Experts in climate adaptation techniques have proposed the deployment of digital climate-smart solutions, including communication and information systems, to boost agriculture production and marketing on the continent.
They say the continuous reliance on rain-fed agriculture in Africa was not sustainable, hence the need for governments to invest in digital infrastructure to support smallholder farmers to scale up their production amid pressing climate challenges.
They made the proposal in separate interviews at the opening of two-day training on Digital Climate Advisory Services in West Africa in Accra on Thursday, December 8, 2022.
The training was organised by the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), under the framework of the Forum for Agriculture Research Africa (FARA).
It is intended to build the capacities of stakeholders in the region to implement digital climate adaptation solutions for farmers.
Dr Oluyede Ajayi, Programme Lead, Food Security and Rural Wellbeing, Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), said there were existing solutions to address climate change impacts on the activities of farmers but connecting those interventions to farmers had always been a challenge.
He said digital tools such as climate information and advisory services could provide early warning systems to farmers to enable to plan their activities.
Dr Ajayi said there were digital platforms that could also support farmers to get access to markets readily after harvesting to help reduce post-harvest losses.
“These are tools that can give farmers information in real time for them to be able to make informed decision in their farm operation. For example, the tools can inform farmers that in the next three days, it is going to be raining heavily and in that case, the famer would not need to apply so much fertiliser,” he said.
Professor Wole Fantunbi, Senior Technical Cluster Leader and Innovations Systems Specialist, FARA said until the continent embraced digital climate solutions, smallholder farmers in the region would continue to be at the mercy of the weather.
He said farmers in the region were not realising the impact of available digital tools due to the lack of “strong investments” in infrastructure that enhances access and use of digital devices in the agriculture sector.
“One area of agriculture that digitalisation is very useful is remote sensing that helps you to determine exactly what you need to do at the right time. Drones are becoming very useful.
“Efforts need to be geared into developing technologies and the infrastructure that make drones available…If we have a remote-powered small weeder that can work on a farmer’s field, the cost of labour and production would be reduced,” Prof. Fantunbi said.
Ms Eyerusalem Fasika, Country Manager, African Development Bank, said while existing technologies such as improved seeds would be critical to meeting Africa’s food demand, farmers would need additional new tools to improve yields and get their goods to the market.
She said digital climate-smart technologies provide efficiency and support scaling of interventions and could increase productivity by between 40 to 70 per cent.
“…it is important to design multi-stakeholder partnerships between government, academia, and the private sector to support smallholder farmers across entire agriculture value chains,” she said.
Mr John Osei Frimpong, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs, said farmers were experiencing a gap in yields due to their inability to access advanced technologies.
“We must all put the right mechanisms in place to ensure that the investments (in technology) is quickly translated into measurable development outcomes even in their short run,” he said.
With weather patterns becoming less favourable, farmers in the region who largely depend on rain to cultivate their farms are battling with extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and windstorms.
Somalia for instance is experiencing the worst drought in 40 years with 7.8 million people experiencing acute food insecurity. The United Nations has indicated that, between January and June 2022, at least 200 children have already died as a result of malnutrition.
Senior Technical Cluster Leader and Innovation Systems Specialist, FARA
Whenever the proper knowledge is not communicated or ignored, abuse is inevitable. This statement resonates accurately with the state of African soil, which is currently suffering from rapid degradation. Most soil users are under the illusion that Africa has the most significant proportion of arable soil in the world and that these soils are available for agricultural purposes. As true as this may sound, African soils are fragile and must be used carefully to sustain production. Available assessment reports showed that the most considerable portion of African soil is old and inherently low in fertility due to the predominance of low-activity clay minerals. It, therefore, poses a danger that requires good management practice and external investment to keep the soils productive. The African soils also have low organic matter content compared to other locations of the world; the O-horizon is always very shallow in most soils. The implications are the kind of tillage practices that is relevant to keep the soil productive and management practices that are required to optimise the organic matter content of the soil.
Figure 1: suggests that Africa needs to prioritise managing its soil to achieve a win of sustainable agricultural productivity and curtailing the effects of climate change
All users of soils in Africa must be informed of the facts about the structure and function of our soil. All need to know that the carbon chemistry of the soil is vital to the health of the soil and the delivery of agricultural productivity and ecological functions. Soil is the source and sink of the plant nutrient, and its health is contingent on the delivery of its function. The soil carbon chemistry is core to resolving climate change, which is humanity’s most urgent challenge.
The Africa Union Commission is currently Developing the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action plan (AFSH) and the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA), to be launched at the upcoming Africa Fertilizer summit slated for June 2023 in Dakar. The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action plan will provide a 10-year guide on actions to ensure integrated soil fertility maintenance, including the correct use of fertiliser to ensure soil health in Africa. In turn, the soil initiative for Africa will serve as a practical initiative to develop an African system for soil management and implement actions at the continental, sub-regional, and country levels. With this proactive response from all stakeholders, it is becoming clear that Africa will manage its soil sufficiently well.
