Scaling Digital Rural Advisory Services in NENA: From Innovation to Impact
14/04/2026
08/04/2026, Cairo
The FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE), through the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS), convened a regional webinar on “Scaling Digital Rural Advisory Services in NENA: Opportunities, Innovations and Practical Recommendations.”
The event brought together policymakers, researchers, private sector actors and development partners to explore how digital solutions can strengthen rural advisory systems and better support farmers across the region.
Rural Advisory Services (RAS) play a critical role in improving farmers’ access to knowledge, technologies, markets and finance. However, despite growing digital innovation, challenges such as limited connectivity, low digital literacy and fragmented advisory systems continue to hinder scaling efforts.
Opening the webinar, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, Dr Abdulhakim Elwaer, emphasized the importance of inclusive digital transformation:
“Digital transformation offers significant opportunities to strengthen rural advisory services and reach more farmers, including those in remote areas. However, this transformation must be inclusive, ensuring that innovations are accessible, relevant and designed to meet farmers’ real needs.”
Throughout the webinar, participants highlighted the need to move from fragmented approaches towards integrated, farmer-centered digital advisory systems. Discussions focused on strengthening policy frameworks, investing in digital infrastructure and skills, and leveraging innovation to deliver localized, timely and actionable advice.
The importance of inclusive approaches was also emphasized, particularly in ensuring that women and youth benefit from digital transformation and are actively engaged in agrifood systems.
Faten Adada, Agriculture and Rural Development Expert and day-to-day manager of the Rural Transformation Team at FAO RNE, highlighted the role of regional collaboration:
“Scaling digital rural advisory services requires strong partnerships, knowledge exchange and coordinated action across countries. AFRAS plays a key role in bringing stakeholders together to share experiences and accelerate innovation in the region.”
The webinar concluded with a call for action to embed digital RAS into national systems, strengthen capacity development, and align innovation with broader priorities such as climate resilience, water security and sustainable agrifood systems.
As countries across the region continue to advance digital agriculture, the discussions underscored that technology alone is not enough, success will depend on building inclusive systems that combine innovation, human capacity and strong institutional support.