Smallholder farmers rely on extension services and other agricultural service providers for effective advisory information. To serve the broad needs of farmers, advisors need access to decision-support information. Digital tools can offer many advantages to advisors, such as providing easy access to relevant information and improving decision-making.
In India, there has been a significant push towards digitalising agricultural advisory services. As a result, agricultural advisors can now find information on a vast range of digital tools.
CABI’s range of gender-equitable digital advisory tools aims to strengthen the capacity of those supporting smallholder farmers to manage plant health problems with sustainable solutions. The websites and apps developed under the PlantwisePlus programme provide easy access to information on plant health, crop protection, and other decision-making support. A range of activities are underway in India to extend the reach of the CABI digital tools.
CABI digital tools and Principles of Digital Development
However, how can we ensure digital tools meet the needs of advisors, particularly women? While also addressing the challenges caused by the digital divide, such as access to digital devices, language, and digital illiteracy.
To ensure CABI’s digital tools address the challenges agricultural advisory services face, CABI follows the Principles of Digital Development. These nine best practice principles are based on lessons learned from years of ICT-enabled projects and through collaboration with key organisations, such as The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the UN Development Program (UNDP), and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). By following these principles, CABI ensures that its digital tools are not only human-centred but also sustainable, scalable, and effective in the long run.
Human-centred design workshop
CABI recently conducted a two-day stakeholder workshop to review the PlantwisePlus programme’s digital tools and how well they meet stakeholders’ roles and needs. Claire Curry, Global Team Leader, CABI; Malvika Chaudhary, Global Team Leader for Digital tool promotion, CABI; and Madhu Manjari, Agri-Digital Tools Coordinator for South Asia, CABI, led the event. The team focused on how digital solutions meet the needs of those who use them.
What is human-centred design?
The workshop took a human-centred Design (HCD) approach. HCD focuses on understanding the needs, behaviours, and experiences of the people who will use a product or service. The goal is to create solutions that are not only effective but also resonate with users on a personal level. By following both HCD and the Principles for Digital Development, the CABI digital tools will be more relevant to users, technically sound, ethically designed, and scalable.
CABI conducted the workshop with the National Institution of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE). Various stakeholders participated, including universities, government agricultural departments, private sector app developers, NGOs, INGOs and agro-input training facilitators. The aim was to understand their different work and information needs to make the digital tools more accessible and relevant.
Range of stakeholders
Each of the participating stakeholders plays a role in developing and disseminating the CABI digital tools. Universities promote the tools among faculty and students, feeding back any suggestions for improvements. Partner organisations, such as CSA, MSSRF, Napanta, Tene-Ag, KrishiGap, MANAGE, NIPHM, the Department of Agriculture (Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana and Rajasthan), and CIFOR, share the digital tools with their workforce and members, extending the tools reach. Again, they provide vital feedback from their user base. Non-partner organisations, including Digital Green and ICRISAT, collaborate with the Indian government on digital development. As such, they provide important insights into the requirements for integrating the tools into national agricultural initiatives, ensuring sustainability.
Focus on the Principles of Digital Development
The workshop focused on several key Principles for Digital Development. For instance, regarding Design with the User, stakeholders emphasised the need for authentic, localised information, with tools available in local languages to suit specific crop contexts. Understanding the Ecosystem was also highlighted, with participants noting the importance of aligning tools with local infrastructure, policies, and systems. Given India’s push for agricultural digitalisation, the tools are well-positioned to support emerging government policies. Regarding Design for Scale, most attendees agreed that CABI’s tools are already proving useful, especially for last-mile users, showing strong potential for broader adaptation.
Ensuring Sustainability was another priority, as digital tools need to be maintainable, financially viable, and integrated into existing agricultural programs. The workshop noted that CABI tools are already integrated with app operators and government schemes in India. On being Data-Driven, stakeholders mentioned the need for regular data updates to enhance tool accuracy and effectiveness. Lastly, the principle of Collaboration was underscored, with new stakeholders such as Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) joining in developing and disseminating the digital tools.
Ongoing digital tools development
Through PlantwisePlus, CABI regularly conducts stakeholder meetings to ensure the tools remain relevant and accessible to all users. Extension workers can provide feedback on the tool’s performance and relevance to their day-to-day work with farmers. Meanwhile, other stakeholders, such as universities and government departments, can highlight any emerging issues or changing needs of their user base. This ensures that the tool remains relevant and continues to improve over time.
Rapid technological advances have seen increased tools providing plant health advice, particularly those using artificial intelligence (AI). This is helping improve farm productivity and crop pest and disease management. However, any advancements must meet the needs of the users, particularly those who face barriers to accessing technology. Without user input, the digital divide will likely widen, leaving many farmers behind. Activities such as the PlantwisePlus HCD workshop and projects, including the new GAIA project, put users at the forefront of digital design. With appropriate digital skills training and support, even more farmers can benefit from these technological advancements. This will ultimately lead to more sustainable agricultural practices and improved food security.
PlantwisePlus gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), Netherlands; European Commission Directorate General for International Partnerships (INTPA, EU); the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), United Kingdom; and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
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