Niamey, 24th November 2022: The African Union Members States, the Regional Economic Communities, the United Nations (FAO, UNIDO, ECA), and Development Partners converged to discuss the implementation and financing modalities for the establishment of the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs). The event took place on the margins of the ongoing AU Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification, in Niamey, Niger, under the theme: “The Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) as a vehicle for attracting private investments in establishing transboundary mega agro-industrial hubs on the continent”, within the framework of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Programme (CAADP) and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.
In her opening remarks, H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko, the AUC Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), stated that the creation of 5 large agro-industrial zones, one in each region of Africa, will serve as major agricultural development hubs for the continent. The CAAPs was adopted by the Ministers of Agriculture in October 2019 to boost the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Amb. Sacko further reiterated that, “there is no more time to waste for more speeches. It is rather time to stimulate private and public investment in the agro-industries; and unleash the existing strong potential of the African capital market, such as pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and private equity funds of African business personalities.”
Likewise, H.E. Amb. Albert M. Muchanga, the AUC Commissioner, Economic Development, Trade, Industry, and Mining (ETIM) emphasized that a five-year business plan for the Agricultural sector in Africa is imperative as he alluded to the sentiments of H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko that food items should no longer be on the list of importations in Africa.
The strongest slant during the side event was, “no more talk! It is time for action! Africa can no longer rely on its neighbors to build its own granary!” positioned Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, the Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa. Therefore, the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) Programme is a mega-initiative aimed at creating regional agro-industrial hubs implemented by the African Union.
The CAAPs was conceptualized to respond to the continent’s demand for increasing the supply of locally produced agricultural goods, reversing projections on African food imports, value-added processing of agricultural products to boost intra-African trade and investment, tapping on the African food import market approximated at $50 billion per year. The CAAPs also intend to provide over 8 million job opportunities within the crop and livestock value chains. Mr. Mohamed Ali, the Director of Trade in Goods and Competition representing the Secretary General of the AfCFTA confirmed that the CAAPs must become the horse on which the AfCFTA must run.
CAAPS, a 37-million-dollar investment, has already received USD 0.5million USD in seed capital from Afreximbank. On the implementation of the cross-border agro parks in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Zambia, was very optimistic that the common Agro-industrial parks would provide food sustainability for Zambia and the continent. In her affirmation, Hon. Dr. Sekai. I. Nzenza, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Zimbabwe, highlighted that collaboration between Zimbabwe and Zambia is an unforced natural phenomenon, flagging cultural and historical heritages shared by both nations. The new era for Zambia – Zimbabwe collaborations has been restated as the CAAPs. As the former breadbasket of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is looking to include CAAPs in its strategy for agricultural recovery.
It was also discussed that small-holder farmers should be at the center of the CAAPs initiative as commodities’ quality, quantity, and consistency will inform final production. Hon. Mudrik Ramadhan Soroga, minister of Trade, Investment, and Industrialization in Zanzibar, affirmed that the young generation that is high-tech savvy would take the mantle and move the talk to the action! On the other hand, the private sector, represented by Madam Emma Kawawa, CEO of Tanzania Women CEOs roundtable, confirmed that SME banking would go a long way to support growers and other logistical enterprises. Following the reading of Declaration of theAfrican Union Stakeholders on Mobilizing Partnerships for Implementing the CAAPs, H.E. Francois Kanimba, the Commissioner for the Common Market, Economic, Monetary and Financial Affairs of Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), reinforced that partnerships and joint ventures will ensure the success of the CAAPs
NIAMEY, 24 November – “The creation of five large agro-industrial zones, one in each region of Africa, will serve as major agricultural hubs on the continent, and it is time to stimulate private and public investments in the agro-industries,” said African Union’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, Josefa Sacko.
Speaking at a side event held on the margins of the AU Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification in Niamey, Niger, Sacko added that it was also the time to unleash the existing strong potential of the African capital market, such as pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and private equity funds of African business personalities. “Agro-industrial parks have proven to be an effective policy tool to facilitate investment and help governments achieve their development agendas,” said UNIDO’s Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development Director, Dejene Tezera.
The event, themed “The Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) as a vehicle for attracting private investments in establishing transboundary mega agro-industrial hubs on the continent” was co-organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the AUC, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Food and Agriculture Organization, Member States and regional economic communities.
The CAAPs was set-up with the aim of establishing a number of cross-border agro-industrial parks within the regional economic communities. Conceptualized in 2019, the programme is one of the concrete initiatives of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) in support of the African Union Agenda 2063 and the CAADP Malabo commitments, in particular “tripling Intra-African trade for agricultural commodities and services.” The CAAPs also intend to provide over 8 million job opportunities within the crop and livestock value chains. The transboundary dimension of the CAAPs presents vast potential for developing cross-border market linkages to connect all agro-parks initiatives to respond to Africa’s food gap, presently filled by imports.
