Caribou Digital

Study Title: Social Agriculture in WAEMU: Driving Sustainable Livelihoods and Job Creation in Côte d'Ivoire and Benin

Background

In 2020, Caribou Digital identified a dynamic trend: agripreneurs, including farmers are increasingly leveraging social media to enhance their livelihoods. Social agriprenuers leaverage social media platforms to share their journeys across various value chains, offer agronomic and health advisory, showcase innovative and sustainable farming practices, sell produce, and build vibrant online communities among other things. However, being a successful social agripreneur requires more than just the ability to use social media. It demands a range of digital skills, including the ability to create compelling, engaging content that resonates with audiences and fosters meaningful interaction.

In recent years, the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the emerging landscape of social agriculture. AI-powered tools are creating new opportunities for social agripreneurs. However, to fully unlock AI's potential, agripreneurs must develop more advanced key skills, including the ability to effectively use and prompt AI tools, as well as interpret analytics from AI-powered platforms to make informed decisions.

This study will explore how social media and AI-powered tools can create sustainable livelihoods and job opportunities, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire and Benin, and how these technologies can revitalize the agricultural sector, offering new opportunities in agricultural value chains.

Purpose of the EOI

We invite qualified research partners to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to conduct a comprehensive study on the role of social agriculture in driving sustainable livelihoods and job creation in Côte d'Ivoire and Benin, two countries at different stages of economic development and digitalization. The selected research partner will be expected to provide in-depth analysis and insights that will inform the development and scaling of social agriculture, particularly in relation to youth and women’s empowerment within agricultural value chains.

Objectives of the Study

  1. Examine the digital skills required by agripreneurs to effectively leverage social media and digital tools for sustainable livelihoods and job creation.
  2. Investigate how social media can create job opportunities for youth and women in agricultural value chains.
  3. Assess the skill gaps social agripreneurs face in using social agriculture, and explore the training and support needed to close these gaps.
  4. Analyze policy frameworks in Côte d'Ivoire and Benin that impact the adoption and scaling of social agriculture.
  5. Investigate the role of AI in social agriculture, particularly in enhancing market access, community building, and business growth.
  6. Provide actionable insights and recommendations for stakeholders, including policymakers, donors, and the private sector, to enhance the adoption and scaling of social agriculture.
  7. Explore how the study’s findings can inform structural transformation in education and vocational training, integrating the skills for social agriculture.

Eligibility Criteria

The research partner must:

  • Be based in Africa.
  • Be fluent in both French and English.
  • Be available between early April and the end of August 2025 to carry out the study, including data collection and report writing.

Relevant Experience

  • Experience conducting research in any of the following areas: Agricultural Development, Digital Agriculture, Youth Employment, Entrepreneurship, or the Use and Adoption of AI in the African context.
  • Experience in ethnographic and qualitative research methods, with proficiency in narrative techniques and digital ethnography insights.
  • Experience analyzing policy frameworks and their impact on socio-economic factors such as youth employment and entrepreneurship.
  • Embraces a collaborative mindset and understands the principles of co-creation.
  • Experience in synthesizing complex data into actionable insights and writing reports.
  • Experience producing video research outputs is desirable.
  • Understanding of agricultural value chains in Côte d'Ivoire and Benin, particularly in the areas of milk, rice, and cashew production respectively is a plus.

How to Submit Your Application

Send your expression of interest by filling out this application form and a proposal including:

  • Resume of the researcher(s)
  • Proposed methodology
  • Workplan
  • Budget

Deadline for Submission

Please submit your expression of interest by 5 pm GMT on Tuesday, 11th March 2025.

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