Digitalization: The Driving Force in the Future of Agriculture?

Although there is a rapid proliferation of digital tools in the agri-food sector, their great potential for climate-smart farming has not been fully realized yet. At the ICTforAg conference in March 2022, voices from the international digital agriculture community exchanged on the challenges and opportunities associated with the next green revolution.

Mathew Abass (Tamanaa Rice Processing Factory) in a rice field near Nasia (Ghana). The factory’s operations are in the process of being digitized through the use of the PaddyBase app developed by the Lagos start-up Crop2Cash. © GIZ/Nyani Quarmyne 2022

By Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

GIZ is a globally active provider of international cooperation for sustainable development. It has more than 50 years of experience in a wide range of fields.

All contributions

The i4Ag fund is currently looking for innovative projects across the agri-food sector. To find out more about funding opportunities, click here.

 

Today, more than half the world’s population is connected to the internet. Over 90 percent of them use mobile phones to connect digitally. Over the last decade, the widespread availability of mobile phones and access to mobile internet has been a game-changer in digital inclusion. Digital technologies are increasingly used across every sector of the economy, including health, finance, education, infrastructure, e-commerce, and retail.

 

Digital Agriculture Needs to Address Adaptation Barriers to Have an Effect

The agricultural sector, too, has witnessed a rise in the adoption of digital technologies across various activities. Some of the use cases where technology is being successfully applied in agriculture include drones and GPS mapping. These can provide customised advisories on the use of fertilizers and pesticides; remote sensors to verify crop insurance claims; digital platforms to provide direct market linkages between farmers and consumers; and digital financial services for farmers. These solutions have the potential to address some of the most pressing issues faced by the sector, such as low productivity and yields, climate-change-related vulnerabilities, lack of access to credit, and weak market linkages.

 

Despite these technological developments in the agricultural sector, the adaptation of digital solutions continues to remain low amongst vulnerable and marginalized populations in low- and middle income countries (LMICs). According to a recent GSMA (‘Global System for Mobile Applications’) report based on current trends, 40 percent of the population in LMICs will still be offline by 2025. Despite a larger number of people being aware of mobile internet, digital literacy is perceived to be the strongest barrier to adopt digital technologies, especially for women and youth. Max Cuvellier’s (Head of Mobile for Development at GSMA) keynote speech illustrated the remaining challenges regarding access to mobile phones, despite considerable advances having been made over recent years.

 

Ich bin ein Alternativtext
The annual conference aims at bringing together a global audience of experts and agtech-enthusiasts. © Intellecap 2022

Where the Conference’s Discussions Led Us

During the two-day virtual conference from March 9th to 10th 2022, over 3700 registered participants from over 102 countries discussed not only the challenges the digital agriculture community faces, but also showcased inspiring solutions. Participants came from a diverse range of sectors from the private to the public, from academia to government institutions and farmers representations, with large shares of young, female, African and Asian attendees.

 

The participants shaped a general consensus that increased advancement of digital technologies – from mobile-based to satellite data, from the Internet of Things (IoT) to Artificial Intelligence – provide opportunities never seen before. In order to ensure that these technologies do not further increase the digital divide, a large focus of all ecosystem stakeholders should be on understanding and addressing the barriers of adoption and use of digital agricultural solutions. Supported by the GIZ ‘Fund for the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture’ (i4Ag), the AgriPath consortium organized a session specifically trained on this aspect. The research project provides farmers and extension services with tailored digital solutions for sustainable agricultural practices. What makes it interesting is that the focus is not just on the technical solution, but places great emphasis on human-centred design and behaviour change to better understand intra-household decision-making and norms around gender equality, in order to support women in the adaption of digital solutions.

 

Another big topic at the conference was data. Data analysis is a growing trend across industries, making it a critical part of improving business operations and decision-making. Myriad forms of data are enabling businesses to understand and anticipate customer needs, get insights into new geographies and customer segments, optimize resources, and make better decisions. The agriculture sector is no different when it comes to the usage of data analytics. The sector has witnessed an increased use of digital solutions such as precision agriculture, blockchain technology, and IoT to capture, facilitate, analyse, and enable decision-making on various activities throughout the supply chain. These solutions are driving a shift towards improved crop yields, climate change mitigation, efficiency increases in resource utilization, and aligned agricultural supply and demand.

