Developing a consolidated agriculture data platform for AGRA

To empower data-driven agricultural development across Africa, AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) sought to improve the accessibility and usability of its diverse data assets. Akvo partnered with AGRA to design and prototype AgraStat - a centralised data hub that consolidates fragmented data sources into a unified, interactive platform built on CKAN, an open-source data management system.

Above: image by Ajigah Harrison on Unsplash


Partners

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)


Sector

Agriculture


Services

Platform development


Location

Kenya

The challenge

AGRA's data ecosystem was fragmented and siloed. Data existed in various formats across internal systems, country-level reports, and external platforms, making it difficult to access, standardise, and analyse. This limited AGRA’s ability to effectively monitor progress, evaluate programs, and provide timely insights for policy and investment decision-making.

 

The solution

Akvo developed a prototype of AgraStat, a centralised and scalable data platform tailored to AGRA’s operational needs. Built on CKAN, an open-source data management system, key features include:

  • Data storage, cataloguing & integration: Consolidated diverse datasets into a unified platform.
  • API access: Enabled integration with external systems and data tools.
  • Custom metadata search: Facilitated field-specific queries (e.g., crop types, data collection methods).
  • Data preview & visualisation: Enabled users to interact with data through intuitive dashboards and previews.
  • User management: Supported role-based access for different user groups.

AgraStat was developed using an agile methodology, starting with workshops and interviews to understand AGRA’s data needs. Key features were prioritised and a scalable solution was designed. The team created intuitive UI/UX mockups, developed and tested core functionalities iteratively, and provided training and user guides to ensure smooth adoption and long-term use.

Above: Agrastat platform

The impact

AgraStat has significantly enhanced AGRA’s ability to manage and utilise agricultural data. Its early features - such as streamlined data cataloguing, integration with tools like Kobo Toolbox and FAOSTAT, and interactive dashboards - have made agricultural data more accessible, actionable, and aligned with AGRA’s mission. The platform is a critical step toward enabling evidence-based policy making, improved monitoring of agricultural interventions, and more strategic investment planning.