This document discusses opportunities and challenges for using emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs) like web-based applications, radio, and cellular phones in agriculture in Africa. It notes that small-scale farmers have limited access to technologies, markets, and information. However, about a third of Africans now have cell phones, and radio is widely used. Examples from Kenya and Ghana show how ICT platforms can provide farmers timely information on crops and markets via various technologies and languages to address information gaps. Challenges include inadequate infrastructure, skills, and policies across varying development levels in African countries.

1. Convergence of web-based applications, radio and cellular phone: some perspectives and experiences in Africa Hilda Munyua, Edith Adera and Mike Jensen

2. Local environment realities in Africa Few extension officers and old extension system inefficient Most small scale farmers are resource poor Limited access to advanced technologies. Innovative technologies developed do not filter down to the intended beneficiaries High production and transport costs, and low agricultural production Inadequate access to markets and unfair market conditions Small scale farmers Inadequate capacity to share and disseminate essential outputs to small scale farmers Limited value addition to agricultural produce

3. Local environment realities About 1/3 of the population have access to cellular phones Poor access to technical agricultural and market information and knowledge Inadequate ICT infrastructure (electricity and telecommunication) especially in rural areas Gaps in skills and illiteracy High costs of connectivity Inadequate and weak ICT policies Poor access to appropriately packaged local content Poor connectivity and low bandwidth ICTs Others Radio the most widely used ICT Weak institutions and poor collaboration Inadequate local content