• Tanzania introduces e-Kilimo, a digital platform connecting farmers to extension agents via mobile app.

• The platform enables tracking of input sellers and evaluates extension agents to boost service quality.

• Limited internet access in rural areas poses risks to widespread adoption despite the platform’s potential.

Tanzania has taken a new step in its digital journey by rolling out e-Kilimo, a platform aimed at modernizing the agriculture sector. Agriculture contributes 23% to the nation’s GDP and employs almost two-thirds of the workforce.

Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe launched the platform on July 16 at the Mtanana Agricultural Innovation Center, announcing its goal to connect farmers—especially in remote areas—with expert technical support.

The nationwide system, also available as a mobile app, allows farmers to locate extension agents nearby, contact them directly, and get tailored advice. It also registers input suppliers to help authorities track distribution and crack down on counterfeit products.

The e-Kilimo platform will also support annual evaluations of extension officers. Through mandatory performance forms, the system enables authorities to measure service delivery, hold agents accountable, and address underperformance.

This structure is designed to strengthen how agricultural services are deployed—raising productivity, improving planning, and ensuring a more responsive public sector.

Funded by the European Union and co-led by the Tanzanian government and the United Nations, this $3 million program is part of a broader effort to digitize agriculture. It also includes mobile-based market access, targeted digital skills training, and real-time data collection tools.

Connectivity Gap Threatens e-Kilimo Rollout

The digital shift faces a key challenge: limited internet and smartphone access in rural areas. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), just 31.9% of Tanzanians are online, meaning nearly two-thirds remain disconnected.

This digital divide could hinder the adoption of e-Kilimo, especially as more than 75% of the population lives in rural regions where farming is central to livelihoods, the FAO notes.

Like many African nations, Tanzania struggles to deliver timely technical advice to farmers. Officials hope digital tools will close that gap—distributing best practices more efficiently, improving how resources are deployed, and sharpening the focus of interventions. If successful, the model could inspire broader regional adoption.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum