The Digital Farming School (DFS) announced on September 7, 2026, the official opening of applications for its inaugural class of 50 students, with classes scheduled to begin in November 2026 on the campus of the Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Yamoussoukro, according to program announcements. Developed through a partnership between the Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique (UM6P) and the Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB), with support from OCP Africa, the initiative aims to train specialists capable of deploying digital tools adapted to African agriculture.
Curriculum and Full Financial Support for Students
Accepted students admitted to the two-year program will receive complete coverage of their study fees, according to project disclosures. The curriculum leads to a specialized developer certificate in Agritech. Beyond basic IT training, the school intends to prepare technicians who understand the actual needs of agricultural producers and farm businesses, enabling them to design and deploy field-ready tools. The areas of study cover connected sensors, agricultural drones, crop monitoring platforms, decision-support tools, automation, and data analysis.
Selection Process and Practical Pedagogy
The program targets young adults aged 18 to 35 who hold at least a Bac+2 diploma, according to admissions guidelines. The admissions process includes online and in-person evaluations, followed by a three-week intensive assessment phase held at the school called “Self Assessment Skills” (SAS), which evaluates candidate aptitudes and commitment levels. The educational model relies on three core principles: learning by doing, learning directly applied to agriculture, and peer collaboration. Students will utilize technological laboratories, digital platforms, an experimental farm, a fablab, and an incubator while collaborating with producers, researchers, and enterprises.
According to Dr. Louis Koko, director general of the DFS, the goal is to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world conditions. Dr. Koko stated in the launch announcement that the school wants students to experiment with and deploy new technologies facing actual agricultural challenges, turning the agricultural farm itself into an active space for learning, innovation, and solution creation.
Continental Ambitions and Strategic Context
The establishment of the Digital Farming School follows the laying of its foundation stone in Yamoussoukro in June 2023, under the partnership uniting UM6P, OCP Africa, and the INP-HB. The initiative is also featured in the Groupe OCP 2023 annual report as an immersive training program combining agronomy, digital systems, and electronics.
Did You Know? The foundational stone for the Digital Farming School was initially laid in Yamoussoukro in June 2023 during a collaborative ceremony involving the Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique, OCP Africa, and the Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the first academic year start at the Digital Farming School?
Classes for the first promotion of 50 students are scheduled to begin in November 2026 in Yamoussoukro.
Who is eligible to apply for the DFS program?
Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old and hold a diploma of at least Bac+2 level.
What financial support do admitted students receive?
Students accepted into the two-year program receive a complete waiver covering all of their study fees.
How will local agricultural cooperatives and technology developers collaborate with the new Yamoussoukro campus as the first cohort begins its training?
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