1. INTRODUCTION TO THE VIRTUAL PLATFORM OF THE AFRICAN FORUM FOR AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY SERVICES (AFAAS)

2. A BOUT THIS PRESENTATION It presents: A summary of what a member can do on the platform; An introduction to the main pages & functionalities therein; Screen shots of the main pages bearing brief descriptions of their features; At any stage you can go back to the previous view by pressing the UP Arrow or speed up the presentation by pressing the DOWN Arrow.

3. W HAT IS THE AFAAS V IRTUAL P LATFORM ? A dynamic & interactive virtual social community made up of diverse Agricultural Advisory Services (AAS) stakeholders; It is primarily intended to promote exchange of information and sharing experiences among the stakeholders; Its intended outcomes are innovations that can improve AAS in Africa; It is open to all individuals and organisations interested in improving AAS in Africa.

4. W HAT THE AFAAS VIRTUAL PLATFORM CAN DO Enable members in the virtual social community to: Communicate with each other & connect to others in different groups & country fora; Post questions on the platform via the web or SMS; Find solutions to their problems from a wide range of actors via the web or SMS; Create public ‘organisation groups’ and private ‘opportunity spaces’

5. W HAT THE AFAAS VIRTUAL PLATFORM CAN DO ( CONTINUED ) Enable members in the virtual social community to: Advertise the services that they and their organizations can offer; Collaborate in finding innovative solutions/approaches for advisory service-related problems; Identify AAS-related business opportunities and develop them into business plans; Get mentors and sponsors/investors for their ideas.

6. H OW IT WORKS

7. A virtual Problem Solving area An area for people, organisations and groups to create their own web pages An area for people to develop opportunities into business plans An inclusive platform for various stakeholders in the AAS field An area where a user can get help on how to use the platform

8. PROBLEM SOLVING Post a question or solution related to any of the different categories by web or SMS; Receive responses through email and SMS notifications; Follow a thread of responses.

9. PROBLEM SOLVING ( CONTINUED ) Send questions by SMS: 1. On your mobile phone under the message menu, type in your question; 2. Send the message to +44 7624 803768 Send answers/responses by SMS: 1. On your mobile phone under the message menu, enter the ‘SMS Problem ID’, leave a space and enter your response; 2. Send the SMS to +44 7624 803768.

10. Post requests for information by web or SMS Question is posted on the web & also sent by SMS & web to registered “Answerers” Questions can be categorized by different broad fields & topics All responses are stored on the platform & over time a permanent searchable problem solving knowledge base is created

11. Other people who want to know the answer can indicate their interest & receive responses Different people can respond to a question & their responses are posted on the platform & also sent by SMS Responses can be made directly on the web or sent to the platform by SMS

12. PEOPLE, ORGANISATIONS & GROUPS Create personal, organisational and group profiles; Connect with other members; Follow activities of organisations of interest to you; Form and join groups of interest to you.

13. A directory of members A directory of organisations A directory of groups Searchable database of members, organisations & groups

14. PEOPLE

15. People can describe themselves People can describe the products /services they offer The opportunities on the platform which they are involved in Show the questions they have contributed to Upload their picture Send & receive emails to/ from other members Offer their contact details

16. ORGANISATIONS

17. Show their Logo Describe themselves Start & comment on discussions One can ask to join the organisation’s space on the platform Give their contact details Show activities they are involved in on the platform

18. GROUPS

19. Invite members to join your group Describe your group Form a group based on various subject areas Start & comment on group discussions Share files

20. OPPORTUNITIES Create and develop opportunities in private virtual spaces; Invite others to join your opportunity to collaboratively develop your ideas through a structured process; Attract mentors, partners and investors, and build support.

21. Registered members can create an opportunity Problem solving activity can generate opportunities Basic information on on-going opportunities can be viewed on the platform

22. Activity on the opportunity continuously displayed Opportunity has an administrator who invites & admits members, & manages the development of the opportunity All members of an opportunity are shown Brief description of the opportunity can be viewed by the public Details can be public or private Systematic & guided process for developing an idea/ business plan Opportunity team can seek mentor, sponsor, investor Option to start & comment on discussions

23. SUPPORT

24. Access to tools & guides on the platform Options to start discussions & add comments A series of support & ‘How to’ discussion pages Access to discussions Access to interactive support on how to work on the platform

25. V ISIT : HTTP :// NETWORKING. AFAAS - AFRICA. ORG /