ICT4Ag is cohosted by The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI). It is co-organised by an impressive array of partners listed below.

is a joint international institution of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU). Its mission is to advance food and nutritional security, increase prosperity and encourage sound natural resource management in ACP countries. It provides access to information and knowledge, facilitates policy dialogue and strengthens the capacity of agricultural and rural development institutions and communities. 

CTA operates under the framework of the Cotonou Agreement and is funded by the EU.

The mission of the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) is to initiate, develop and manage suitable programs of transformation and modernization of agriculture and livestock to ensure food security and to contribute to the national economy. In order to transform Rwanda into a knowledge-based economy, the Government of Rwanda integrated ICT in the Vision 2020 and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) to enable Rwanda leap-frog the key stages of industrialization and transform her agro-based economy into a service, information-rich and knowledge-based one that is globally competitive. ICT initiatives benefiting the agriculture sector include the Agricultural Management Information System (AMIS), an online exchange platform, “e-Soko”, a mobile and internet market information solution that allows farmers and consumers to access market information for agricultural products. In collaboration with RDB (Rwanda Development Board) and MYICT (Ministry of Youth and ICT), other related initiatives are being developed for effective and efficient agricultural service delivery.

The mission of the is to address national priorities for economic growth and poverty reduction through the development and coordination of national policies and programs related to youth empowerment as well as Information & Communication Technology policies and programs. The Rwandan ICT for Development (ICT4D) policy commonly known as the National Information and Communication Infrastructure Plan (NICI) process began in 1998 and  was designed to implement the necessary policies and plans capable of addressing Rwanda’s developmental challenges in the information and technology age in order to accelerate the country’s socio-economic development process. At the moment, ICT for Socio-Economic Development in Rwanda is focusing on five priority sectors namely, the Governance Sector, the Health Sector, the Education Sector, the Agriculture sector and the Business & Finance Sector.

With 50 years’ experience developing agricultural value chains, ACDI/VOCA is well positioned to extend effective ICT and mobile solutions to this important market. We reach hundreds of thousands of farmers—potential users and beneficiaries of ICT applications and solutions. We advise on agricultural mobile content, promote functionality and foster consumer awareness about mobile solutions as part of our signature agricultural value chain interventions. ACDI/VOCA has worked in 146 countries since 1963 delivering technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.

Agri-ProFocus is a partnership of Dutch NGOs, civil society, farmers’ organisations, companies, knowledge institutes and government aiming to support entrepreneurial farmers (men and women) and their organisations in emerging market countries, and thereby contributing to food security. Agri-ProFocus has local networks or ‘Agri-Hubs’ in 12 countries in Africa open to all actors seeking true collaboration. The Agri-Hubs promote innovation through so called ‘innovation communities’ and facilitate partnerships and deal-making between agri-businesses and farmer entrepreneurs. Agri-Hub Rwanda has innovation communities on: ICT& Media for Agriculture, Access to Finance, Gender in value chain, Post Harvest and Food Industry and Agribusiness cluster development. 

CGIAR is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food secure future. CGIAR research is dedicated to reducing rural poverty, increasing food security, improving human health and nutrition, and ensuring more sustainable management of natural resources. It is carried out by the 15 centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in close collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector.

The role of Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) is to voice the legitimate concerns and interests of the farmers in the region, with an aim of enhancing regional cohesiveness and socio-economic development of farmers, represent, lobby and advocate for Eastern Africa farmers interests and build their capacities. The federation also endeavours to promote regional integration through promotion of trade and good neighbourliness, strengthen information exchange between country producer organizations, and seek benefits from comparative advantage in farm input supply and market options. EAFF is in the process of developing a web2.0 media strategy which is in line with the EAFF strategic plan which will enhance sharing and dissemination of information, communication, knowledge management networking and visibility.

e-Agriculture is a global Community of Practice, where people from all over the world exchange information, ideas, and resources related to the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for institutions and individuals in agriculture and rural development to share knowledge, learn from others, and improve decision making about the vital role of ICTs to empower rural communities, improve rural livelihoods, and build sustainable agriculture and food security.

Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO's efforts - to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.

