Using EduTech in Kenya
Using EduTech to enhance young farmers’ knowledge and skills in Kenya
The Project
This research project addresses the stagnating agricultural productivity in rural Kenya, where climate change and limited access to digital tools pose significant challenges.
Despite mobile phone ownership being widespread, digital tool adoption remains low in rural areas. Around 60% of Kenyans lack access to formal digital learning systems, which can hamper innovation, for example in the development of sustainable farming practices. The latter is of concern as the agricultural sector contributes approximately one third to Kenya’s GDP.
The goal of this research is threefold:
- Facilitate access to digital tools for young people in rural areas, enabling them to engage with agricultural technologies.
- Enhance knowledge of sustainable farming practices and agribusiness opportunities to foster entrepreneurship and resilience.
- Explore effective methods for phone-based distance learning, overcoming barriers to digital inclusion.
Targeting young adults (18-35 years old) in rural Kenya who aspire to enter the agricultural labor market or improve their agribusiness skills, the project will provide a mobile-based digital platform offering interactive, chatbot-style education. This platform will allow users to engage with content at their own pace, receive step-by-step guidance, and build confidence in using digital technologies.
Our Partners
Rural Outreach Africa supports smallholder farmers in Kenya by promoting sustainable agriculture, innovative methods, and partnerships to combat food insecurity, poverty, and improve income, health, and education in rural communities.
Arifu is a Kenyan edtech company founded in 2015, providing a content marketplace that connects subject matter experts with organizations to deliver licensable courses.
The Project Team
PI: Prof. Dr. Lisa Spantig
Co-Investigators: Dr. Andrej Woerner, Charlotte Cordes
Funding
The Project is financed by the Diligentia Foundation and the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund. For more information about the fund visit https://cpva.lt/en/.
Initial in-person meeting of Prof. Spantig and part of the team at Rural Outreach Africa
