The rapid adoption of mobile phones in agricultural and production systems provides an avenue to unlock the potential of digital innovations to transform smallholder agriculture in low- and middle-income countries. Previous research highlights how the adoption of digital tools can enhance farmers' profits and marketing outcomes by improving market efficiency through better supply and demand matching.
NEW PUBLICATION | Digital literacy training to promote diffusion of digital agricultural tools to smallholder farmers
Digital innovations hold significant potential to address multiple forms of market failures. However, their adoption remains low and heterogenous across Africa. Smallholder farmers face significant barriers in accessing essential information, limiting their ability to seize market opportunities and enhance profitability. While numerous digital tools have been developed for farmers in the region, most are still in pilot phases.
Towards Advancing Children’s Nutritional Intake: Taking Stock of Evidence-based Effective School Feeding Programs in the Middle East and North Africa
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in partnership with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Fragility, Conflict and Migration (FCM) initiative organized a policy seminar titled “Towards Advancing Children’s Nutritional Intake: Taking Stock of Evidence-based Effective School Feeding Programs in the Middle East and North Africa”. The seminar presented findings from a recent randomized controlled trial, funded by partners from the private sector including HSA Group, and Tetra Pak, on the effectiveness of school feeding programs (SFPs) in emergency and humanitarian contexts.
Higher wheat prices push Egypt to increase price of subsidized bread for first time since 1989
Bread prices have long been a sensitive political issue in Egypt. In 1977, President Anwar Sadat cut the subsidies, triggering protests known as the “bread intifada”—ultimately forcing him to roll back his subsidy reform. In 2011, Egyptians took to the streets protesting the regime of President Hosni Mubarak with slogans calling for “bread, freedom, and social justice.” In 2017, Egyptian Ministry of Supply proposals to reduce the state-sponsored provision of bread from up to 4,000 to 500 loaves per bakery provoked large-scale protests across the country.
Navigating Energy Subsidy Reforms in Times of Tight Budgets and High Inflation: Balancing Growth, Equity and Social Protection in Egypt
Energy costs are on the rise in Egypt and shortages of electricity have resulted in scheduled power outages since August 2023. Understanding the trade-offs inherent in the energy subsidy system can help policymakers to chart the best course in a difficult economic period.
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