NextGen Agroadvisory
A Site-Specific, Season-Smart Decision Support Tool
The NextGen Agro-Advisory Tool is a data-driven decision support system that provides site-specific, climate-smart fertilizer and agronomic recommendations.
It integrates soil, climate, crop response trials, satellite data, and farmer feedback to generate tailored advisories that improve yield, input efficiency, and profitability.
The tool is useful because it replaces blanket recommendations with evidence-based, localized guidance that adapts to diverse agroecological conditions and farming systems machine learning models, combined with dynamic agro-climatic data, enable the identification of optimal fertilizer rates and context-appropriate management practices.
Designed to support research-to-impact pathways, the tool is particularly valuable during validation, scaling, and advisory deployment phases. It strengthens extension services, informs policy alignment, and enhances the delivery of actionable, farmer-centered advisory services.
In what context is this tool useful?
Useful in national extension systems and digital agriculture programs, particularly where there is a need for site-, context-, and climate-specific agronomic advisories. The tool supports integrated approaches to soil fertility management (ISFM), climate information services, and climate-smart agriculture (CSA).
It guides decision-making on optimal planting windows, as well as the type and quantity of fertilizers and management practices required for specific contexts. In doing so, it helps replace generalized recommendations with tailored, evidence-based advisories and strengthens national capacity to design and deliver them at scale.
Expected outcomes include higher yields, improved nutrient-use efficiency, reduced production costs, and more climate-resilient farming systems.
Key users: policymakers, extension agents, digital agriculture platforms, and farmers.
Results
The independent validation of the NextGen Decision Support Tool (DST)–based advisory by Ethiopia’s national research system highlights its strong performance and marks a pivotal step toward integrating site-specific, digital fertilizer recommendations into the national extension framework. Built on over 25,000 crop response datasets and powered by machine learning, the tool generates context-specific advisories that respond to local soil, climate, and management conditions.
In a context where wheat productivity remains constrained by soil fertility limitations, climate variability, and limited access to tailored agronomic guidance, the DST helps close critical yield gaps. Field validation results show yield increases of 14% to 20% and net return gains of up to $665 per hectare compared to conventional recommendations.
With demonstrated impact and scalability—already reaching more than 72,000 farmers—the DST is supporting more efficient input use, improving productivity, and strengthening climate resilience. Its integration into national systems, alongside strong partnerships between research, government, and delivery organizations, positions it as a transformative asset for Ethiopia’s agricultural development.
Variations, Scaling and Adaptations
The tool can be adapted to any crop, country, or agro-ecology by integrating local trial data, soil maps, and climate inputs.
It can scale through digital advisory platforms, mobile apps, radio/IVR services, and integration with national agricultural data hubs.
Contact us
Wuletawu Abera
Senior Scientist, Country Representative for Ghana
Degefie Tibebe
Research SpecialistTools often used together with this tool
Publications
Research leaders
Lulseged Tamene Desta
Director, Multifunctional Landscape
Wuletawu Abera
Senior Scientist, Country Representative for Ghana
Degefie Tibebe
Research SpecialistFunders
This tool has been developed through a collaborative partnership involving the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative (EiA), the Soil Health Support Initiative (SSHI) managed by GIZ-Ethiopia with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and AICCRA (Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa, World Bank).
Implementation and scaling are supported by a broad coalition of partners, including the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), Digital Green, Lersha, and the Coalition of the Willing, which brings together experts and institutions contributing data, technical expertise, and advisory development.