KALRO’s Digitization of Agricultural Technologies to Enhance Farmer Access
KALRO is digitizing agricultural technologies to enhance farmer access to vital resources and information. This initiative aims to address the challenges posed by underperforming extension services and climate change. During the upcoming CGIAR Science Week, innovative technologies will be showcased to promote food security and sustainability in agriculture.
The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has taken significant steps to digitize its agricultural innovations, improving access for farmers through mobile and online platforms. Dr. Eliud Kireger, Director General of KALRO, highlighted that this initiative is designed to compensate for the shortcomings of underperforming extension officers, allowing farmers to easily obtain crucial information on climate-smart practices, better seed varieties, and effective pest and disease management strategies.
Dr. Kireger emphasized the vital importance of this digitization in the face of climate change, which poses substantial challenges to small-scale farmers. During the upcoming CGIAR Science Week, from April 7-12 in Nairobi, KALRO will present technologies developed both locally and abroad that aim to enhance food and nutrition security for farmers.
The event will showcase innovations that demonstrate how scientific advancements can lead to increased agricultural productivity while ensuring the conservation of natural resources. Dr. Kireger noted the necessity of promoting the agricultural sector’s role in not only feeding populations but also in carbon sequestration, counteracting the narrative that presents agriculture solely as a producer of emissions.
Nairobi’s selection as the venue for the Science Week underscores Kenya’s significance as a leading hub for agricultural research in Africa. Other partners will present successful agricultural transformation models, technological innovations, and management practices suitable for implementation.
Dr. Kireger recognized the financial challenges associated with agricultural research, mentioning KALRO’s collaborations with entities like CGIAR to secure funding for investigations. He remarked that many agricultural technologies developed have relevance beyond Kenya, applicable across the region under similar climatic and socioeconomic conditions.
Addressing the impact of drought-tolerant technologies, Dr. Kireger stated that the economic ramifications of drought directly affect agricultural productivity and national GDP. He identified access to climate-smart technology as a primary concern facing the agricultural sector in sub-Saharan Africa and Kenya.
The Science Week promises to unveil various climate-smart technologies, including drought-resistant crop varieties and innovative solutions for managing new pests and diseases exacerbated by climate change. Dr. Kireger affirmed that these innovations would be tailored for small-scale and medium-scale farmers, traditionally facing difficulties in accessing advanced agricultural technologies.
For efficient agricultural productivity and food security in Kenya, Dr. Kireger stressed the need for farmers to acquire updated knowledge, quality seeds, and essential inputs like pesticides and fertilizers. He also called upon the government to facilitate more affordable access to these resources.
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, stressed the necessity for fostering a vibrant innovation environment that supports local manufacturing in the agricultural sector. She cited the creation of climate-smart villages in Kenya, incorporating agroforestry and solar irrigation, as crucial for enhancing productivity and farmer income. “Our farmers have become very receptive to modern farming technologies, making certified seeds in high demand during planting seasons,” Dr. Kireger noted.
In summary, KALRO’s digitization of agricultural technologies aims to enhance farmer access to vital information and resources in the backdrop of climate change. The upcoming CGIAR Science Week will showcase innovations that exemplify the role of science in modern agriculture while emphasizing the importance of affordable agricultural inputs for improved productivity and sustainability. Local and regional partnerships will be crucial in addressing both immediate and long-term challenges in the agricultural sector.
Original Source: africasciencenews.org
