FAO hosts Digital Village twinning event in Rwanda to advance digital agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), convened a Digital Village twinning event under the Fostering Digital Villages through Innovative Advisory and Profitable Market Services in Africa (FDiVi) project.

The event gathered over 130 participants, including representatives of farmer organizations, private sector partners, digital ambassadors, and government officials from the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), MINAGRI, and the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA). Discussions focused on the use of digital technologies to support agricultural productivity, improve access to markets, strengthen advisory services, and facilitate access to timely data and information.

A peer learning session enabled members of 48 farmer cooperatives to share experiences on the application of digital tools in their daily activities. The exchanges highlighted how digital solutions are contributing to improved efficiency, better market linkages, and more informed decision-making at farm and cooperative level.

District authorities from Musanze, Nyanza, Ngororero, and Nyagatare participated in a panel discussion on opportunities and challenges related to the expansion of digital agriculture in rural areas. The districts reiterated their commitment to integrating the FDiVi project into local development plans and underlined the importance of coordination and peer learning across districts, as well as knowledge exchange beyond national borders.

FAO Representative ad interim in Rwanda, Nomathemba Mhlanga, emphasized the role of digital ambassadors in supporting farmers’ digital literacy and the need for sustained engagement by local authorities.

“District and sector authorities must remain the bridge between policy and practice, between strategy and implementation,” she said.

The event also included the recognition of farmer cooperatives for their participation in the project. In this context, FAO provided 99 smartphones to selected farmer organizations to strengthen access to digital tools and services.

“This smartphone will transform how our cooperative accesses information, connects with markets, receives digital advisory services, and promotes our agricultural products using technology,” said Nyirabakiga Immaculée.

Through the FDiVi project, FAO continues to support the development of inclusive digital ecosystems that contribute to innovation, market integration, and improved livelihoods in rural areas.

Launched in April 2024, the FDiVi project supports approximately 150 farmer groups in Malawi, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe through the use of digital tools, including tablets, AI-enabled chatbots, and social media platforms, to strengthen agricultural advisory services, enhance market access, and support rural livelihoods.