County Level Policy Dialogue under DC4FC -AIRTEA project

 AIRTEA project
Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and the Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Livelihoods in Eastern Africa (AIRTEA) is project funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by a consortium of organizations: the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), and the East African Farmers’ Federation (EAFF) and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). Being implemented in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, AIRTEA aims to revolutionize agricultural practices by empowering youth and women through innovative technology solutions and multi-stakeholder collaboration. By fostering inclusive innovation environments and leveraging strategic partnerships, AIRTEA seeks to catalyze sustainable agricultural livelihoods and foster rural transformation in Eastern Africa.
CHALLENGE/RATIONALE
Africa’s agriculture heavily relies on smallholder farmers, especially women. However, limited access to markets and information on supply and demand hinders their profitability. This discourages youth involvement and slows down agricultural and rural development. Despite efforts in agricultural technology development, Eastern Africa still faces challenges in achieving food security and rural livelihood improvement, especially for marginalized groups like youth and women. Traditional approaches to technology adoption lack effective engagement between researchers and end-users. AIRTEA proposes alternative strategies like Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) through multi-stakeholder IPs to ensure impactful research outcomes.
FOCUS
AIRTEA aims to enhance the capacity of youth and women in multi-stakeholder innovation platforms (IPs) to leverage technological solutions within national, regional, and global food systems. By strengthening Agricultural Business Learning Alliances (ABLAs), the project fosters improved profitability and employment opportunities along agricultural commodity value chains in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
THIRD PARTY PROJECTS
AIRTEA, supported by the European Union through the ACP Innovation Fund, has collaborated with FARA, ASARECA, and EAFF to implement 11 third-party projects across Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. These projects aim to address various agricultural challenges, ranging from aquaculture value chain development to enhancing market access for indigenous vegetables.
DIGITAL CONNECTORS FOR FARMING COMMUNITIES (DC4FC)
Digital Connectors for Farming Communities (DC4FC) is one of the 11 third-party projects under AIRTEA, implemented by the Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) through the country fora: Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services – Kenya (KeFAAS) in Kenya and Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) in Uganda, DC4FC aims to bridge the gap between rural farming communities and modern agricultural technologies by empowering a new generation of digital connectors. In today’s digital age, access to timely and relevant information is crucial for farmers to make informed decisions and optimize their agricultural practices. However, many smallholder farmers, especially in remote rural areas, lack access to such resources, hindering their productivity and profitability. DC4FC seeks to address this challenge by leveraging digital technologies and innovative approaches to disseminate agricultural knowledge and best practices directly to farming communities.
Through the DC4FC project, rural youth and women are being equipped with the necessary digital skills and knowledge to serve as intermediaries between agricultural experts and farmers. These digital connectors act as conduits for extension information, providing tailored extension services, market insights, weather forecasts, and technological solutions to farmers.
By harnessing the power of digital connectivity, DC4FC not only empowers rural communities with vital agricultural information but also fosters economic opportunities for the digital connectors themselves. Through their role as facilitators of agricultural knowledge transfer, digital connectors are not only enhancing farming practices but also creating sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their communities.
In partnership with local authorities, academic institutions, and agricultural organizations, DC4FC is paving the way for a more inclusive and resilient agricultural sector in in Kenya. With its innovative approach to digital extension services, DC4FC is poised to drive meaningful change, empower rural communities, and contribute to the overall objectives of the AIRTEA initiative.
ACTIVITIES
The project encompasses a set of activities aimed at empowering and supporting digital connectors in their role as intermediaries between agricultural experts and rural communities. These activities include:
Identification and profiling of potential digital connectors.
Training and continuous coaching and mentoring of digital connectors.
Development of customized business models for digital connectors.
Profiling of ICT/digital solution providers and organizing marketplaces to facilitate engagement between them and digital connectors.
Conducting needs assessments, developing and disseminating knowledge products, and analysing existing policies.
Conducting policy dialogues and disseminating policy briefs.
Coordination and review meetings, along with baseline surveys and endline assessments, to monitor project progress effectively.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PROJECT
Seven digital connectors identified, trained, and coached.
Seven business models developed by digital connectors and businesses established.
Over 24,536 farmers have received extension services from the digital connectors.
Digital connectors have been supported with digital infrastructure, including tablets, data bundles, and knowledge products.
The project baseline was successfully conducted.
Capacity needs assessment for existing innovation platforms has been conducted.
Agricultural extension digital solution providers have been profiled.
These achievements demonstrate the significant progress and impact of the project in empowering rural communities and fostering agricultural development in Eastern Africa.