CSIR Director calls for digital technology integration in agriculture to combat food insecurity

Dr Wilhemnina Quaye, Director, Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has advocated for the incorporation of digital technology in agriculture to avert food insecurity in the country.She said the availability of adequate weather information in digital technologies would enable farmers to build resilience to climate change.The Director was speaking at the policy dialogue on Enhancing Farmers' Uptake of Digital Technologies Through Empirical Research, Innovation, and Policy Intervention Project, held in Accra.The event featured deliberations and presentations on the benefits of digital technologies to farmers.The Director said the incorporation of data would advance decision-making by providing farmers with information on market pricing and agriculture extension services.'We know that the increasing use of data technologies is taking shape in several sectors of the economy, including agriculture.'In agriculture, I believe it is changing by improving the productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of how food is grown, processed, and marketed.In Ghana, where agriculture is essential, digital technologies will undoubtedly provide chances for farmers to address difficulties such as restricted access to agriculture extension services,' she said.Dr Quaye's comments come against the backdrop of a looming drought the country might face due to the unavailability of rainfall in the Northern part of the country.She noted that factors, including high internet costs and poor information technology infrastructure, were inhibiting the uptake of digital technologies among farmers in Ghana.Dr Quaye called on the government and digital service providers to provide targeted training to farmers to improve their digital literacy.The Director urged the government and the private sector, investors, and donors to increase investment in ICT infrastructure and affordable and easy-to-use digital technologies.Mr John Kpodoviah, Deputy Director, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, expressed concern about the Ministry's high attrition rate.This has led to a situation where agriculture support services to farmers have been severely impacted by the situation.He said the incorporation of digital services by farmers played a major role in offsetting the shortage of human resources occasioned by the attrition rate at the Ministry.Ms Céline Prud'Homme Madsen, Programme Manager, European Union, urged the government to strengthen policies that could promote the utilization of digital technology among farmers.There were panel discussions on the utilization of digital systems to promote food security in the country.Source: Ghana News Agency