Seeds of Change: Zimbabwe’s Digital Fair Cultivates Next‑Gen Farming

• Photo: Farmers and agri-entrepreneurs in Bikita explore digital tools and smart technologies at the Digital Fair, empowering rural communities through hands-on learning and real-time onboarding (Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa

When the sun rose over Bikita District in late June, a crowd gathered—but this wasn’t market day. It was the Digital Fair, hosted under the FAO’s Fostering Digital Villages Initiative (FDiVi), a showcase of how technology is reshaping rural agriculture in Zimbabwe. For farmers accustomed to traditional methods, it was a glimpse into the future.

It wasn’t the first such event—the FDiVi project has been building momentum since its September 2024 launch, heralded by Deputy Minister Haritatos as a means to turn Zimbabwe’s smallholders into active economic participants rather than spectators . Over the past weeks, Digital Champions—30 lead farmers and 20 extension officers—have been trained to carry the torch into their communities.

At the fair in Masvingo Province, stalls featured AI-powered advisory apps, drone services, mobile market platforms, and digital wallets. Experts and farmers crowded around demos. One moment, a farmer snapped a photo of his maize field. Moments later, AI analysis flagged pest infestation and offered treatment options—no agricultural degree required .

“There’s real excitement,” said District Development Coordinator Bernard Hadzirambwi. “Digital innovation thrives when communities engage directly”. Nearby, young farmer Sheunesu Njeke, 26, grinned: “Now I can connect directly with buyers via phone, use AI to plan sowing—technology gives me confidence”

FAO’s Patrice Talla emphasized that FDiVi targets youth and women, aiming for inclusive transformation. Digital hubs are being established in Bikita and Mhondoro‑Ngezi, offering free internet, computer training, and access to service providers.

The project’s model is proving scalable: extension officers have already trained more than 3,000 farmers, cascading digital skills through wards. Social media buzz shows its growing reach—tweets by FAO Zimbabwe and TechAfrica News highlight the fair’s .momentum and the hashtag #FDiVi is gaining traction

Yet challenges remain. Internet affordability and infrastructure gaps persist; hubs must balance sustainability with access . Still, the fair signaled a shift: digital agriculture is no longer theory—it’s taking root.

Next steps include integrating digital fairs into local agri‑shows and bolstering support for entrepreneurs bringing tech solutions to rural communities. With each village connected, Zimbabwe edges closer to climate-smart, market-savvy farming.

Why It Matters

• Empowers farmers: From field diagnostics to market link-ups, tools help farmers make informed decisions and increase incomes.

• Engages youth and women: Digital Champions amplify benefits across demographics.

• A replicable model: Already underway in Malawi and Rwanda, Zimbabwe’s learning curve can benefit the entire region.

• Toward a digital food future: Linking extension services, marketplaces, financial tools, and climate data demonstrates holistic agrifood transformation.

The Digital Fair wasn’t just a showcase—it was a planting of possibilities. Tech turned observers into participants, skeptics into adopters, and rural stations into hubs of innovation. If FDiVi continues to grow, Zimbabwe’s countryside may soon lead Africa’s digital farming revolution.

Key Facts at a Glance