Skip to main content

Can digital technologies attract African youth to agriculture?

Young people are now venturing into farming thanks to technology. Photo: Africa Feeds Media

Africa is a net importer of food with current figures at 30 billion Euros per annum and the figure could triple by 2025 if drastic measures are not taken according to a report by CTA & Dalberg Advisors. Despite overwhelming evidence showing that Africa’s prosperity and economic growth lies in agriculture, most governments are struggling to honour their Malabo Declaration commitment of allocating at least 10% of their total budgets to the sector. But the situation could change with the introduction and upscaling of data and digital technologies in the agrifood value chains. The evolution of Agricultural Internet of Things (AIoT), block chain technology, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), use of drones among others could transform the sector by increasing productivity and creating jobs.

According to UN data, 65% of African population is comprised of the youth, yet the average age of a farmer in the continent is 60 years. This is an indicator of how African youth perceive agriculture. Besides arable land, this is the most important resource that the region can tap to feed itself. Digitalization of agriculture could attract this tech savvy generation to the sector, creating job opportunities along the entire value chain from production, advisory and financial services, processing, marketing and distribution. With most African countries grappling with youth unemployment rates of up to 70%, this would be a major relief by creating decent jobs.

Globally, there’s a shift from conventional production to sustainable production. This means that as the world grapples on how to feed over 9 billion people by 2030, it must do so in a way that will not jeopardize future generations to do the same. Digitalization promotes precision agriculture as IBM refers it whereby through the use of drones and soil sensors, farmers can capture real time data on insights such as soil, moisture levels and crops’ general health for them to make timely decisions. This improves on resource allocation and reduces costs through the evolution of digitally-enabled climate smart solutions.

However, despite the promise of agricultural transformation through technology, this is not a substitute for physical infrastructure (roads, markets and electricity) and human infrastructure in areas such as extension services. These are still needed to transform agriculture and therefore parallel investment is necessary to ensure balanced agricultural transformation.

Valentine Klutse standing by a drone at a farm in Eastern Ghana. Photo: Africa Feeds Media

There’s also need to localize technological innovations in agriculture and tailor them to the targeted groups and countries. For instance, over 80% of small holders in Zambia have access to a mobile phone and accept mobile payments. This might not be the case in other African countries. It’s also important to note that technology does not replace talent and therefore continuous investment in quality education of the players along the value chain is still necessary.

Local governments must also create an enabling environment for these innovations to take root through appropriate policies. This will ensure innovations work for smallholders who constitute 70% of rural farmers and produce 80% of the food. Without the right policies, it will be difficult to reap the benefits of agricultural digitalization.

In conclusion, digitalization could help smallholders to bypass a number of challenges such as financial access, timely decision making and resource conservation while attracting youth to agriculture but the technologies should complement human and physical infrastructure to ensure balanced growth and sustainability.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How to kill rats in your poultry house - using a mixture of baking soda, flour and sugar

Rats are dangerous animals in the poultry house and they cause problems both direct and indirect. Direct - they eat chicks or kill chicks rapidly. Indirect - they carry many diseases that affect chicks. Therefore, their presence in the poultry house is a big risk. However, it is a bit hard to control rats in the poultry house because most of the chemicals that kill rats are harmful to our birds. Nevertheless, today we shall break the secret on how to kill rats using safe methods. Remember I am an organic poultry farmer and I promote organic methods all the time. So now, let us see how to solve this rat issue. Organic method of getting rid of rats on farms and at home: Mix baking soda + flour + sugar at equal ratios 1:1:1. Mix thoroughly dry. Put them in small containers and place them at the corners of your poultry house. They will eat it and never return to disturb you again. If you have a small bowl of that size, you can also use it. Rats love flour and so will golf it. Secondly, t...

Investing in Cassava: Learn from the Success of Yemisi Iranloye

Investing in cassava can be a lucrative opportunity for investors looking to diversify their portfolios. With the rise in demand for cassava products and the success of entrepreneurs like Yemisi Iranloye, there are valuable lessons to be learned. In this article, we will explore the potential of cassava as an investment, Yemisi Iranloye's success story, and key considerations for investing in cassava farming. We will also discuss strategies for maximizing returns in cassava investment. Read on to discover the key takeaways from this article. Key Takeaways Cassava farming presents a profitable investment opportunity due to the increasing demand for cassava products. Yemisi Iranloye's success in cassava investment can be attributed to her background, strategic planning, and perseverance. Investors should assess the market potential for cassava products and consider the risks and challenges associated with cassava farming. Developing ...

How To Grow Rice: A Comprehensive Guide

Explore the world of rice cultivation with our in-depth guide that covers everything from selecting the right variety of rice seeds to the intricacies of planting, nurturing, and harvesting a bountiful rice crop. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a novice enthusiast, this comprehensive resource provides valuable insights, practical tips, and expert advice to help you optimize your rice yield. Uncover the secrets of soil preparation, water management, pest control, and sustainable farming practices that contribute to a successful rice harvest. Key Takeaways Choosing the appropriate rice variety involves understanding different rice types, considering climate and soil requirements, and ensuring seed quality and availability. Field preparation is crucial and includes soil preparation techniques, effective water management strategies, and the importance of proper drainage. Planting and nurturing require knowledge of rice transplanting methods, nutrient management, and specific wateri...