Africa’s Food Security Depends on Innovation, Farmer Education, AI Technology and Strong Partnerships

Nairobi, Kenya 

Taifa news 

mt kenya news 

Panelists at the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) forum hosted by the in Nairobi have emphasized the need for innovation, farmer education, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and stronger partnerships to strengthen food security and transform agriculture across Africa.

The panelists observed that farmers across the continent are grappling with numerous challenges, including climate change, prolonged droughts, erratic weather patterns, emerging pests and diseases, declining soil fertility, post-harvest losses, limited access to quality inputs and rising production costs. They noted that these challenges continue to threaten food production, farmer incomes and the sustainability of agricultural systems.

Among the panelists was Stella Simiyu Wafukho, CEO of , who underscored the importance of science-based agricultural solutions and innovation in addressing the challenges facing farmers. She said sustainable food production will require greater collaboration among governments, researchers, the private sector and farmer organisations to ensure farmers have access to modern technologies and knowledge.

Wafukho highlighted the growing role of digital agriculture and AI-powered solutions in improving farm productivity. She noted that technology can help farmers predict pest and disease outbreaks, optimize fertilizer application, improve water management and access real-time weather information, enabling them to make informed decisions and reduce losses.

She added that CropLife works with governments, regulators, scientists and farmer groups to promote responsible use of crop protection products, stewardship programmes and sustainable agricultural practices aimed at improving food security while protecting the environment.

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lso on the panel was Joel Mutai, CEO of , who said the future of agriculture will increasingly depend on farmers' ability to embrace technology and innovation. He observed that AI and digital tools are becoming critical in helping farmers improve efficiency, reduce production costs and enhance resilience to climate-related challenges.

Mutai noted that despite the growing availability of agricultural technologies, many smallholder farmers continue to face obstacles such as limited digital literacy, inadequate access to technology, poor internet connectivity and insufficient extension services. He called for increased investment in farmer training and capacity building to bridge these gaps.

He further highlighted CropLife Kenya's efforts in promoting stewardship programmes that train farmers on the safe handling, storage and disposal of crop protection products. According to Mutai, responsible use of agricultural inputs is essential for protecting human health, safeguarding the environment and improving farm productivity.

The panelists also raised concerns over counterfeit and illegal agricultural products, describing them as a major threat to farmer productivity, food safety and consumer confidence. They called for stronger regulatory enforcement and closer collaboration between government agencies, industry players and farmer organisations to address the problem.

The discussions reinforced the need for stronger public-private partnerships, farmer-centred policies and increased investment in innovation to build resilient food systems capable of feeding Africa's growing population while improving livelihoods for millions of farmers across the continent.