 

Yet challenges remain related to data privacy and ownership - especially for smallholders.

 

There is an immediate need to design frameworks or processes for data governance and ownership that put farmers' needs at the centre.

 

Together with the Dalberg Data Insights enterprise, i4Ag recently finalized a study on data sovereignty and how to improve control over data for smallholder farmers, presented during an interactive session at the conference. Putting in place policies around governance and inclusion will also drive the adaptation of innovative and farmer-friendly solutions for data analytics in the agriculture sector. One example for such improved analytics is ‘Croppie’, another project supported by the i4Ag fund which gives farmers access to yield predictions using AI, smartphone pictures and gamification. Such improved analytics have the potential to thereby improve livelihoods and increase smallholders’ income. Simultaneously, service providers and other agriculture stakeholders will benefit through creating a fair and competitive market for service delivery.

 

Climate change constituted another highly relevant and timely topic addressed at the conference. Globally, many agricultural technologies (‘agtechs’) are now working across the three pillars of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) increased productivity and income, enhanced resilience, and reduced emissions. Technological solutions offered by agtechs may have the potential to become highly effective, scalable, and sustainable for building the climate resilience of smallholder farmers. Furthermore, enhancing information flows, such interventions could help farmers prepare for climate and price volatility.

 

Ich bin ein Alternativtext
The conference summoned a large audience across a diversity of generations, genders and geographies. © Intellecap 2022

Looking Ahead: Agriculture 4.0?

The closing panel provided an outlook on Agriculture 4.0, or the next (digital) agricultural revolution. Overall, it can be concluded that Agriculture 4.0 is on the rise and digital technologies have already shown great promise providing farmers with information, extension and advisory services, enabling more efficient financial services, and facilitating connections between buyers and sellers. Our mission should now be to use the momentum and shape this development in such a way that all stakeholders can participate equally in the digital transformation. We can achieve this goal primarily through increased collaboration between all stakeholders. This includes governmental institutions, NGOs, the private sector, academia and, above all, smallholders and their organizations themselves.

 

There is a great need for collaboration that goes hand-in-hand with the private sector as a driver for innovation.

 

We should cooperate with government institutions to ensure that policy and regulation create a conductive environment for such innovations, not least to spread their benefits fairly.

 

It is also vital that we collaborate with the farmers’ cooperatives and extension agents, who work directly with and for the farmers. We need to work with NGOs and civil society partners who can bring in holistic views of the challenges ahead, ensuring digital solutions are accessible and inclusive – especially for women.

 

The coherent involvement of agricultural technologies’ actual users, especially smallholders, is crucial in order to properly understand their needs and to verify the feasibility and scalability of digital solutions. Thus, Agriculture 4.0 is not just about what is technologically possible- it is about the right framework conditions, the skills involved and ultimately about those people who will use and benefit from such digital solutions.

 

About the Conference and Funding Opportunities

The ICTforAg conference provides a platform for leading and emerging stakeholders in the agri-food space to share their learnings, present their perspectives, and catalyse partnerships to find innovative solutions to modern challenges. All videos from the conference can be found on YouTube and facebook. Learn more about the event on the conference website.

 

The 2022 conference was implemented by DAI and Intellecap, and sponsored by Feed the Future and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the GIZ Fund for the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture (i4Ag). Further information on funding opportunities for innovative projects across the agri-food sector on the ‘innovation4ag' website.

 

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What is wrong with our nutrition in Germany, Mr. Plagge ?

An interview with Jan Plagge (Bioland)

Vitamin-poor nutrition must become more expensive, in-vitro meat is not a panacea, and agricultural systems should be more decentralised. Bioland President Jan Plagge in an interview about the challenge of (future) world nutrition.

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Innovation Challenge 2021

Competition for ideas by BMZ

Out of 40 consortia that applied from all over the world, 14 were invited to present their innovative concept on agroecological approaches in the form of an online pitch and to face the questions of an international jury of experts. Find out which six semi-finalists were selected by the jury and what happens next in this article.

