AGRIdigitalización is a project funded by an
Mobility restrictions put in place to contain the pandemic have affected many food supply chains and it has been difficult for small-scale farmers to access basic agricultural inputs like tools or seeds. Technical assistance activities have been interrupted for months and, with local markets closed and traditional transportation options reduced, their product commercialization has become even more difficult and expensive than before.
"COVID-19 has only increased some existing gaps in our societies. No doubt one of them is family farmers' lack of access to markets and financial services. IFAD has been working for years to bridge this gap, something that is even more essential in this pandemic context," said
"The future of the economy will be digital. This, which is already true for global and urban companies, will also apply to family farming. This project is about granting the region's small-scale producers access to that future," she added.
Agridigit
AGRIdigitalización will be implemented by a consortium of organizations led by
Through the project, 86 producer organizations will be able to market their products online and 132 rural savings cooperatives will be able to offer their financial services through digital platforms. The project will also benefit small internet companies run by young people which have a presence in rural areas, who will provide services to the producer organizations and rural savings cooperatives. In addition, 3,000 farmers will receive virtual technical assistance and trainings, and digital communication tools will be set up to replace in-person meetings.
"The digital world offers endless possibilities for family farmers to enter the financial and commercial market, solve communication problems and receive technical assistance. However, to take advantage of these tools, it is necessary to strengthen the management of cooperatives and train their members," said Polastri.
"By strengthening cooperatives, farmers can lead the transformation of agricultural countries to modern industrialized ones, at the same time helping reduce unemployment, securing food and avoiding social conflicts. The more cooperatives a country has, the higher it ranks in the social progress scale. Professionalization of cooperatives is key for their success. They are more resilient to crisis and they can - and must - be a bastion for post-COVID recovery," said
The organizations participating in the project will achieve greater efficiency thanks to better time management, lower operating and transportation costs, access to new business opportunities, financial inclusion and better communication. They will acquire the ability to supply agricultural products and access production inputs in e-commerce environments, as well as to establish partnerships with companies already present in digital value chains and to have access to financial services through virtual systems.
With a focus on reaching women and young people, AGRIdigitalización will be implemented in
AGRIdigitalización will be implemented by
Contact:
Juan Ignacio Cortés
j.cortescarrasbal@ifad.org
Mobile: +34 680 22 05 66
IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided
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