Technology key to transform agriculture, says ex-Nigerian president

Charles Barchigei and his wife Emily Biwott at their maize farm at Cheptil in Nandi County on September 11, 2023. Food security continues to be a challenge in Africa despite massive opportunities. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

"If we handle agricultural resilience right, we shall move, as a continent, in placing agriculture in good stead and as a pedestal for economic recovery and prosperity," he said.

Dr Canisius Kanangire, the new Executive Director of the AATF, said that ACAT was a culmination of two years of planning and long hours of consultation by dedicated teams at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, AATF, and diverse partners at national, and regional
and international level.

Dr Kanangire noted that the journey towards revolutionizing agriculture through technology is a collective endeavour, guided by a shared vision and purpose.

"We eagerly anticipate the exchange of ideas, collaboration, and innovation that will propel us towards our common objectives of ensuring food security, eradicating poverty and enhancing the well-being of our nation and our
planet," he said

Kanangire said that AATF had facilitated access to innovative agricultural technologies worth over USD 650 million during its 20 years in operation, benefiting 4.8 million smallholder farmers in 24 countries including Kenya.

To facilitate the development, uptake, and use of advanced technologies, he said AATF actively works with country governments to negotiate and access technologies, structure public/private partnerships for development, adaptation and dissemination and contribute towards building an enabling environment for technology through knowledge sharing, advocacy and capacity strengthening.