During the Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF), Solidaridad Southern Africa issued a strong call for the adoption of digital innovations to address key challenges facing smallholder farmers in the region.
The forum, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda, served as a platform for the organisation to advocate for increased investment in youth-led digital solutions aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience.
Speaking at the event, Shungu Kanyemba, managing director of Solidaridad Southern Africa, highlighted the critical need for digital platforms that bundle essential services such as soil testing, weather data, insurance, and financial products.
“These bundled services are not just about convenience; they are about making vital agricultural resources accessible and affordable for smallholder farmers,” Kanyemba stated.
He pointed out that these digital innovations have the potential to revolutionise agricultural practices across Southern Africa, making farming more resilient and productive.
Digital innovations pave the way
Solidaridad’s focus on digital tools comes amid growing recognition of the need to modernise agricultural systems to meet the challenges posed by climate change, economic instability, and population growth.
The organisation showcased its successful implementation of digital platforms that offer a range of services to farmers, highlighting their role in improving agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Candice Kroutz-Kabongo, digital innovations lead for Solidaridad, emphasised the broader implications of these tools.
“Digital platforms are not just improving access to services; they are also providing critical data that can inform national agricultural policies and strategies. This is about more than just helping individual farmers – it’s about enabling entire countries to make better decisions for their agricultural sectors,” she said.
Solidaridad’s advocacy at this year’s AGRF is said to reflect a growing consensus that digital innovations are key to building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future for Africa. Its leaders stressed that empowering youth and women through these technologies is essential for achieving long-term food security in the region.
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