Description
The DVI hub in the Novkent and Yuksalish pilot Digital Villages in Uzbekistan serves as a centralized platform for the dissemination of agricultural information and resources, providing farmers with timely insights, promoting continuous learning and facilitating peer-to-peer exchanges of knowledge. The hub's overarching goal is to modernize farming practices, boost productivity, enhance community collaboration, and equip farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate challenges and take advantage of the available opportunities. The hub hosts curated resources related to farming in Uzbekistan, including tutorials, articles and best practices, and offers guidance on land programmes, available subsidies and registration processes.
Technology
The hub is structured around a Telegram group and a YouTube video repository, creating a comprehensive and accessible resource for the agricultural community. The Telegram group facilitates discussions, resource sharing, and exchanges of goods or services, serving as an integrated online database of credible resources and expert contacts, while the live chat feature allows farmers to discuss, share experiences, and buy or sell their produce. The community also meets regularly for living lab digital workshops on Telegram to discuss the challenges they face with invited experts. The YouTube Repository serves as a dedicated channel hosting best practice videos, expert advice segments, tutorials on digital tools in farming, recorded entrepreneurship training sessions and other relevant content submitted by the community.
Target
The Telegram group is open to all members of the Novkent and Yukhsalish rural communities and experts willing to respond to farmers’ questions at no charge. The YouTube channel is open to the public.
Business model
The initiative was launched with financial contributions of FAO under the Flexible Voluntary Cooperation mechanism FVC/GLO/171/MUL “Piloting Digital Villages in Central Asia”. All resources are accessible without cost.
Impact
The DVI hub serves as a dynamic platform for the Novkent and Yukhsalish communities and local stakeholders. Through the Telegram group, farmers can access a wealth of curated resources, enabling them to enhance their knowledge of various aspects of farming, from seed vendors to agricultural schemes. The interactive nature of the platform fosters networking among farmers and professionals, creating a collaborative environment for problem-solving and the discovery of new opportunities. The hub's comprehensive features, including tutorials, articles and best practices, contribute to a significant enhancement of the skills and knowledge of farmers. Moreover, the DVI hub overcomes logistical challenges by reducing the need for physical travel through digital channels. This not only adds a layer of convenience to farmers but also widens their market reach, and allows them to leverage digital skills, potentially boosting sales and connecting with broader audiences.
Partners
Local administrations of Novkent and Yuksalish villages
Four Betters
Better production
Better life
