Digital tools are changing how smallholders obtain information, inputs, finance and buyers. Mobile money has already reshaped payments, and a growing set of services now covers advisory, insurance, pest alerts, soil testing and market linkages. Yet adoption among small farms stays patchy, and many projects collapse once donor funding ends because they ignored costs, trust and local context.

The Fundamentals of Digital Agritech for Smallholders Training Course presents the field in plain terms for people who are new to it. The opening sessions cover the smallholder environment and the problems technology can and cannot solve. The programme then surveys the main categories of agritech, including advisory and e-extension, digital marketplaces, financial services, farm management and record keeping, remote sensing and weather data, precision tools and supply chain traceability. Cross-cutting sessions deal with inclusion, data protection, affordability, business models, partnerships and impact measurement.

Learning is hands-on. Participants test sample apps and services on their own devices, role-play farmer interviews and design a small pilot with clear indicators. The programme ends with each participant presenting a pilot proposal and a checklist for deciding when a digital approach is worth adopting.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the smallholder context and identify problems where digital tools add real value.
• Compare the main categories of agritech and their suitability for low-connectivity settings.
• Use mobile advisory, e-extension and farm record tools to support farmers.
• Explain how digital payments, credit and insurance services work for smallholders.
• Recognise the role of satellite, weather and sensor data in farm decisions.
• Address inclusion barriers affecting women, youth and older farmers.
• Apply basic data protection and consent principles when handling farmer information.
• Plan and measure a small digital agriculture pilot.

No prior technology background is needed. The programme suits people who work with or serve smallholder farmers, including:

• Agricultural extension officers and field facilitators
• Cooperative and farmer group leaders
• NGO and development project staff in agriculture
• Agribusiness outreach and out-grower scheme managers
• County and ministry agriculture officers
• Rural bank, SACCO and microfinance staff serving farmers
• Young agripreneurs and start-up founders
• Telecom and mobile money agents working with rural customers

Participants finish the course with:

• A clear map of agritech categories and when each one makes sense.
• A farmer needs interview guide for testing digital ideas.
• A simple scoring checklist for assessing agritech vendors and platforms.
• A one-page pilot plan with users, activities, costs and indicators.
• Practical tips for onboarding and retaining farmers on digital services.
• Awareness of consent and data protection practices in farm data collection.

The course is introductory, practical and device-friendly. Participants will experience:

• Short plain-language explanations with local examples
• Hands-on testing of mobile advisory and record-keeping tools
• Farmer interview role plays to practise listening to user needs
• Small-group design clinics for pilot planning
• Guided review of pilot proposals by facilitators and peers

Participants who attend all sessions and present a pilot plan are awarded a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion by Vision Reach Global Consultancy.