Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Agricultural Innovation Systems

• The role of innovation in modern agriculture

• Technology adoption pathways and barriers

• Overview of the agri-tech ecosystem: from research to farm

• Case studies of successful technology scaling

• Exercise: Mapping technology needs for different farm types

Module 2: Digital Agriculture and Data-Driven Farming

• Introduction to precision agriculture: GPS, sensors and VRT

• Farm data collection: mobile apps, IoT sensors and drones

• Basics of data interpretation and decision support systems

• Practical Demo: Using a mobile app for crop scouting and data recording

Module 3: Mobile Technology for Extension and Market Access

• Mobile-based advisory services and information dissemination

• Digital platforms for input access, finance and insurance

• E-commerce and mobile money for farmer-market linkages

• Workshop: Navigating and using selected agricultural mobile platforms

Module 4: Innovations in Resource Management

• Smart water management: drip irrigation, soil moisture sensors

• Renewable energy solutions for agriculture (solar, biogas)

• Post-harvest technologies: storage, processing, and value addition

• Case Study: Analyzing the impact of a specific resource-saving technology

Module 5: Planning for Technology Integration

• Assessing cost-benefit and ROI of agricultural technologies

• Developing a step-by-step technology adoption plan

• Accessing financing and partnerships for tech investment

• Final Exercise: Creating a one-year technology integration roadmap for a model farm