Since 2023, building on the success of AgriCoach, we have been implementing the FishCoach project with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Burundi.

FishCoach was developed with an objective: to provide fish farmers with a practical, accessible, and easy-to-use digital tool that helps them apply good aquaculture practices and improve productivity.

The application is structured around 4 key modules. The Guide, which uses simple videos to show users how to navigate the application independently and ensures the tool can reach many people, including those in remote rural areas, without requiring continuous trainer support.

The Education module with video-based learning content covering the full fish farming cycle, from awareness and pond preparation to production management and harvesting. All steps were filmed with real people in real conditions, so even users who cannot read or write can easily understand and apply the practices.

The third module is Planning. After watching the relevant videos, a household, group, or cooperative can enter the details of its fish farming project into the system. The application then automatically generates a simplified digital business plan, indicating whether the project is viable. This plan can also be shared with financial institutions to support access to finance.

The fourth module is Market, which allows fish farmers to order the inputs they need while creating opportunities to sell their fish. The platform provides buyers with advance information and enables orders based on expected production.

Throughout the process, we adapted FishCoach to the realities of rural Burundi. This means designing a tool that can function in areas with limited internet connectivity, limited electricity, and among users who may not have had the opportunity to attend school.

We also learned that field realities do not always match technical manuals. After the first production cycle, we realized that some recommended techniques were not fully adapted to the local context. A second cycle was therefore necessary, allowing us to test, adjust, and develop content that is practical and relevant for rural households.

Today, the result is inspiring. FishCoach is now a functional tool that helps households produce fish more independently, without relying constantly on external support. Challenges remain, especially access to quality feed and reliable markets. However, we are proud to have developed a solution that contributes not only to improved incomes and living conditions, but also to better nutrition, especially in areas far from lakes where access to fish is very limited.

FishCoach shows how digital innovation, when designed from field realities, can support rural communities, strengthen food security, and create lasting impact.