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https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/gov/technologies/learning-platform-for-agricultural-advisory-services
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Learning Platform for Agricultural Advisory Services

Learn, Advise, Transform Agriculture!

CABI Academy is a digital learning platform designed to build the capacity of national agricultural systems by providing high-quality, self-paced courses that enhance plant health knowledge and advisory competencies. Aligned with the global Skills Framework for Agriculture, the platform supports public extension officers, agro-dealer trainers, and educators with practical, interactive modules on pest diagnosis, bioprotection, soil and water management, and more. Its flexibility makes it ideal for scaling within national training programs and integrating into agricultural education institutions. By strengthening advisory services, CABI Academy contributes to improved crop productivity, climate resilience, and food security at the national level.

2

This technology is pre-validated.

9•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 7/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive medium

We have created a free to access course called 'Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness' which is aimed at youth (up to 35) who want to start an agribusiness.

The poor: Positive medium

The CABI Academy offers courses largely free of charge at the point of access to all learners, worldwide. This is part of the Plantwise Plus mission to improve farmer advisory services, helping farmers to lose less, and feed more. The courses are created using CABI's subject matter experts, and are designed by learning design experts. Courses are available offline via the Moodle Mobile app, improving connectivity to the courses for those in low-data contexts. The courses are optimised for mobile, and refit dynamically for any screen size.

Under 18: Positive low

We request that all learners who register and take part on our courses are 16 or above, as there are unfacilitated forum activities, and so the learning is not aimed at a large under 18 audience. However, in our 'Gender-inclusive strategies for improving agricultural productivity' course, much of the messaging and learning outcomes are targeted towards gender and youth inclusion.

Women: Positive high

Our 'Gender-inclusive strategies for improving agricultural productivity' course aims to improve inclusion of women and youth in extensionist activities. As of 28th May, the course has had 1,366 learners enrol onto the course, and 438 of those learners going on to achieve a course certificate, which is achieved by taking and passing the multiple choice question assessment, associated with the course.

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Digital technology.

Farmer climate change readiness: Moderate improvement

The courses teach sustainable farming practices.

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

The 'Introduction to Bioprotection Products' course teachers learners how to select and use bioprotection products, using nature-based solutions to manage pests. Courses such as 'Reducing Pesticide Risk' also advocate for reducing harm to the environment caused by highly hazardous pesticides.

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Our courses promote integrated crop management practices, and sustainable farming practices. Specifically in our Reducing Pesticide Risk course, the potential effects of pesticides on environmental health are discussed.

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

The course 'Sustainable Soil Management Practices' covers why soil management is important for growing healthy crops and includes educational content about common soil health issues and related management practices. Learners are guided through the identification of soil types by texture and structure and common issues affecting different types of soil, and the management practices that can be used to address these issues. Through the course, learners create a soil management plan.

Water use: A bit less water used

The course 'Introduction to Water Management' is another course in our integrated crop management suite. This course is about efficient and productive water management in (and for) agriculture. Learners are introduced to the topic, concepts are explained around the movement of water around and within crops, and strategies are introduced to help learners identify how best to promote water retention.

Problem

  • Limited training for extension workers: Many government extension staff lack regular access to updated, structured training programs to keep pace with evolving agricultural challenges.
  • Rural constraints on access: Training resources often require strong internet or large data, making them hard to access in rural areas where extension agents operate.
  • Challenges in scaling knowledge: National systems struggle to train large numbers of advisors consistently and quickly across regions.
  • Overly technical content: Training materials are sometimes too scientific or complex, making it hard for field-level staff to use and share the knowledge effectively with farmers.
  • Impact on food security goals: Without well-trained advisors, farmers receive inconsistent guidance, limiting the success of programs aimed at increasing yields and ensuring national food security.

Solution

  • Science-based training for frontline staff: CABI Academy equips extension agents with practical, up-to-date knowledge in plant health, pest management, soil, and water.
  • Adapted for rural and low-data environments: Courses are designed for low-bandwidth access and can be used offline, ensuring nationwide reach.
  • Supports national training strategies: The platform complements government efforts to scale advisory services and improve agricultural outcomes.
  • Improves policy implementation: Skilled advisors help translate national strategies into real impact on farms.
  • Backed by global expertise: Combines knowledge from research, education, and fieldwork to strengthen public agricultural systems.

Key points to design your project

The CABI Academy is a digital learning platform that strengthens agricultural advisory services by delivering high-quality, science-based training on plant health, pest and disease management, soil and water, and sustainable practices. Designed for low-data environments, it offers self-paced, interactive courses in clear, practical language. To integrate it into project, key activities include:

  • Awareness Campaigns: Introduce the CABI Academy to public extension networks and training institutions as a national tool for strengthening agricultural capacity. Some materials to do the awrness is accessible here.
  • Staff Development: Support ministries and agencies in integrating Academy courses into training plans for extension officers, inspectors, and agri-trainers.
  • Infrastructure Support: Facilitate access to the platform through digital centers or devices for rural-based staff, even in low-connectivity areas.
  • Policy Alignment: Embed the Academy into national agriculture and food security strategies to ensure system-wide capacity building.

0 USD

IP

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Countries with a green colour
Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour
Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour
Tested
Countries with a blue colour
Testing ongoing
Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burundi Burkina Faso Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Côte d’Ivoire Eritrea Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Cameroon Kenya Libya Liberia Madagascar Mali Malawi Morocco Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Rwanda Zambia Senegal Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Somalia South Sudan Sudan South Africa Eswatini Tanzania Togo Tunisia Chad Uganda Western Sahara Central African Republic Lesotho
Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country Testing ongoing Tested Adopted
Algeria No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Angola No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Benin No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Botswana No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Burkina Faso No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Burundi No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Cameroon No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Central African Republic No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Egypt No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Eswatini No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Ethiopia No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Gabon No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Gambia No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Ghana No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Guinea No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Kenya No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Lesotho No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Liberia No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Madagascar No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Malawi No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Mali No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Mauritania No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Mauritius No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Morocco No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Mozambique No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Namibia No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Niger No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Nigeria No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Republic of the Congo No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Rwanda No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Senegal No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Sierra Leone No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Somalia No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
South Africa No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
South Sudan No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Sudan No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Tanzania No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Togo No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Tunisia No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Uganda No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Zambia No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted
Zimbabwe No ongoing testing Not tested Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ Subtropic - warm Subtropic - cool Tropic - warm Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Sustainable Development Goal 4: quality education
Goal 4: quality education

Access to free online resources, designed for learners in low income countries

Sustainable Development Goal 5: gender equality
Goal 5: gender equality

Gender-Inclusive Strategies for Improving Agricultural Productivity course

Sustainable Development Goal 8: decent work and economic growth
Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness course

  1. Visit the CABI Academy website
  2. Click “Register” to create a free account
  3. Log in and explore a variety of courses in plant health, pest management, soil and water, and more
  4. Choose a course, learn at your own pace, and earn certificates upon completion
  5. (Optional): Download materials for offline use—perfect for low-data or rural settings
  6. For help on how to use CABI Academy, contact academy@cabi.org 

Last updated on 17 June 2025