More often than not, farmers rely on common sense to determine which seeds to sow and when to sow. Also, due to a lack of reliable marketing information for their crops, they fall prey to shrewd traders who dictate market prices. The AICC/CICA is expected to be a proximity all-in-one centre providing pro-farmer services.

Each season, the centre carries out sensitization campaigns on appropriate cropping practices, the proper use of fertilizers and pests and disease control on selected crops. The centre uses national television, national and community radio stations as well as agricultural extension officers to pass on campaign messages.

The centre has developed a platform for exchange between farmers among themselves and with experts. Farmers post their experiences and queries and a moderator validates publication of contents. “Where can I find technicians for artificial insemination of my cows?” one recent post reads. The centre is linked to district-level telecentres and innovation centres, where some farmers access Internet.

Furthermore, farmers have the opportunity to follow the market trends for their crops on their mobile phones. Prices of the main commodities are compiled twice a month from major rural and urban markets and centralised in a system known as e-soko. Thus, before selling their produce, smart farmers first inquire about current prices on the nearby markets through a short message.

AICC/CICA is coordinated under the Project to support the National Agricultural Extension System. The centre contributes to implementation of the Rwanda Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (SPAT), which aims at professionalising the agricultural sector to make it a springboard for Rwandan economy.

To ensure sustainability, the centre is planning to provide studio production services (audio and video) as well as geographical information system services (soil surveys and maps) to the private sector in order to generate funds for self-financing.
 

• Rwanda