Small scale farmers urged to embrace ICT to transform farming

Small scale farmers have been urged to embrace ICT to access crucial information on effects of climate change, pests and diseases on crops and animals.

Yielder International Chief Executive Officer Alexander Valenton said ICT platforms have the capacity to enable farmers access information on product pricing and local markets, source for inputs and weather conditions.

Speaking during the Second edition of Digital Farmers Conference and Exhibition held at Egerton University’s Agriculture Resource Center, Valenton observed that access of information will improve crop production and animal husbandry and greatly determine viability of agricultural practices and food security in the country.

The conference themed ‘Creating the Future Together’ and organized by Center for Strengthening Capacities for Agricultural Education, Research & Adoption in Kenya (SCARA) comes at a time when the agricultural sector in Africa is experiencing a transformation driven by the increased adoption of technology on different frontiers

Valenton says farmers need to embrace ICTs as it can help them improve local economies and the quality of life by making informed decisions.

He observes that Agriculture students right from Secondary to University level need to be equipped with skills that pre-empt environmental impact due to climate change and come up with innovative mobile applications that will link farmers to markets and proper agronomic practices.

The conference is sponsored by University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences-Vienna, Austria and Australian Development Agency (ADA) under the auspices of Austrian Partnership Programme in Higher Education and Research for Development (APPEAR) in collaboration with Egerton University.

Valenton states that most Countries in the world are shifting focus to approaches of integrating ICT in teaching and learning of Agriculture as a policy to attain food and nutrition security and reduce rural poverty through research and innovation.

Valenton told participants that ICT and e-learning will play a major role in the development and economic growth of Sub Sahara Africa in the future where the agricultural sector is the backbone.

Experts that spoke at the symposium said the emerging concept of e-agriculture has the potential to revolutionize the agricultural sector due to its affordability, accessibility, and adaptability.

This common ground being that technology empowers different stakeholders involved in the value chain to perform tasks quickly, efficiently, and with greater ease and accuracy.