- Nairobi will host the 10th AgriFin Learning Event on October 27, bringing together investors, financial institutions and technology providers to discuss the future of digital agriculture
- The AgriFin Digital Farmer II programme registered 7.6 million farmers, exceeding its target of five million
- Discussions will explore agricultural technology investment, sustainable business models and ways to connect farmers with finance, inputs, market access and weather information
Nairobi will host investors, technology providers and agricultural experts next week to explore how digital services can reach more small-scale farmers and remain viable after donor funding ends.
Source: UGC
The 10th AgriFin Learning Event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, at Argyle Grand Hotel under the theme “Leveraging Evidence for Connected, Scalable and Inclusive Digital Agriculture.”
According to Prosper Global AgriFin, formerly Mercy Corps AgriFin, the meeting will bring together financial institutions, governments, development partners and technology companies to discuss how digital agriculture services can become sustainable businesses.
The gathering comes as organisations in the sector seek ways to maintain services after development projects and donor-funded programmes end. Discussions will focus on evidence of impact, customer demand, investment and partnerships that can help businesses continue serving farmers.
The event will also mark the conclusion of the Gates Foundation funding phase of the AgriFin Digital Farmer II programme. Under the initiative, 7.6 million farmers were registered, surpassing its target of five million, according to the event announcement.
Investment and business models
Participants will examine findings from a report tracking US$4.39 billion in agricultural technology investment across 17 emerging markets between 2023 and the third quarter of 2025.
The analysis covers more than 900 deals, 700 funded companies and 900 funders. It points to a recovery in investment following the downturn after 2022, while highlighting differences in funding conditions and business viability across markets.
Commissioned through AgriFin’s AgBase programme and developed by Briter and ISF Advisors, the report is expected to inform discussions on which business models are working and what types of financing agricultural technology companies need at different stages of growth.
Organisers say the meeting will also explore how development funding can generate evidence and reduce investment barriers, while private capital supports businesses with credible plans to remain operational.
Connecting services around farmers
For small-scale farmers, access to finance often goes hand in hand with other needs, including quality farm inputs, market access, agricultural advice, weather information and insurance.
However, when these services operate through separate systems, farmers may struggle to access the information and support they need. The event will explore how technology companies, financial institutions, governments and development partners can work together to create more connected services.
Discussions will also examine how weather and climate information can be sustained, given its importance in helping farmers make decisions amid increasingly uncertain conditions.
The programme will feature masterclasses on trusted data systems for agricultural finance, sustainable agricultural payment services, and digital safety and security. An artificial intelligence showcase, a farmers’ experience centre and a marketplace exhibition featuring more than 15 exhibitors are also planned.
A decade of digital agriculture work
Prosper Global AgriFin says it has worked with financial institutions, agricultural technology companies, digital platforms and governments across Africa and Asia since 2012 to expand smallholder farmers’ access to digital financial and agricultural services.
The organisation also says it has worked with nearly 200 partners, including financial institutions and technology providers, since 2019.
Its initiatives have included digital financial products and agricultural advisory services designed to support farmers’ productivity, incomes and resilience.
The Nairobi meeting will draw lessons from a decade of programmes and examine how investors, technology providers and development partners can build connected services that respond to farmers’ needs and remain financially viable beyond individual projects.
Source: TUKO.co.ke