- August 13, 2021
- Posted by: adminer
- Category: Agriculture
While there are a wide range of agritech innovations that could propel African farmers to profitability, only 23% of youth engaged in agriculture are using any form of agricultural technology.
Eleven country survey reported and hinted that a lack of financing and training as the main challenge to agriculture technology.
The survey report is entitled, “The Future of Africa’s Agriculture: An Assessment of the Role of Youth and Technology’’ was released on International Youth Day, includes responses from almost 30,000 young Africans and follow-ups with hundreds of farmers and farm organizations.
It points to the need for new investments to stimulate access to innovations that could encourage African youth now turning away from agriculture to reconsider opportunities in the sector-especially given the need to generate jobs and repair food systems battered by the pandemic.
“As a continent with a thriving young population, Africa’s agricultural sector must provide the investments in agritech innovations that will encourage youth to embrace agriculture-related endeavors, because they are the key to revitalizing Africa’s food system,” said Adesuwa Ifedi, senior vice president for Africa Programs at Heifer International.
“But as this report reveals, Africa is not providing the financing or training to ensure its young people have easy access to the same agritech tools-like drone technologies, precision soil sensors and digital farmer services that are transforming food production around the world.”
The report surveyed 29,900 youths, 299 smallholder farmers and 110 agriculture technology startups, innovation hubs and technology organizations in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It identifies challenges faced by smallholder farming communities and potential areas for innovation and growth.