Scaling the delivery of digital agriculture tools to enhance adaptation to a changing climate: Experiences and lessons learned from Uganda

Abstract

This brief presents lessons from the AIRTEA DC4FC project, which trained and equipped ten youth digital connectors to provide fee-based, climate-smart advisory services, inputs and market links to nearly 10,000 members of two innovation platforms in Luweero and Bugiri. Connectors mainly use WhatsApp, which works for non-literate members through audio and video, to offer subsidized weather-index insurance, solar irrigation, drought-tolerant seed, soil testing, machinery hire, post-harvest services and produce aggregation. Moderation by not-for-profit organizations builds trust, and assured off-take raises production. Barriers include distrust of pre-payment, reluctance to pay for services, and side-selling against contracts. Policy recommendations cover digital literacy for women and people over 35, phones on credit, rural connectivity, zero-rated agricultural content, ROI models for private extension, seed capital for youth agritech, and tax incentives.