The Forum for Agricultural research in Africa (FARA) is an apex organization bringing together major stakeholders in agricultural research and development in Africa. It is a strategic platform that fosters continental and global networking to reinforce the capacities of Africa’s agricultural science and innovation community. FARA builds on the strengths of the SROs and NARS by facilitating the use of ICTs in information and knowledge exchange. The FARA-led Regional Agricultural Information and Learning System (RAILS) take advantage of ICT to improve the utility of information and to enhance knowledge exchange in ARD. 

 Farm Radio International (FRI) is a Canadian charity that has been working since 1979 to harness the power of radio to meet the needs of small-scale farmers. We work in direct partnership with more than 460 radio broadcasters in 38 African countries to fight poverty and food insecurity. With the benefit of FRI resources and training, our broadcast partners deliver practical, relevant, and timely information to tens of millions of farmers. We also work with a range of partners to implement radio projects that address specific development challenges and community needs. In 2012, FRI received the Innovation Challenge Award from the Rockefeller Foundation in recognition of our work using radio in combination with modern ICTs to improve livelihoods and change lives.

The Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) provides advocacy and leadership on rural advisory services (RAS) within the global development agenda. It offers a forum to bring together and promote interaction and learning among the diverse stakeholders involved in RAS. By working at different levels, GFRAS helps regional actors to present their perspectives in the global development arena, as well as providing a mechanism for global perspectives to reach the regional levels. This two-way flow strengthens the role of advisory services in agricultural development with the goal of reducing hunger and poverty.

FHI 360 is a non-profit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology – creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360’s TechLab designs, adapts and implements scalable technology solutions that increase the efficiency, reach and impact of development projects. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states, and all U.S. territories. 

Grameen Foundation is a global organization that helps the world’s poorest people achieve their full potential by providing the information and financial services they need to transform their lives. Founded in 1997, it delivers solutions responding to the needs of the poor, as well as tools that help poverty-focused organizations become more effective. Its Community Knowledge Worker initiative in Uganda, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, creates two-way mobile-based communication between farmers and industry actors, enabling frequent and rich exchanges on farming best practices that are typically impossible through traditional extension services.

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. GSMA Mobile for Development brings together our mobile operator members, the wider mobile industry and development community to drive commercial mobile services for underserved people in emerging markets.The GSMA’s mAgri Programme aims to improve the productivity and incomes of smallholder farmers in emerging markets through commercial mobile services. Through the mFarmer Initiative, we work with mobile operators, the development community and agricultural organisations to facilitate the creation of scalable, replicable and commercially sustainable agricultural information and advisory services. The Initiative includes challenge fund grants, technical assistance, best practice sharing and impact evaluation.

is a bimonthly printed and online magazine and an accompanying e-mail  newsletter published by CTA. Each issue focuses on a specific theme related to ICTs for agricultural and rural development in ACP countries.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) works with poor rural people to enable them to grow and sell more food, increase their incomes and determine the direction of their own lives. Since 1978, IFAD has invested about US$14.8 billion in grants and low-interest loans to developing countries through projects empowering over 400 million people to break out of poverty, thereby helping to create vibrant rural communities. IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized UN agency based in Rome – the United Nations’ food and agriculture hub. It is a unique partnership of 172 members from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), other developing countries and the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development (OECD).

The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization addressing critical issues such as international food security, the alleviation of global hunger and poverty, environmental protection and the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency. IFDC focuses on increasing productivity across the agricultural value chain in developing countries. This is achieved by the creation and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise. In order to build comprehensive, credible sources of market information for all stakeholders, IFDC is utilizing a portfolio of Market Information Systems (MIS), monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools, and geographic information systems (GIS) software and tools across its projects.

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides evidence-based policy solutions to sustainably end hunger and malnutrition and reduce poverty. The Institute conducts research, communicates results, optimizes partnerships, and builds capacity to ensure sustainable food production, promote healthy food systems, improve markets and trade, transform agriculture, build resilience, and strengthen institutions and governance. Gender is considered in all of the Institute’s work.  

ICT4D depends not only on connectivity, but also on people’s capability to use and access the new tools and the relevant content. IFPRI examines all three “Cs,” tries to measure their impact, and provides recommendations on how to achieve success across all three areas simultaneously.