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(c) Simon Veith

The future is rural

A contribution by "World Without Hunger"

The future is rural. Young African entrepreneurs gave their generation a vocie during the G-20 conference in Berlin. "World Without Hunger" asked six of them, how more jobs can be created in rural areas.

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Nine Harvests Left until 2030: How Will the BMZ Organise Itself in the Future?

An Interview with Dirk Schattschneider (BMZ)

"One World no Hunger" (SEWOH) becomes one of the five core themes of the BMZ. Dirk Schattschneider, SEWOH Commissioner about previous approaches, future areas of action, and the political will to end hunger.

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'The Doors are Open - We Farmers are Ready'

An Interview with Shamika Mone (INOFO) and Elizabeth Nsimadala (EAFF)

At the UN Food Systems Summit, farmers organizations have been represented on the international stage for the first time ever. Two representatives talk about bridging personal aspirations with the representation of regional needs and international negotiations.

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Cooperation and Effective Incentives for Sustainable Land Use

A Contribution by GIZ

The second GFFA expert panel highlights the need for governance action to reverse global trends of land degradation.

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GFFA for New Perspectives on the Planet’s Soils

A Contribution by Journalist Jan Ruebel

For five days, the 2022 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin is all about strategies for a more sustainable land use.

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Strenghtening Farmers' Rights with Soft Laws

A Contribution by Welthungerhilfe

How the UN Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGT) contribute to fairer and more secure land access.

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What Needs to Change for Africa’s Youth, Ms Kah Walla?

An Interview with Kah Walla

A conversation with the activist and entrepreneur Kah Walla about what needs to change for young people in rural Africa.

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How to Enhance Soil Organic Carbon – Uniting Traditional and Innovative Practices

A Contribution by GIZ

Indian farmers restore precious soil material combining traditional with innovative approaches. A case example how governance, agriculture and development cooperation can work together to combat climate change.

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Our Food Systems are in Urgent Need of Crisis-Proofing: what needs to be done

An Artikel by TMG

Based on a scientific study by TMG Think Tank, the authors highlight various challenges in the fight against the hunger crisis. The findings show that climate change, conflict and covid-19 are increasing food and energy prices.

 

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New UN Biodiversity Agreement

A Contribution by Rural 21

Nations adopted four goals and 23 targets for 2030 to foster biodiversity conservation and counter acceleration in the global rate of species extinction at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15).

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"Human capital will play a pivotal role in the transformation of African economies"

A contribution by Ben Leyka

The potential the African food sector holds is still far too strongly associated with the continent’s natural resources, Ben Leyka maintains. He seeks to change this with the African Agri Council.

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And a semicolon in the middle

A contribution by Jan Rübel

After a two-year break due to Corona, the doors of the International Green Week (IGW) in Berlin are opening again. From 20th to 29th January, visitors from all over the world can discover, marvel and taste the produce. But the event is not only feasting and fun. The BMZ stand asks questions about where food comes from & where it goes – and in the process becomes a crash test for many habits.

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The importance of water for sustainable rural development

A contribtion by WE4F

How can the challenges related to water, rural development and climate resilient agriculture be addressed? What innovations need to be promoted? The Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) initiative presents strategies and innovations for sustainable, integrated water management in German and international cooperation.

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From reaction to action

A contribtion by GIZ

A Year of Multiple Crises: Russian war against Ukraine, extreme weather events, high prices for energy and fertilizer, food crisis had severe implications for food security and agriculture globally and especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Transformation of the food systems is needed.

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New legal initiatives towards deforestation-free supply chains as a game changer

A Contribution by Gerhard Langenberger

Regarding deforestation free supply chains, there are challenges and opportunities for smallholder farmers as well as for international forest governance. Also, responsibilities for companies and potential incentives for manufacturers to use materials from fair trade and sustainable sources need to be explored. But what does “deforestation-free” actually mean?

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2022, a year of crisis – What does it mean for African trade and food security?

