Judul : Tech Divide Endangers Africa's Food Future
link : Tech Divide Endangers Africa's Food Future
Tech Divide Endangers Africa's Food Future
Scholars have cautioned that the growing technological divide in farming could worsen Africa's hunger crisis, hindering initiatives to increase output, draw in funding, and enhance the strength of small-scale farmers who are already facing challenges in adjusting to climate changes and increasing expenses.
Adeshola expressed his comment while addressing a panel discussion at the Agriculture Summit Africa 2025, jointly supported by Arzikin Noma and Sterling Bank, where he provided perspectives on how digitalization has aided his company and other stakeholders in the agricultural supply chain to expand.
He stated, "Food can be used as a weapon, and Africa needs to become aware. Technology has emerged as a key factor in agribusiness, especially in simplifying financial processes, increasing output, and enhancing farmers' ability to withstand challenges."
We cannot stress enough the significance of technology in shaping agricultural progress in Africa," he stated. "If the courageous do not take the lead, the timid will follow. What has brought us here will not carry us to where we need to go. Food is the future, and it can be turned into a weapon.
Adeshola shared how Arzikin Noma's early use of digital technologies enabled the company and its group of small-scale farmers to manage one of the most challenging economic challenges during Nigeria's 2023 naira redesign policy.
For us, transporting cash to rural areas was both dangerous and not viable in the long term. We had already begun discussions with our main bank and MasterCard prior to the redesign, and as a result of this collaboration, we distributed more than 1,000 ATM cards to our farmers. Therefore, when the cash shortage occurred, we could compensate them without any issues.
The outcome was extraordinary; in that particular year, we achieved more than 101 percent repayment from our farmers, an occurrence that had never taken place previously. The digital system not only facilitated timely payments but also promoted saving habits.
He stated, 'We found that farmers can truly save money.' 'More than 90% of them kept their earnings in their accounts, and by the next season, they were more financially stable and better equipped.'
In the same context, Okugbo Moses, an agritech entrepreneur, mentioned that the technological gap endangering Africa's food security is frequently misinterpreted.
He stated, “It's not just about the lack of drones, satellites, or advanced technological equipment that usually comes up in discussions about agricultural progress. The true problem is the information gap, especially regarding last-mile information—the knowledge that genuinely reaches the farmers who need it the most. Although agricultural data and insights are available extensively, they often don't make their way to the majority of farmers, particularly those in remote regions, who are impoverished, less educated, and cut off from modern communication methods.”
In Africa, the main issue is providing contemporary agricultural methods and technology to local farmers. Although farmers may know techniques that can significantly boost production, like using drip irrigation instead of flood irrigation or applying certain horticultural practices, they frequently face barriers in accessing information or training needed to apply these methods. This 'last-mile information gap' poses a significant challenge to enhancing food security and output across the continent.
Several current technological approaches do not account for this situation. They presume availability of laptops, internet access, or high literacy levels, which many African farmers lack. A significant exception is the M-Pesa system in Kenya, which utilized basic mobile phone networks to connect with farmers, providing them with loans and crucial information. By creating systems that function at the farmers' level, M-Pesa showed that localized, easy-to-use innovation can enhance agricultural results. By focusing on solutions that align with farmers' circumstances—culturally, economically, and geographically—Africa can utilize innovation to bring about genuine, lasting improvements in food production and resilience.
In the meantime, Adeshola pointed out the company's application of climate-resilient farming techniques and digital guidance systems to assist farmers in making well-informed choices.
Due to rising global temperatures, we need to depend on weather data to offer prompt agricultural guidance. If we anticipate rain tomorrow, we can advise farmers to spread fertilizer today. This is how technology is enhancing productivity and harvests.
Although acknowledging the obstacles related to infrastructure and digital awareness that continue to limit widespread implementation, Adeshola emphasized that Africa needs to move quickly.
The future lies in technology; the sooner we implement and spread it to our rural farming communities, the higher our prospects of attaining genuine food independence.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).Thus the article Tech Divide Endangers Africa's Food Future
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