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

taifa news 

mt kenya news 

Nairobi, Kenya –

9 June 2026

 Panelists at the World Farmers’ Organisation (World Farmers’ Organisation) forum hosted by the Kenya National Farmers Federation 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 noted that farmers across the continent are grappling with multiple 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 warned that these challenges continue to threaten food production, farmer incomes, and the overall sustainability of agricultural systems.

Among the speakers was Ms. Stella Simiyu, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Africa Middle East, who underscored the importance of science-based agricultural solutions and innovation in addressing the challenges facing farmers.

She emphasized that sustainable food production will require stronger collaboration among governments, researchers, the private sector, and farmer organisations to ensure farmers have access to modern technologies and practical knowledge.

Ms. Simiyu 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 Africa Middle East continues to work with governments, regulators, scientists, and farmer organisations to promote responsible use of crop protection products, stewardship programmes, and sustainable agricultural practices aimed at improving food security while safeguarding the environment.

She further stressed that strengthening farmer awareness is key, noting that innovation alone is not enough unless farmers are equipped with the right training to safely and effectively apply agricultural technologies.

Also on the panel was Mr. Joel Mutai, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Kenya, 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.

Mr. 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 sensitize farmers on the safe handling and storage of crop protection products, as well as the proper disposal of empty pesticide containers. According to him, responsible use of agricultural inputs is essential for protecting human health, safeguarding the environment, and improving farm productivity.

He also warned that counterfeit and illegal agricultural products remain a major threat to the sector, reducing yields, increasing farmer losses, and undermining trust in agricultural markets. He called for stronger regulatory enforcement and closer collaboration between government agencies, industry players, and farmer organisations to eliminate the menace.

The panelists also raised concerns over the rising threat of counterfeit and illegal agricultural inputs, 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.