MANILA, May 10, 2026 — Digital technologies are continuing to transform agriculture across Southeast Asia, offering new opportunities for millions of small-scale farmers who produce the bulk of the region’s food.
For the approximately 100 million smallholder farmers in the region, access to markets, finance, weather information and technical support has long remained limited. However, with more than three in four people now owning a smartphone, digital tools are reshaping how farmers work, connect with buyers and access critical information.
From e-commerce platforms and digital financial services to climate-smart agriculture technologies, digital innovations are helping to make agricultural value chains more efficient, inclusive and resilient. Yet experts warn that unless such technologies are designed with farmers’ realities in mind, many rural communities risk being left behind.
To bridge this gap, the International Fund for Agricultural Development [IFAD], with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea, launched the Smallholder Economic Empowerment through Digital Solutions [SEEDS] project in 2023.
The initiative aims to accelerate economic development among small-scale farming households and rural communities in Cambodia, the Philippines and Viet Nam by expanding access to digital solutions tailored to local needs.
Since its inception, SEEDS has introduced localised innovations that are helping farmers modernise their farms and agri-enterprises while promoting inclusive growth across the region.
By mid-2025, the project had already surpassed expectations. Digital Agriculture Arrowheads — mainly women and young people serving as agents of change — had been deployed across 28 locations in the three target countries. Through Training of Trainers programmes focused on digital technologies, they reached nearly 12,000 participants.
The trainers also worked closely with communities to identify, adapt and promote locally relevant digital solutions while supporting peer learning among farmers.
Fourteen digital applications were introduced under the project to address specific farming challenges. In Cambodia, the Chamka App is helping farmers manage production and improve market access, while GoEden and Mayani in the Philippines are connecting cooperatives directly with institutional buyers and urban consumers, creating new business opportunities.
Digital agriculture is increasingly being seen as a practical solution to long-standing agricultural challenges. Real-time weather updates and pest alerts are helping farmers mitigate climate-related risks, while digital financial services are expanding access to credit and financial inclusion for farmers often excluded from traditional banking systems.
The use of traceability systems is also enabling farmers to access premium markets and secure better prices for their produce.
For millions of small-scale farmers whose livelihoods underpin national food security, digital transformation is no longer viewed as a luxury, but as a necessity.
In April 2026, a symposium organised by the Asia Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia and Grow Asia marked the conclusion of the SEEDS project.
Despite the project’s formal completion, its impact is expected to continue expanding across 12,000 farmers, 12 farmer organisations and three countries. The initiative also contributes to IFAD’s broader vision of positioning Asia and the Pacific as a global leader in inclusive agricultural technology.
Attention is now turning towards scaling up the project’s achievements and extending its reach to benefit thousands more farmers and farmer organisations across the region.
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