Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Mithika Linturi, issued a resounding call for the adoption of agricultural technology (AgTech) as the foundation of global food security.
In his address at the African Conference on Agricultural Technology, Linturi emphasized the paramount importance of technology to address the intertwined challenges of feeding a surging world population and confronting the adverse impacts of climate change.
“We must accept the reality of life that the world is grappling with serious effects of climate change. In order to deal with these challenges and the growing population, we must be ready to adapt to investing in technologies,” Linturi declared.
The global population is expanding, climate change is altering weather patterns, and resources are depleting. In this context, the adoption of AgTech is not merely advantageous but an urgent necessity.
Linturi emphasized the need to invest in technology to boost crop yields, minimize post-harvest losses, and develop drought-resistant crops capable of withstanding the effects of climate change. As climate-related disruptions become more frequent, these technological advancements are crucial to ensure food security.
The African Conference on Agricultural Technology, organized by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, serves as a pivotal platform for stakeholders across the agricultural spectrum, including researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators.
The event was themed “Agricultural Resilience Through Innovation” and underscores the centrality of science, technology, and innovation in transforming the agricultural landscape on the continent.
The conference aims to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, sharing of best practices, and exploration of innovative solutions to enhance agricultural productivity across the African continent. It also serves as an opportunity to assess the progress made in achieving food and agriculture targets.
Dr. Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, highlighted that Africa’s food systems must transform to achieve food security and address environmental challenges. He outlined the importance of a convergence of science and technology, favorable policies, support institutions, access to finance, and market development in driving this transformation.
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