Africa’s agriculture sector still faces challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions that have affected the continent’s production output. However, experts say technology and innovation hold potential to transform the sector.

They were deliberating at the ongoing Science and Partnerships for Agriculture Conference (SPAC) 2024 in Kigali, a biennial conference that was organised by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.

Africa holds 65 per cent of the world’s arable land and 10 per cent of its internal renewable fresh water sources enough to feed the continent’s over a billion population, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Yet, Olivier Kamana, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, said that the majority of African economies exhibit a persistent yield gap, low technology adoption, limited agricultural manufacturing and value addition, inadequate infrastructure to trade within and beyond Africa, as well as effects from geopolitical impediments.

"The science-based innovations and technologies are vital to increase agriculture productivity,” he told participants who were gathering in Kigali to discuss the role of science and innovation.

Kamana highlighted Rwanda’s case, saying the country has embraced livestock innovations indicating that high value and protein rich fodder species were introduced, and insect rearing was promoted for use in feed supplements for fish, chicken, and swine.

The official observed that digitalisation of agriculture in particular should be a wat forward for the continent.

"Digital extension and building digital literacy for the use of IT tools are seen as the closest innovations for expansion of community outreach. For instance, farmers access subsidised seeds and fertilizers through a Digital Platform (Smart Nkunganire System) that serve more than a million farmers across the country each Season, and the use of drones for quick delivery of vaccines and semen in remote areas,” he said.

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Embrace innovation

Across the continent, farmers are already applying digital technologies to learn new skills, receive and deliver services, and connect themselves across widely dispersed geographic areas.

There is great hope that this can drive Africa’s agricultural transformation and do so at a lower cost and sooner.

In Rwanda, for instance, farmers are utilising smart irrigation systems and drones to cultivate large lands in more efficient ways. As a result, Rwanda is on course to transform its agriculture sector from low-yielding subsistence to highly productive commercial agriculture.

Theresa Tenneh Dick, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Sierra Leone, emphasised the role of private sector to drive the adoption of technology and innovation.

"Our goal is to create an ecosystem in which the private sector thrives and contributes to driving innovation and growth, allowing us to harness best practices, access cutting-edge technologies, and strengthen our farms and institutions,” she noted.

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As Africa’s population is expected to increase, so is its demand for food. Between 2010 and 2030, the total worth of its food industry is projected to hit the $1 trillion mark.

Innovative ways that will improve things such as seeds and fertilisers are seen as critical towards meeting this demand. Africa’s farmers will also need additional new tools to improve yields and get their goods to market.

"We can no longer view agriculture as an isolated area. The industry requires inclusivity of all types of individuals. More lately, we have seen Generation Z establish their position in national affairs, and all of these issues are interlinked,” said Aggrey Agumya, the Executive Director of FARA.

Agumya also recognised the need for strengthening partnerships between African countries to tackle both the challenges and opportunities presented and how platforms like SPAC attempt to respond to all the contemporary issues.

Linus Opara Umezuruike, Distinguished Professor at South African-based Stellenbosch University, shared similar insights, saying that science and technology can revolutionise African agriculture and the food system.

He also emphasised the need to establish platforms where best practices can be shared, technical information can be exchanged, and some of the practices can be implemented to improve food security on the continent.