FAO launches Digital Villages Initiative in Zimbabwe

KADOMA - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched the Digital Villages Initiative in Zimbabwe which is anchored on Fostering Digital Villages (FDiVi) through innovative advisory and profitable market services.

The project aims to transform agrifood systems in rural areas using effective digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Officiated by Honourable Vangelis Haritatos, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the launch was held in the Mashonaland West province with an attendance of more than 1,000 people.

“I am pleased to say that my Ministry is working in collaboration with FAO in pursuit of innovations and initiatives that aim at digitizing the life support system (agriculture sector) especially smallholder farmers with the thrust to transform them from being economic spectators to become major economic participants. For this support I would like to express my appreciation to FAO,” said the Deputy Minister.  

The FDiVi is one of FAO’s corporate initiatives and flagship programmes. It is an integrated development vision that enshrines digitalization at the core of rural transformation and prosperity, addressing on-farm and off-farm socio-economic elements. The project will facilitate the delivery of innovative agricultural extension services for increased productivity, enhanced market access, and advance inclusive rural transformation. It will also support local farmers, extension officers, agro-dealers, and processors, particularly youth and women.

“FAO believes that the Digital Village Initiative can achieve positive integration of the local economy into the mainstream economy through closing the digital gap between urban and rural areas. This project therefore seeks to first strengthen the digital infrastructure and then increase digital literacy in rural communities. In this vein we will support the establishment of Digital Hubs fully equipped to give our rural communities the best experience with digital services,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe.

The project will aid local value chain actors in becoming more productive, resilient, and competitive. It will be conducted in synergy with relevant FAO and partners’ agribusiness and market development projects. This pilot project is set to improve livelihood opportunities for over 5,000 farmers.

The launch process included a “digital fair” where private sector players exhibited digital solutions while allowing rural stakeholders to assess and chose appropriate solutions for improved agricultural production and productivity. The digital fair also offered the opportunity for stakeholders especially farmers to discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities for rural transformation using digital technologies.

The DVI project is designed with sustainability in mind with farmer association, government and private sector partners collaborating to ensure long term sustainability. Through this project, FAO will ensure that this investment will not be a white elephant by building-in demand-driven investments and for rural communities the freedom to choose service providers. The project also leverages on other FAO initiatives such as the Hand-in-Hand Initiative to match investors with rural opportunities.

The project will be implemented in the Mhondoro-Ngezi and Bikita districts where digital hubs will be equipped with digital tools and services including free internet, computers and digital literacy training materials. With this project also being implemented in Rwanda and Malawi, a Digital Village Twinning activity will be conducted to encourage cross-country exchanges and cooperation on mainstreaming digitalization for inclusive rural agrifood systems transformation.

With the pilot project having been launched, FAO will move with speed to equip identified digital hubs, identify and capacitate digital champions, support private digital service provides to improve their services and rural communities’ digital literacy for increased production and marketing.