Digital tools promise cheaper advice, better market information, access to finance and traceable supply chains for smallholders. The record of implementation, however, is mixed. Projects stumble when they begin with technology rather than a farmer problem, ignore connectivity and trust, or depend on subsidies that vanish at the end of a grant.

This programme guides participants through a disciplined planning and implementation cycle. It starts with problem definition and farmer-centred design, including how to involve women, youth and farmers with limited literacy. Participants then survey the agritech landscape, learn how to assess solutions and vendors, and examine integration with cooperatives, input dealers, buyers, banks and government extension. Data topics include data ownership, consent, privacy, interoperability and the use of farmer data for credit scoring and advisory.

The later sessions turn to execution: designing and running a pilot, building agent and last-mile networks, onboarding and training users, managing change within partner organisations and tracking adoption, retention and outcomes. Participants also test business models, from subscription and commission to bundled services, and explore financing routes. Learning is delivered through demonstrations, case studies of African agritech initiatives, and a project clinic. By the end, every participant has a complete plan for a digital initiative in their own context.

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

• Identify farmer problems and needs through user research and journey mapping.
• Compare digital solution types and match them to smallholder realities.
• Evaluate vendors and partners using clear selection criteria.
• Address gender, literacy and connectivity barriers in solution design.
• Apply sound data protection, consent and ownership practices.
• Design and manage a pilot with defined success measures.
• Build agent and training models that support adoption.
• Test business models and plan for sustainability and scale.

The course suits those who plan, fund or deliver digital solutions for farmers, including:

• Agricultural project and programme managers
• Extension and advisory service officers
• Cooperative, farmer union and agribusiness leaders
• Mobile network operator and fintech product managers
• Agritech founders and start-up teams
• Development agency and donor advisers
• Agricultural bank and insurance staff
• Monitoring and evaluation officers

Participants leave the programme with:

• A farmer persona and journey map for their target group.
• A solution comparison matrix and vendor assessment sheet.
• A data protection and consent checklist for farmer information.
• A pilot design including budget, timeline and indicators.
• An agent network and training outline.
• A business model canvas with revenue options and a scale-up path.

The course is practical, built around a project that each participant brings, and includes:

• Live demonstrations of advisory, payment and mapping tools
• Case studies from African agritech services
• User research and journey mapping exercises
• A project clinic with facilitator feedback on each plan
• Group critique of pilot designs and business models

Participants who attend all five days and present an implementation plan receive a Certificate of Completion from Vision Reach Global Consultancy, which is CPD-accredited.