Science-Based Solutions Could Create a More Sustainable and Resilient Future of Agriculture
Agriculture is at a crossroads. On the one hand, we face the challenge of feeding a growing global population. On the other hand, we need to produce food sustainably and resiliently to climate change.
Science-based solutions offer a way to bridge this gap. By leveraging the latest scientific knowledge and technologies, we can develop new ways to produce food more efficiently, sustainably, and profitably.
However, there is a significant gap between the scientific community and the farmers who stand to benefit the most from these advancements. Smallholder farmers, in particular, are often excluded from innovation and need access to the latest technologies and resources.
The 2023 ANDE Conference in Ghana brought together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to discuss how to bridge this gap and harness the power of science to transform agriculture.
The panel discussion on "Agtech as a Bridge Between Science and Agriculture" produced several key lessons and insights:
Importance of Agribusinesses: While the primary focus is on supporting smallholder farmers, digital tools and science-based solutions often require a level of sophistication that agribusinesses are better suited to implement. Equipping agribusinesses with science-based information can increase productivity, quality improvement, streamlined supply chains, and adherence to environmental and social standards.
The CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative , TechnoServe , and FBISTech use science to help smallholder farmers improve their productivity and resilience. While TechnoServe's primary focus is supporting smallholder farmers, digital tools and science-based solutions often require a level of sophistication more suited for agribusinesses.
FBISTech is a company that provides digital extension services to smallholder farmers in Africa. FBISTech's CEO and founder, Isaiah Bendi , explained that FBISTech uses farmers' locations to send targeted information to them in their local language via outbound calls, SMS, or USSD. This flexibility makes it easier for farmers to access the information they need, even if they missed the outbound call.
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FBISTech's localized and targeted distribution of information enables farmers to receive relevant and tailored information. This is important because the needs of farmers in different locations can vary greatly. For example, farmers in a drought-prone region may need different information than farmers in a region with abundant rainfall.
FBISTech is also working with telecom partners to expand its coverage to areas where there is no network or where farmers do not have access to the network. The telecom partners have committed to ensuring the expansion of the coverage and will give farmers free SIM cards so that FBISTech can quickly bring farmers into the ecosystem.
This collaboration between FBISTech and telecom partners is a promising example of how science-based solutions can be localized and made more accessible to smallholder farmers. By providing farmers with access to timely and relevant information, FBISTech is helping them to improve their productivity and resilience.
The work of FBISTech, TechnoServe , and the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative demonstrates the potential of science-based solutions to help smallholder farmers. By localizing and targeting their solutions, these organizations are making them more accessible and relevant to the farmers who need them most.
The ANDE Conference in Ghana was a timely and important event. It brought together key players to discuss and advance the use of science-based solutions in agriculture. We can create a more sustainable and resilient food system by bridging the gap between science and agriculture.
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