August 13, 2025 — Online — The African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have taken a bold step towards transforming agricultural extension in Africa through a groundbreaking webinar showcasing adaptable digital tools for last-mile service delivery.
The session, attended by participants from across Africa and beyond, marked a milestone in implementing the Abidjan 2 Action Plan and the One CGIAR–AFAAS Partnership Agreement, signed in May 2025 during Science Week.
Opening the event, Dr. Lillian Lihasi, Executive Director of AFAAS, emphasized the urgency of integrating technology with the “human face” of extension:
“Digital solutions are no longer an option, and neither is the human connection. Our goal is to bridge research and farmers with tools that deliver impact, especially for women and youth.”
Central to the discussions were four CIMMYT-developed platforms:
• e-Agroecology – for farmer profiling and agro-data management
• Extension Registry – to strengthen professional networks of extension workers
• Learning Network Platform – offering WhatsApp-based micro-courses for farmers, youth, and extensionists
• AgroTutor AI – an AI-driven advisory service capable of responding to localized farmer queries via text or voice on WhatsApp
Satish Nagaraji, ICT4D Specialist at CIMMYT, highlighted the co-creation approach, likening it to “customizing an apartment in a shared digital infrastructure” where each country adapts the tools to local languages, crops, and cultural realities.
Live demonstrations showcased AgroTutor AI answering Swahili farming queries and delivering instant voice feedback, while the WhatsApp Learning Academy presented micro-courses complete with quizzes and digital certificates. The e-Agrology platform was also introduced, enabling farmer registries, agronomic data collection, and blockchain-based certification for traceability and market access.
Participants engaged actively, raising questions about language localization, rural connectivity, market linkages, and ensuring farmer capacity to utilize the technologies effectively. Suggestions included integrating photos with advice, extending tools to basic-feature phones via IVRS, and leveraging community radio for wider reach.
Dr. Lihasi concluded by calling for continental collaboration:
“Let this be the first step in building Africa’s own digital transformation agenda for agricultural extension — tools grounded in our realities and scaled through our networks.”
The webinar set the stage for pilot implementations in multiple African countries, with AFAAS coordinating adaptation through its Country Fora and strategic partners.