Fresh insights from new research shaping Africa’s food systems, resilience, and economic development
Key Insight of the Week
Digital agricultural services can help farmers sell more without necessarily increasing how much they produce.
New IFPRI research from northern Nigeria finds that users of Crop2Cash, a private digital agricultural advisory platform, recorded an average crop sales value of NGN 161,520 (USD 106) more than comparable non-users. The gains were driven primarily by improved marketing, including better price information, postharvest techniques, and market linkages.
However, the study found no significant average effect on crop productivity or the adoption of 19 promoted sustainable agricultural practices. Actual service uptake also remained limited, particularly among women.
The findings highlight the importance of looking beyond production when assessing digital agriculture. Helping farmers access market information and strengthen market connections can improve sales value, while ensuring that women and other underserved groups use and benefit from these services remains an important challenge.
Featured Report of the Week
Selling better rather than growing more: Mixed-methods evidence on a private digital advisory platform for smallholders in northern Nigeria (OA)
By Ragasa, Catherine; Olanrewaju, Opeyemi; Ma, Ning; Alvi, Muzna; Durojaye, Kola; Awoyemi, Emmanuel
Private digital agricultural platforms are expanding across sub-Saharan Africa, but rigorous evidence on their effects on farmers and the distribution of benefits remains limited.
This study evaluates Crop2Cash (C2C), a Nigerian agri-fintech enterprise that combines AI-powered and human advisory services with input marketplaces, credit scoring, and e-wallet services accessible through basic mobile phones. The researchers used a quasi-experimental design, household surveys, and qualitative data from Kaduna, Jigawa, and Niger States to examine the platform’s effects.
The results show that users recorded an average crop sales value of NGN 161,520 (USD 106) more than comparable non-users. These gains were driven mainly by improvements in marketing, including better price information, postharvest techniques, and market linkages. Productivity gains were also observed for some crops and farmers.
However, the study found no significant average effect on crop productivity or the adoption of 19 promoted sustainable agricultural practices. Despite high reported registration numbers, actual uptake of the services remained limited, particularly among women.
Why it matters: Digital agricultural platforms should be assessed not only by their reach or their potential to increase production, but also by whether farmers use their services and achieve better market outcomes. The findings point to the importance of strengthening market connections and addressing barriers that limit women’s participation.
Other Recent Publications
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Nature Food. First published online on October 26, 2026
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Resources Policy, 122
Temporal misalignment of income and nutrition in cash-crop food systems of Sub-Saharan Africa: Rethinking food security policy(OA; PR; ISI)
Zerfu, Taddese Alemu; Tareke, Amare Abera; Chekol, Dawit Alemayehu
Sustainable Futures, 12
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Parks, Robbie M.; Bliznashka, Lilia; Jackson, Morgan; Nwabuikwu, Odiche; Kachinjika, Monice; Mvula, Peter; Munthali, Alister; Katundu, Mangani; Roschnik, Natalie; Phiri, Brenda; Gondwe-Matekesa, Esnatt; Gelli, Aulo
IFPRI Project Note
GCAN Partner Workshop: Report on lessons and priorities for strengthening policy engagement, institutional capacity, and sustainability(OA)
Bryan, Elizabeth; Go, Ara; Sarswat, Esha; Mawia, Harriet
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Evidence for Africa highlights every week recent IFPRI research and insights relevant to the continent’s food systems, economic development, and policy priorities.
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