With the right information, people can considerably improve their quality of life. Better use information and communication technology (ICT) is particularly vital in enabling them to achieve their goals. This is why the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) supports organisations in developing countries to develop technical and social innovations that create and enhance development opportunities in education, economic development, and health. In order to enable partners from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to effectively embed the use of ICT in their work, IICD engages in wider policy discussions and knowledge sharing to help improve practices, stimulate innovation and leveraging of experiences. Our goal is to help our local partners – teachers, farmers, health workers, local government officials and civil servants – to successfully implement their own ICT-supported development programmes and policies. 

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for better and more sustainable use of livestock. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and Southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. ILRI employs ICTs to connect its staff and partners, to make its knowledge and information accessible and as a tool in its research. Many of its projects are experimenting with ICTs, notably mobile phones, GIS, radio, video, and the internet as tools to extend their engagement with partners and enrich the interactions with communities and policy-makers

infoDev is a Global Partnership Program, coordinated and served by an expert Secretariat housed in the Finance and Private Sector Vice Presidency (FPDVP) of the  World Bank Group. Its strategic goal is to promote the growth of technology enterprises to enhance sustainable inclusive growth, competitiveness, and jobs. infoDev focuses on the following key areas to achieve its goal: (i) assisting in taking technologies to market; (ii) assisting in creating and growing sustainable enterprises that are technology enabled; (iii) promoting an enabling environment for innovation and adoption of appropriate technologies to promote enterprise growth as well as ensure effective competition so that the market functions to widen access to technology at affordable prices; (iv) disseminating research and best practices to enhance growth and sustainability of enterprises in the technology and technology-enabled space; (v) building capacity to enhance the sustainability of enterprises; and (vi) providing technical assistance to incubators to ensure Access to Finance (A2F) and Access to Markets (A2M). 

Integra LLC is an international development consulting firm and implementing partner for USAID’s Global Broadband and Innovations (GBI) Program. Integra provides highly specialized technical assistance to clients, primarily in the areas of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Development and Economic Growth.
Integra’s staff has extensive experience in managing multiple projects under GBI in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Indonesia, Colombia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Peru. Integra advises Universal Service and Access Funds (USAFs) on a range of ICT-related topics to expand broadband access, improve regulatory policy and facilitate public-private partnerships. Recent work includes supporting Kenya’s development of their National Broadband Strategy, assisting BAPPENAS (the national planning agency of Indonesia) on the development of a new strategic approach for managing Indonesia’s universal service funds, and supporting Colombia’s COMPARTEL with a strategic plan for extending broadband connectivity for rural users. Other ICT-related work includes conducting broadband access gap analyses, drafting national broadband strategies, and performing country-specific research and development on the ICT sector.

IWMI is a non-profit, scientific research organization focusing on the sustainable use of water and land resources in developing countries. It is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with regional offices across Asia and Africa. IWMI works in partnership with governments, civil society and the private sector to develop scalable agricultural water management solutions that have a real impact on poverty reduction, food security and ecosystem health. Under its Strategic Research Portfolio on the “Information Systems”, the institute and its partners undertake a number of projects in the area of remote sensing and GIS for developing global products, and use of ICT products and services for the benefit of smallholders farmers and the related institutions.

is a social enterprise, formed by six young Tanzanians with the mission of growing and accelerating the Tanzanian technology and social landscape through capacity building, and developing a culture of collaboration, innovation and co-creation. The KINU innovation space was set up to provide an open space, where the community can participate in workshops and co-creation activities to generate new solutions to social challenges. Part of our portfolio includes programs for women, youth and children. KINU has also established employment services catering specifically to the ICT and technology sector within the East African region. KINU works with organizations within both the private, international and public sectors to achieve its goals. The KINU Innovation Space has been established with initial funding from Google Inc. and The Indigo Trust. 

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is a programme of the African Union (AU) adopted in Lusaka, Zambia in 2001. NEPAD is a radically new intervention, spearheaded by African leaders to pursue new priorities and approaches to the political and socio-economic transformation of Africa. In February 2010, the 14th AU Assembly established the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) as a technical body of the African Union. The core mandate of the NEPAD Agency is to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of regional and continental priority programmes and projects and to push for partnerships, resource mobilisation and research and knowledge management.

