Description
The "Piloting Digital Villages in Central Asia” FVC/GLO/171/MUL project has been implemented by FAO in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan through the so-called Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC) pooled funding tool. The initiative has facilitated the establishment of Central Asia’s first digital villages under the FAO Digital Villages Initiative (DVI). Over 30 villages were assessed using FAO’s Readiness Assessment Tool to identify those with the highest potential for success in their transformation into Digital Villages. In Uzbekistan, the project organizers identified and collaborated with the neighbouring rural communities of Novkent and Yuksalish in Fergana Valley. The project saw young local people getting involved in a dedicated innovation programme through which they acquired coding skills and collaborated with farmers to come up with innovations making use of cost-effective yet high-quality IoT sensors designed for small greenhouse owners. In Tajikistan, Lolazor village enhanced its mobile connectivity and increased its agritourism potential through digitalization with a view to attracting tourists to the scenic Hisor Valley. All rural communities underwent capacity development and living labs initiatives to identify the challenges they face and to come up with solutions. Furthermore, a twinning programme was launched facilitating the exchange of knowledge between communities and organizations in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. In Kyrgyzstan, a “Digital Villages Farmer Service Centres” model was conceptualized to pave the way for the digitalization of public services in agriculture. On a regional scale, an AgriTech Observatory was established, among other knowledge-related projects.
Technology
In Uzbekistan, the project piloted the use of smart sensors based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and open-source tools. The devices, designed specifically for small-scale farmers and small greenhouses, allow for the remote control of temperature, humidity, light and soil conditions, as well as irrigation, making use of a Telegram bot, and a Telegram group has been established to mobilize the community, to facilitate the sharing of agricultural advice and for the promotion of online discussions, while a YouTube channel serves as a shared repository of agricultural best practices. In Tajikistan, geographically referenced digital maps have been created to support the establishment of touristic destination routes, and the community has been provided with training in the use of digital tools and social media to support the promotion of the village and local produce online. In the same valley, a demo plot of the Tajik Agrarian University has been equipped with smart irrigation technologies and digital insect traps to demonstrate to students the use of digital solutions in agriculture.
Target
The project targets specifically small-scale farmers, women and young people residing in rural communities. In Uzbekistan, the main beneficiaries were primarily homestead farmers growing food in their backyard gardens. In Tajikistan, the project focused on a range of smallholders, encompassing small livestock herders and individuals with disabilities. In Kyrgyzstan, the project focused on conceptualizing an approach for digital public services delivery for the Ministry of Agriculture.
Business model
Impact
The project brought about the establishment of the first Digital Villages in Central Asia. By piloting IoT sensors and smart technologies, small-scale farmers can increase their climate resilience, while enabling the remote monitoring and control of agricultural conditions. The focus on capacity development and innovation has instilled a culture of digital empowerment, while improving mobile connectivity in Lolazor village in Tajikistan has not only paved the way for agritourism, but also enhanced the promotion of local products. Knowledge exchanges and twinning programmes have facilitated collaborative problem-solving and the enrichment of community knowledge. The conceptualization of "Digital Villages Farmer Service Centres" in Kyrgyzstan has brought about a shift towards the digitalization of public services in agriculture, promising sustained benefits.
Partners
In Kyrgyzstan: AgroSmart and the Internet Society Kyrgyzstan Chapter; in Tajiksitan: Center for Sociological Research “Zerkalo”, Tajik Agrarian University, Tourism Development Center (TDC); in Uzbekistan: AKIS Fergana, CGIAR, Fergana State University, IT-Park, OSCE Project Co-ordinator
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
Better life
