Technical assistance project for the development of digital technologies for agriculture within the framework of BREFONS-Djibouti: Baseline study report

This baseline study was conducted within the framework of the BREFONS-Djibouti project, which aims to strengthen resilience to food and nutrition insecurity through the use of digital technologies in agriculture. The study provides an initial diagnostic of socio-economic conditions, production systems, access to digital tools, and gender dynamics among rural producers in the regions of Ali-Sabieh and Tadjourah. Data were collected from 214 rural households across nine localities using a mixed-methods approach combining structured household surveys and 12 sex-disaggregated focus group discussions.

Results indicate that livelihoods are predominantly based on livestock production (56%), followed by agropastoralism (25%) and agriculture (19%), with a generally low level of formal education (66% of household heads without schooling). Access to digital technologies remains limited and uneven: only 45% of households possess an internet-enabled smartphone, with marked gender and regional disparities disadvantaging women and producers in Tadjourah. While current use of digital advisory services is low, producers express strong interest in digitally delivered agricultural and livestock advice, provided that content is simple, practical, delivered in local languages (Afar and Somali), and disseminated through accessible channels such as short videos, radio, and interactive voice messages. The study highlights a paradoxical situation in which women play a central role in agricultural decision-making but remain significantly excluded from digital access and skills.

The baseline findings underscore the existence of a multidimensional digital divide linked to gender, geography, and livelihood systems. They provide a robust reference framework for monitoring project outcomes and inform strategic recommendations for the design of inclusive, context-appropriate digital extension services aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and food security in Djibouti.