia, a novel collective action approach called livelihoods enhancement groups (LEGs) was used as a platform for facilitating research on development initiatives to generate change. Using focus group discussions and key informant interviews, this article assesses the potential of using the LEGs approach in generating change. The livelihood changes observed arose with the LEG as a platform through which different knowledge nodes interacted. Livelihood areas that LEGs affected included crop production, livestock production, nutrition, and access to credit.

This paper documents collective actions undertaken by forest-based associations to access better prices for their non-wood forest products via group sales. Group sales can increase the income of group sellers by up to 40 per cent compared to individual sellers. The institutionalisation of group sales reinforces social relations and cohesion as well as mutual trust. Group sales were found to be a key preliminary step in the development and growth of small and medium scale enterprises. The paper concludes that successful group sales require a strong commitment among members of forest-based associations. Key factors influencing collective actions are discussed.

The recent shift towards agricultural innovation systems recognises that agricultural development is complex and must involve multiple actors. This makes innovation through a project framework inherently challenging. This article draws lessons from a project that fostered post-harvest innovations in Uganda. First, a two-stage design allowed scoping out business cases with partners to identify potential innovations. Second, stakeholders used the Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA) to flexibly develop the innovations. Third, flexible funding made it possible to seize new opportunities along the way. Fourth, the project was attentive to surprises in implementation and encouraged reflection.

The recent shift towards agricultural innovation systems recognises that agricultural development is complex and must involve multiple actors. This makes innovation through a project framework inherently challenging. This article draws lessons from a project that fostered post-harvest innovations in Uganda. First, a two-stage design allowed scoping out business cases with partners to identify potential innovations. Second, stakeholders used the Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA) to flexibly develop the innovations. Third, flexible funding made it possible to seize new opportunities along the way. Fourth, the project was attentive to surprises in implementation and encouraged reflection.