FARA’s Executive Director, Yemi Akinbamijo remarked that it was time for action and that “Africa can no longer rely on its neighbours to build its own granary”. Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Sekai. I. Nzenza expressed their optimism for the Common Agro-Industrial Park initiative, the first joint-programme to be piloted under the CAAP. Both Ministers remarked that the initiative will strengthen intra-African trade, food security and food exports.
The event brought together 100 participants and stakeholders from various fields. Francois Kanimba, the Commissioner of the Economic Community of Central African States responsible for Common Market, Economic, Monetary and Financial Affairs stressed the critical role that CAAP will play in promoting agricultural value chains at the regional and continent levels. A publication, “Guidelines for Planning, Development and Management of Integrated Agro-Food Parks (IAFPs)” was also released. The guidelines provide recommendations on how IAFPs can be adapted to local conditions and dynamics. They were developed based on best practices compiled from UNIDO’s pilot projects benchmarked against prevailing international standards.
In accordance with the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution passed in 2016, UNIDO is tasked with leading the implementation of the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa in cooperation with the African Union and other partners.
For more information please visit: https://www.unido.org/AIW2022
Followingconsultations*earlier this year, the “Abidjan II” communiqué posits that Africa must urgently transform its food, land, and water systems to ensure food and nutrition security despite multiple threats, including from climate change, conflict, and pandemic. The four signatories will work together to build Africa’s resilience to future shocks by bolstering agricultural research and innovation systems at the national, sub-regional, and continental levels and by equipping farmers with the science and technologies they need to thrive. They will also align institutional structures, funding, strategy, and capacity.
Welcoming the agreement, African Development Bank President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said, “I am fully confident that we should be able to reach zero hunger in Africa. To do so, we must accelerate action, take technologies to the scale of millions of farmers, and drive the agenda towards zero hunger — that’s the key. The role of CGIAR becomes even more important in that drive because of the technologies, the need to support research and development, and the need for more climate resilient agricultural systems.”
H.E Ambassador Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture Rural Development Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission, welcomed the initiative, stating that “This agreement will heighten agriculture research and knowledge, help us to identify gaps, analyze them, and find solutions to build resilient food systems on the continent, while responding to the needs and commitments, made by our heads of states and governments in the Malabo declaration, to transform agriculture and improve the livelihoods of our people”.
According to FARA’s Executive Director,Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo,Africa urgently needs a pathway that meets major threats to food, land and water systems with science, technology and innovation.
“This agreement brings us all on the same page and presents us the best opportunity to equip farmers with appropriate technologies and policy instruments to meet these challenges, known and unknown, head on,” Akinbamijo said.
CGIAR Executive Managing Director,Dr.Claudia Sadoffsaid alignment with the organization’s partners in Africa allowed CGIAR to “move ahead with reforms aimed at equipping farmers in Africa and beyond with the science and innovations they need, and at boosting investment that supports resilient food, land, and water systems.”
The agreement recognizes African governments and partners’ historical and continuing support for Africa-based CGIAR Research Centers. It also affirms support for ongoing reforms they are undertaking to better align with the needs of African farmers and food systems.
The partner organizations are developing an action plan to be released this year. It will see these commitments transformed into action that will benefit farmers across the continent.
*Participating organizations included the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDANEPAD), and sub-regional research organizations, CORAF, ASARECA, CCARDESA, NAASRO, the Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), FAO and AKADEMIYA2063.
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About the African Development Bank
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund. On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states.
Media contact: Alphonso Van Marsh, Principal Digital Content and Events Officer, African Development Bank, email: [email protected]
About the African Union Commission (AUC)
The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states form the African Continent. The AU is guided by its vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa”, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena. To achieve this vision, the Agenda 2063 was developed as a strategic framework for Africa’s long term socio-economic and integrative transformation to ensure the realization of its objectives and the attainment of the Pan African Vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa. It identifies keyFlagship Programmeswhich boosts Africa’s economic growth and development and lead to the rapid transformation of the continent and the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), is one such continental initiative that aims to help African countries eliminate hunger and reduce poverty by raising economic growth through agriculture-led development. This partnership will advance one of CAADP’s key priority areas on Improving agriculture research, technology dissemination and adoption.
CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis. Its research is carried out by 13 CGIAR Centers/Alliances in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector. www.cgiar.org. We would like to thank all Funders who support this research through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund.
About the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
FARAis the continental apex organization for agricultural research and innovation in Africa. With its Secretariat based in Accra, Ghana, FARA serves as a platform for stakeholders in the continent’s agriculture research and innovation space to mobilize collective actions including the articulation of common positions. FARA is mandated by the African Union Commission and the AUDA-NEPAD to coordinate the formulation and operationalization of continental research and innovation policies, initiatives and programs designed to achieve the continent’s food and agriculture development targets. FARA performs these functions in collaboration with sub-regional agricultural research and innovation organizations namely:ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF and NAASRO, as well asAFAAS.
