By Zablon Oyugi, November 28, 2024, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)-Rwanda has unveiled the “Fostering Digital Villages through innovative advisory and profitable market services in Africa (FDiVi)” project, an initiative that aims to transform Rwandan agriculture through digital tools usage and adoption.
In an event attended by representatives of FAO, farmer organizations, digital ambassadors also brought together youth, women, and field agents from the districts of Musanze, Ngororero, Nyagatare, and Nyanza to gather at Musanze District to witness the demonstration of the project.
FDIVI aims to transform the agricultural practices of farmer organizations and field agents by introducing digital solutions suited to the needs of rural communities. Easier access to information, weather forecasts, and market opportunities should help farmers make informed decisions to optimize yields and resilience.
The FDIVI project, designed in partnership between the FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) aims to improve agricultural advisory services, increase market access for rural farmers, and build digital skills among producers.
In line with national priorities, the project seeks to empower farmers, especially young people and women, to take an active role in modernizing agriculture and supporting economic growth in rural areas. It is also aligned to the FAO Digital Villages Initiative.
Participants of FDIVI launch event enjoyed an open space for dialogue and exchange, fostering collaboration among the various stakeholders involved in the project.
Local authority representatives emphasized the importance of this initiative for the local economy and expressed their support for the digital transformation of agriculture.
Youth and women attendees shared their motivation to adopt digital tools to expand their agricultural activities and improve their access to information and markets.
The Digital Agriculture and Innovation solutions’ exhibition took place alongside the launch event and was attended by Rwanda Coding Academy (RCA) students and private companies (Solektra, Charis and Spiderbit).
Speaking during the event, Mr Placide Nshuti Kanyabujinga who represented FAO Rwanda, emphasized that the success of FDiVi project hinges on strong partnerships, where each stakeholder will bring unique strengths to create a digitally connected, resilient, and thriving agricultural landscape.
Speaking to the audience, the Mayor of Musanze, Mr Claudien Nsengimana commended FAO Rwanda’s effort to transform the lives of Musanze population through access and adoption of digital technologies. The event was also attended by Mayor of Nyanza, Mayor of Ngororero and Vice Mayor of Economic Development from Nyagatare.
The event marked a strong commitment to agricultural digital development and the strengthening of digital skills in rural agriculture communities. The FDIVI project is a concrete initiative to modernize Rwandan agriculture by putting digital tools in the hands of farmers.
