Ngäbe Youth Lead Digital Shift in Panama’s Rural Highlands

In the western highlands of Panama, nestled in the mountainous Ngäbe Buglé region, the tropical climate is a relentless force, shifting abruptly from sunny skies to torrential rains within a single day, catching the unaccustomed off guard. Here, the Ndgäbe Buglé Indigenous Peoples, commonly known as the Ngäbes, live among rugged hills, far removed from bustling urban centres. Their daily lives involve traversing long distances on foot or horseback along dirt paths that are often difficult to navigate and frequently rendered impassable by heavy rainfall. This intimate connection with their natural surroundings has allowed the Ngäbes to preserve their rich traditions and foster a strong sense of community.

However, their remoteness also brings significant challenges, including high levels of poverty and limited access to basic services, particularly when rain-soaked roads isolate them further. In this region, where subsistence agriculture and livestock dominate, inadequate infrastructure often undermines family farmers and young people seeking economic and personal opportunities. Digital connectivity, already hampered by weak internet signals insufficient for basic computer use, becomes even more unreliable when storms disrupt service.

A beacon of hope emerged through a collaborative initiative between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and China, under the South-South Cooperation programme. In partnership with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), they launched the “Digital Transformation and Innovation in Agriculture” project, aimed at revitalising rural livelihoods and supporting small and medium-sized producers across Panama and 11 other countries in the region.

In the Ngäbe Buglé region, the project engaged four producer organisations. To support its design and implementation, two experts from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs—one specialising in digital agriculture and the other in rural digitalisation—visited the area. They shared their expertise, providing training to FAO staff, government technicians, and community members to enhance digital literacy.

Among those who embraced this opportunity were Juan Cedeño, 20, and Milka Rodríguez, 23, two Ngäbe youths who balance agricultural work with their studies in Bilingual Intercultural Education at the Autonomous University of Indigenous Peoples (UAPI) in Llano Tugrí. Their weekly journeys to the university are arduous: Juan’s trip takes between an hour and a half to two hours, with part of the journey on foot, while the return trip, entirely on foot, can take up to four hours. Milka, travelling between Cerro Tula and Cerro Gavilán, faces similar challenges. Their involvement in the project was sparked by their parents, who are leaders in two of the producer organisations. The training, facilitated by the Nuestra Señora del Camino Foundation in collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Innovation of Panama (IDIAP), ignited their enthusiasm.

“The opportunity came with FAO, and my dad got me involved because technology is already advancing and we have to learn more,” Milka recalled. Juan shared a similar sentiment: “I became interested in this association thanks to my mother, as she was already involved before … From a very young age, I have liked to participate in something that positively impacts the community.”

Over five weeks, Juan and Milka rearranged their schedules and responsibilities to attend classes, building on their existing knowledge and acquiring new skills in using the internet, social networks, work software, tablets, and laptops. Their commitment and aptitude stood out, as they assisted classmates and supported the facilitator. Arquimedes Pérez, FAO’s Information Technology Officer in the Panama subregional office, recognised their natural leadership and talent. He enlisted them to help install antennas and technological equipment provided to the associations.

For months, they worked alongside him, learning to configure tablets and laptops, troubleshoot common technical issues, and maintain solar panels installed to power the four community associations. “Youth is the renewal of communities,” Pérez remarked. “The objective of involving young people from each community is so that they can provide front-line support to their associations,” he explained.

Their involvement has yielded tangible results. Juan and Milka have streamlined their agricultural work and explored new sales channels for their organisations’ products. They created social media accounts to promote and sell handicrafts, grains, and legumes to buyers both within and outside their community. Milka, for instance, has successfully sold products to a broader market. They now access online information on agricultural techniques, weather forecasts, and market trends, which are crucial for making informed decisions about harvests and business.

Beyond their personal achievements, Juan and Milka are sharing their newfound expertise with other young people in their community, teaching them how to use technological devices effectively and address basic technical problems. These digital tools are paving the way for greater access to information and opportunities, particularly for the youth of Ngäbe Buglé, promising a more connected and empowered future for the entire community. 

Source: The FAO News And Media Office, Rome

– global bihari bureau