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El Salvador is moving toward an agricultural technical assistance model that combines in-person support with digital tools. Within this framework, the Government, through the Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) and the Centro Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria y Forestal “Enrique Álvarez Córdova” (CENTA), launched AgroConecta in partnership with the European Union, the Unión Europea, la Unión Internacional de Telecomunicaciones (ITU) and the FAO. AgroConecta is a new hybrid extension model aimed at farming families, and anyone interested in strengthening their agricultural knowledge.
AgroConecta seeks to strengthen the national agricultural extension system by incorporating digital tools into the technical assistance provided by CENTA agencies across the country. The model will complement the field visits, training sessions, and demonstrations conducted by extension agents with communication channels that facilitate contact with producers.
The tools incorporated include WhatsApp, phone calls, text messages, audiovisual materials, and a digital app. Through these resources, producers can receive information, knowledge, and technical guidance, while extension agencies can maintain closer, continuous communication with farming families.
The model also includes virtual services such as telephone support, messaging, and WhatsApp groups, alongside audiovisual materials and the digital app. These mechanisms aim to facilitate timely responses to producers’ needs and strengthen ties with local extension agencies, without replacing the direct support provided by technical teams.
AgroConecta is designed for agricultural producers nationwide, with a focus on inclusivity that encompasses rural women, rural youth, indigenous peoples and communities, and commercial enterprises in the sector. It also caters to agricultural organizations, educational institutions, and individuals interested in learning about and strengthening their knowledge of sustainable agricultural production.
This initiative is part of the project “Strengthening the capacities of CENTA and ENA for agricultural research, extension, and digital education” (MERIAN), implemented by the FAO in collaboration with MAG, ITU, and CENTA, with financial support from the European Union. The project promotes the use of digital technologies to facilitate rural populations’ access to knowledge, services, and information.
The new model leverages CENTA’s more than 80 years of experience and combines it with information and communication technologies to strengthen knowledge transfer, technology adoption, and the productivity of agrifood systems. This transformation is framed within a vision of moving toward “Agriculture 5.0”, where the experience of producers and technicians is complemented by technological tools.
AgroConecta will operate through CENTA’s national network of 40 extension agencies, aiming to expand the reach of training and technical support services for producers, community extension workers, and rural organizations. Connectivity will enable more constant communication and broaden access to information, while in-person work will remain a fundamental part of technical assistance.
During the launch, the participating institutions highlighted that AgroConecta represents a joint effort to drive the digital transformation of the agricultural sector, strengthen the resilience of rural livelihoods, and promote more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems. The initiative seeks to put technology at the service of those who produce the country’s food, facilitating access to knowledge and solutions for their productive activities.
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