In the heart of Africa, a digital revolution is brewing, one that promises to transform the way smallholder farmers adapt to climate change. A recent study published in *Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems* (which translates to *Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems* in English) sheds light on how digital technologies can accelerate the adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, enhancing productivity, food security, and livelihood sustainability. The research, led by Margareth Mollel from the Agriculture Food Systems and Bioeconomy Research Centre at the University of Galway in Ireland, highlights both the opportunities and challenges in this digital agronomy frontier.
The study underscores the potential of digital technologies—ranging from mobile phone apps to social media platforms—to scale CSA practices among smallholder farmers. “Digital agronomy supports present significant opportunities for strengthening agricultural extension systems,” Mollel explains. However, the journey is not without hurdles. Despite the rapid growth in phone and internet access across Africa, many smallholder farming communities still lack effective access to these essential services. This digital divide acts as a brake on the ambitious targets set for CSA scaling and agricultural sector development, as outlined in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Kampala CAADP Declaration.
The research identifies a broad range of digital technologies that can be harnessed for scaling CSA, including radio, mobile phone apps, video, animations, and social media platforms. The affordability of phone and internet services for poorer smallholders, along with the lack of technology infrastructure and digital literacy skills, remains a significant barrier to the “last mile” delivery of effective digital agronomy services. However, as digital access becomes more affordable and digital agronomy systems become more powerful, pervasive, and localized—thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence and machine translation—there is significant potential for these systems to augment and strengthen national agricultural extension systems.
Mollel envisions a future where digital agronomy services can help accelerate the scaling of CSA practices for millions of smallholder farmers who are most vulnerable to the unfolding climate crisis. “As digital access becomes more affordable and digital agronomy systems become more powerful, pervasive, and localized, there is significant potential for these systems to augment and strengthen national agricultural extension systems supporting smallholder farmers,” she notes.
The implications of this research are profound for the agricultural sector and beyond. By bridging the digital divide and enhancing digital literacy, the agricultural sector can unlock new opportunities for productivity and resilience. This, in turn, can have a ripple effect on food security, livelihood sustainability, and economic development. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, the role of digital technologies in supporting smallholder farmers becomes increasingly crucial. The study by Mollel and her team serves as a beacon of hope, highlighting the transformative potential of digital agronomy in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for African agriculture.