Closing the Digital Adoption Gap | Episode 3: Last-Mile Delivery and Inclusive Adoption
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Throughout May 2026, the Grow Asia Digital Learning Series (DLS) ran a three-part fireside chat series, Closing the Adoption Gap: Leadership Perspectives on Scaling Digital Agriculture in ASEAN. Hosted by Erika Balzarelli of The Sustainable Smallholder, lead author of Grow Asia's report Accelerating Smallholder Adoption at Scale in ASEAN: Strategic Pathways, the series brought together leaders from telecommunications, agri-fintech, and development finance to explore a central question: if the technology exists, what is preventing digital agriculture from reaching scale?
The DLS is part of the regional GrowVentures Impact Fund, supported by IFAD and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea. Across all three episodes, a consistent message emerged: scaling digital agriculture is not primarily a technology challenge. Success depends on the systems, partnerships, incentives, and people that enable solutions to reach farmers and create lasting value.
Episode 3: Partnerships, Investment and Regional Coordination
The final episode featured Abdelkarim Sma, Lead Regional Economist at IFAD's Asia and Pacific Division, who provides strategic and analytical support for agricultural investments across more than 20 countries.
Karim highlighted the importance of strengthening both digital infrastructure and the institutional systems that support it. While robust DPI provides the foundation, adoption ultimately depends on trusted local actors and effective coordination across stakeholders.
Drawing on lessons from Grow Asia's SEEDS project, he highlighted the concept of "digital arrowheads" – local service providers and community champions who are already embedded within farming communities. By building their capacity and supporting them with training and certification, digital solutions can be delivered through trusted networks that farmers already rely on.
This approach reflects a broader principle that resonated throughout the series: solutions are more likely to succeed when they are developed with farmers, rather than for farmers.
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