The NEPAD e-Africa Programme drives and delivers NEPAD’s ICT development agenda, built on 4 pillars: ICT Infrastructure, Enabling Environment, Capacity Building, and ICT Applications and Services.  Currently, the e-Africa Programme has projects in ICT Broadband infrastructure, ICT4E (NEPAD e-schools) and Internet Governance with future projects planned in Community Informatics (for Agriculture and Rural Development), workforce development and ICT indicators.

is a non-profit organization with mandate of promoting the innovative use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and SME development in Rwanda. RTN was created in 2006 with the support of telecentre.org, now known as telecentre.org foundation. RTN's mission is to create a large network of telecentres. These centres would act as being the first, the last and the most reliable point of delivery of key services and information to citizens. RTN's work is organized around five 6 program areas: deployment of Telecentres in rural Rwanda, business development services for SME, capacity building for telecentre managers and Staff, provision of local content and services, advocacy and knowledge sharing.

Oxfam is a vibrant global movement of dedicated people fighting poverty. Our purpose is to work with others to overcome poverty and suffering. We believe that in a world rich in resources, poverty is not inevitable. It is an injustice which can, and must, be overcome. Working with local partner organisations in more than 60 of the poorest countries around the world, Oxfam concentrates on three interlinking areas of work: development projects that put poor people in charge of their lives and livelihoods, campaigning for change that lasts, and rebuilding lives after emergencies.

Oxfam believes in the potential of mobile technology to radically change asymmetric power relationships between female and male small farmers and the actors and services connecting them to markets, while assisting the development and exchange of agricultural and environmental knowledge to help the development of a more sustainable and resilient agriculture at a grassroots level.

As one of the world’s leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world.

Purpose-built for the 21st century, the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus opened in Kelowna in 2005. More than 8,300 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs in eight faculties and schools. UBC’s Okanagan campus, delivers distinctive academic and professional programs in a unique and intimate learning community. Here, students interact with one another and their professors on a daily basis, while becoming global citizens through interaction with their community and the world. 

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drives and sustains development that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspectives and local insights to help empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP has been a pioneer in the use of ICTs for enhancing human development. Since 1992, the organization has supported governments and civil society organizations (CSOs) to harness ICTs to deliver better public services, enhance the participation and involvement of citizens through networking in the various governance-related processes and issues and foster transparency and accountability. By the end of 2012, UNDP was supporting close to 230 ICT for development and e-governance projects in 94 developing countries, spending close to 220 million USD.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the principal U.S. Government agency that extends assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. At the same time, it expands stable, free societies, builds the capacity of local institutions and fosters markets and trade partnerships. Through investments in science, technology and innovation, USAID is harnessing the same forces that yielded the great breakthroughs of the past to transform more lives than ever before.

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a training arm of the United Nations System. We provide services to the United Nations Member States in the form of training and research to educate and engage stakeholders in the fields of Environment, Governance, Peace, Security and Diplomacy.

Among its core activities, UNITAR works to enable the expanded use of technology to facilitate learning, enhance collaboration and improve the access to information by capacitating beneficiaries in the use of ICT and outreach tools for development, such as web 2.0 and social media.

Yam Pukri is an association based in Burkina Faso that specializes in training, advising and disseminating information on the application of new technologies to rural and urban areas since 1998. Yam Pukri’s objectives are to: stimulate appreciation and skill development in new scientific technologies, make new scientific technologies available to rural areas by setting up community access points, support local organisations, NGOs and international development organisations in conceptualising and realising new technology and technology solutions for dissemination capacity building and implementation, as well as carrying out technology training sessions in rural and urban areas. Projects developed by Yam Pukri and its partner organizations include the set up of several online portals used for sharing and disseminating information on different topics (ICT portal (), Development portal (faso-dev.net,) Development videos portal () and a road show training in Web 2.0 in rural areas.

Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) was initiated in May 2000 by several women’s organisations in Uganda to develop the use of ICTs among women as tools to share information and harness opportunities that ICTs offer. WOUGNET programs are guided by two pillars: ICTs as tools for development, and Gender responsiveness of ICT programs and policies. The three program areas, under which Access4Development Projects are implemented, are Information Sharing and Networking, Technical Support, and Gender and ICT Policy Advocacy. Examples of Access4Dev Projects include “Enhancing Access to Agricultural Information using ICTs”, “Market Access using ICTs”, and “Empowering local people and community to demand for improved service delivery through use of ICTs”.