On March 3, 2026, the African Agricultural Leadership Institute (AALI), in collaboration with the Territorial Inspection of Agriculture of Idiofa, organized a multi-stakeholder workshop in Kwilu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This meeting marked an important step toward the development of a digital early warning and food risk management system to address food and nutrition insecurity in the region.
The initiative is part of the EmergenSys project, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Its objective is to better understand the current level of digitalization of early warning systems and the seed system in the Idiofa territory to identify practical ways to improve their effectiveness and coordination.
Prior to the workshop, twenty enumerators and members of local communities received training in digital tools to support reliable and inclusive data collection. This step helps ensure a stronger understanding of the agricultural and food security realities on the ground.
The assessment uses a mixed-method approach that includes quantitative surveys with 200 to 300 farming households, interviews with key agricultural stakeholders, and community focus group discussions. It will examine existing early warning mechanisms, digital platforms used for data management, and institutional coordination processes. Challenges related to connectivity, digital equipment, and local infrastructure will also be assessed.
The goal is to map existing systems, identify gaps in the use of digital technologies, and develop recommendations tailored to the context of Kwilu. Attention is given to the participation of women, youth, and local agricultural actors.
Through this initiative, AALI and its partners aim to promote more effective, transparent, and sustainable digital early warning systems capable of anticipating food crises and strengthening the resilience of rural communities facing agricultural and climate challenges.