By Duncan Mboyah
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi -Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will use geospatial technologies to improve agriculture in Africa’s drylands.
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, the Director General of ICRISAT, said that the technologies will be used to facilitate the adoption of climate-smart practices due to the challenges that are associated with climate change in the continent.
“We are opting for the use of technology since science alone is unable to deliver food security on the continent,” Pathak said during the launch of ICRISAT’s 2025 – 2030 strategic plan for Africa in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
Dr. Pathak noted that through the technology, ICRISAT will use crop suitability maps, land use analysis, and early warning systems for predicting extreme weather events and pest outbreaks.
He observed that since the problems of drylands are intensified by climate change and lack of water, the efforts are aimed at transforming the drylands of Africa into a viable, sustainable agricultural landscape.
The official added that the organization will also apply appropriate mechanization and digital innovations to enhance efficiency in agricultural and processing operations.
The organization will also capitalize on digital innovations and platforms to advance and disseminate climate-smart agricultural technologies to boost resilience, productivity and suitability of agrifoods systems in the continent.
He added that they will deploy information and communications technology platforms in distributing market information and agro-advisories, informing investment decisions in enhancing agricultural systems.
Even though drylands continue to increase due to a changing climate, ICRISAT intends to transform drylands in Africa through collaboration with partners and farmers, Dr. Pathak said, adding that the organization intends to adopt climate resilient crops, build the capacity of farmers and also educate farmers on value addition on their produce so as to earn good returns.
In its strategic plan 2025 – 2030, ICRISAT pledged to direct its research efforts to catalyze and facilitate effective delivery of research and development investments with a focus on foresight analysis to estimate the return of the new innovations and technologies.
The strategy is also aimed at forging strategic alliances with the private sector, farmers’ groups and youths to promote agripreneurship.
