By Aoma Keziah,
Over 400 participants from across Africa’s digital agriculture sector gathered in Nairobi , for the 8th Annual Mercy Corps AgriFin Learning Event. The conference brought together key stakeholders, including innovators, policy makers, and AgTech entrepreneurs, to showcase cutting-edge technologies transforming smallholder farming, addressing climate change, and boosting food security across the continent.
Sieka Gatabaki, Program Director for Mercy Corps AgriFin, said that the organization’s efforts is to support gender inclusion in the AgTech sector.
“Our program has developed a gender toolkit to help public and private sector actors better understand the needs of women farmers. These initiatives allow for the creation of gender-responsive products that enhance the productivity and income of women in agriculture. When women in rural communities earn more, they reinvest in their families, improving household resilience through better access to education and healthcare.” He stated.
He further emphasized that incorporating women into the AgTech ecosystem not only uplifts communities but also boosts agricultural efficiency and sustainability.
“As more women become involved in the sector, new ways of addressing some of the most pressing challenges can be discovered and solved.” Gatabaki said.
David Saunders, Director of Strategy and Growth at Briter Bridges, underscored the importance of data collection to direct funding where it is most needed.
“Going forward we need to improve the quality and relevance of data on the AgTech ecosystem in Africa to ensure that we can match ventures with the right type of funding and the right type of support to unlock their potential to support smallholder farmers and improve food systems in Africa.” Saunders stated.
During the event, AgTech stakeholders stressed the importance of expanding technological solutions to smallholder farmers, emphasizing that time is of the essence. According to the State of AgTech Investment 2024 Report, the AgTech sector has attracted approximately $1.6 billion in funding over the past decade. However, experts believe this is not enough to meet the growing demands of the industry. To fully unlock AgTech’s potential, stakeholders are advocating that this needs to double over the next decade to more than $3 billion in investment over the next decade to keep pace of innovation.
The event featured a vibrant exhibition hall, where participants explored innovative solutions such as precision farming tools, mobile-based advisory platforms, and climate-smart agricultural practices. These technologies aim to enhance productivity for smallholder farmers, helping them mitigate climate risks and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
A key theme at this year’s event was the urgent need for increased investment in empowering women entrepreneurs in agriculture. Industry leaders called for more targeted financial support and capacity-building initiatives to ensure that women, who make up the backbone of Africa’s agricultural labor force, have access to the tools and resources necessary to drive digital transformation in farming.
The 8th Annual Learning Event serves as a critical platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities in the AgTech space, with a special focus on how digital innovations can transform farming and improve livelihoods, particularly for women and smallholder farmers across Africa.
With Africa facing rising food insecurity exacerbated by climate risks, the event underscored the critical role of AgTech innovation in creating sustainable agricultural systems. Participants also highlighted the importance of collaboration among private sector players, governments, and NGOs in scaling digital solutions for smallholder farmers across the continent.
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