A Contribution by Ousmane Badiane

The Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor 2022 (AATM) was published by IFPRI and AKADEMIYA2063. The report analyses the short- and long-term trends and drivers of African agricultural trade flows, including regional policies and the role of global markets.

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How the War against Ukraine Destabilizes Global Grain Markets

A Contribution by GIZ

Since early February 2022, two of the biggest grain and oilseed exporters have been at war. An overview, which countries are affected most severely by the destabilized grain markets, and what comes next.

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Controversy: Do supply chains need liability rules?

Discussion about the potential supply chain law

The German government is struggling to pass a supply chain law. It is intended to address violations of human rights, social and environmental standards. What would the consequences be for business? A double interview with Veselina Vasileva from GEPA and economics professor Andreas Freytag.

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5 Questions for Jann Lay: What is Corona doing to the economy?

Interview with Jann Lay (GIGA)

The Corona pandemic is hitting economies around the world very hard - but developments in African countries are quite diverse. There are different speeds, resiliences and vulnerabilities. What are the reasons for this? Apl. Prof. Jann Lay of the GIGA Institute provides answers.

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Do import restrictions really benefit the local poor in West Africa?

A contribution by Isabel Knößlsdorfer

Protectionist policies like tariffs supposedly protect domestic producers if they cannot compete with cheaper imported products. Some African countries have therefore opted to impose such import restrictions for a number of products. For the case of chicken imports in Ghana, this study analyses whether restrictions would lead to overall positive or negative welfare effects among households.

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Sang'alo Institute invests in farming of sunflower crop

A contribution by James Wanzala

Kenya is a large importer of vetable oils mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia - amongst them sunflower oil. Due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, there were supply bottlenecks and food shortages, leading to less affordable vegetable oils in Kenya. As a response to the lack of supply, the Sanga'alo Institute of Science and Technology, took that impulse, teamed up with the GIZ and established regional cultivation and refinement of sunflowers.

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Farmers' organizations want to be involved in designing agricultural policy

An interview with Kolyang Palebele

Four interviews kick off the relaunch under the new name „Food4Transformation“, asking the same questions from different perspectives. "Women and young people need access to land. And they need financial support to cultivate this land." - says Kolyang Palebele, President of the Pan African Farmers Organisation (PAFO).

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BMZ releases video on the transformation of agricultural and food systems

A contribution by GIZ

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has released a video on the transformation of agricultural and food systems. In the video, Federal Minister Svenja Schulze also speaks about the urgent need to combat global hunger and contribute to resilient agricultural and food systems.

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“More of the same is not enough - we need to rethink”

An interview with Dirk Meyer

Four interviews kick off the relaunch under the new name „Food4Transformation“, asking the same questions from different perspectives. Dirk Meyer, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, thinks: less individual solutions are needed, but more systemic approaches. Because in addition to the goals for food security, the issues of climate and biodiversity must also be taken into account.

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Unlocking the potential of agrivoltaics

A contribution by Fraunhofer Institute

Agrivoltaics is a concept that combines photovoltaic electricity generation and agricultural production, providing the opportunity for a more efficient land use and contributing overall to the integration of food, energy and water systems. This can be particularly interesting for countries in the Global South, where rural electrification rates are often low and food security needs to be improved.

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Just change starts with listening

A Contribution by Jan Rübel

Halfway through the 2030 Agenda, the BMZ invited participants to a network meeting entitled "Partners for change - Transformation to a food secure, resilient and sustainable future". Experts from around the world developed recommendations in a consultation process and then consolidated them in Berlin. A site visit.

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What is needed for a long-term fertiliser strategy?

A contribution by Michael Brüntrup

The world is currently experiencing a historic food crisis. High fertiliser prices are part of the problem. In addition to the necessary short-term aid measures, the crisis ought to be made use of to develop and implement longer-term fertiliser strategies for sustainable, in particular smallholder increases in production in the Global South.

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Think20 Policy Brief centres on Agroecology

Insights from the T20 Policy Brief

Given the urgency of transforming agricultural and food systems, GIZ India's Food Systems and Agroecology Working Group is exploring the potential of agroecology in collaboration with Think20 partners. A policy brief has now been published.

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