Speaking on this occasion, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Abebe Haile-Gabriel, discussed the progress made in African countries in terms of mechanization, including increased investments by governments, agricultural and private sector organizations in this area.
He explained that these advances stem from the increasing adoption of mechanization in value chains, solar irrigation systems, government incentives for machinery imports, as well as the commitment of equipment manufacturers, who supply both new and used machines.
Mr. Abebe also mentioned the rise of digital connectivity has enabled the emergence of digital mechanization in Africa. This is due to the increase in the number of Internet users (+17% in 5 years), the increase in mobile subscriptions, the improvement in access to financial resources for disadvantaged social sectors, as well as the development tractor rental services like “Hello Tractor” in Nigeria and Kenya, and “Trotro Tractor” in Ghana.
For her part, South Sudan’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Josephine Lagu, announced the recent launch of a digitalization program in partnership with FAO, aimed at creating more efficient agricultural systems and collect data about farmers, such as their needs, location and the type of agricultural products grown.
In this sense, she underlined the ambition of the government of the Republic of South Sudan to promote mechanized industrial agriculture, by putting digitalization at the heart of agricultural transformation.
The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, for his part, highlighted the transformative role of mechanization and digitalization. He thus noted the importance of overcoming the inequalities that affect women and young people to achieve a more productive, profitable and connected African agriculture.
By promoting inclusive policy goals and encouraging collaboration, this discussion aims to ensure equitable access to technological advances for smallholders, women and youth, fostering an agricultural sector benefiting from sustainable mechanization and digital technologies through targeted programs and an enabling environment, he said.
Other speakers agreed on the need to harness the potential benefits of mechanization and the digital revolution, while bridging the digital divide for youth and women. They called for tailored solutions and new investments in infrastructure, skills development, energy access and connectivity.
The FAO Regional Conference for Africa, which continues until April 20, has the theme “Resilient agri-food systems and inclusive rural transformation” and is intended to be a strategic regional platform focused on food security and rural development in Africa .