Denis Opudo
Digitalization of agricultural sector in Africa has attracted many corporations which provide, credit facilities, digital insurance, and funding. The technology enables small-scale farmers to improve yields, profitability, and market efficiencies. Africa needs to adopt the idea to help in the revolution of the agricultural sector in future. Practical agricultural technology platforms in Africa comprise of Zenvus, M-Fam, Ujuzikilimo, Sokopepe, Farmerline, AgroCenta and Farmdrive initiatives. It is worthwhile to note that science and technology advancement has largely improved the face of agricultural sector globally. Introduction of digital tools, computing system, sophisticated software, cloud computing among others has greatly mimic farming technology obstacles in Africa.
According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) report, the main economic activity for the rural population in Africa is agriculture. Nearly 70 percent of the continent foods are produced by eighty percent smallholder farmers. Digital technology has helped in data, security, improved productivity and farm planning. The report added that the agricultural sector provides job opportunities to about sixty-five percent of the rural African population. Almost 50 million people in Africa support their households using agri-business related activities. In the entire continent, only ten percent of people derived their income from formal sectors.FAO also shows that the world population is projected to hit 9.1 billion come 2050. In order to provide enough food for this population, there is great need to scale global food production probably by seventy percent. Africa alone will be home to 2.1 billion people thus requires radical agricultural transformation to reduce hunger problems.
Professional agri-business entrepreneurs nowadays concentrate on the farmer’s operations and strategies to increase food basket. Some ed-tech startups have launched initiatives to handle the challenge of food insecurity and low production. They normally use market research with help of huge data and analytical techniques to come up with innovative ideas.
