A forum co-convened by the United
Nations (UN’s) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has hinted that guidelines
to improve the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs)
in agriculture, NaijaAgroNet
learnt.
This according to FAO officials have
gains which could bring innovation in agricultural technology, ensure more
efficient food production, mitigate food losses and attract the younger
generation to become successful farmers – are close at hand,
FAO Assistant Director-General and
Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Hiroyuki Konuma, told NaijaAgroNet in a press statement
that the applications of validated e-Agriculture processes will be a great
addition to innovative agricultural production, attract young generation in
agriculture and help safeguard farmers from losses, especially small holders.
“These applications could range from
a farmer using a smart phone to scan the barcode of a packet of certified seeds
– something that could ensure quality and a fair price, to the installation of
low-cost sensors at the village-level for hyper local weather information. The
lack of available and correct information at the right time and in the right
format is a major obstacle to many activities along the traditional
agricultural value chain and this is something that e-Agriculture could help
address efficiently,” he said.
Konuma also told NaijaAgroNet during the opening of
an “e-Agriculture Stakeholders Consultation” attended by government officials
and researchers, primarily from Asia, Africa and Near East to the three day
event in the Thai capital, pointed out that the finalization of the
e-Agriculture Strategy Guide and its applications for national context is
ongoing.
“Countries have tried to implement
e-Agriculture solutions in isolation,” Konuma pointed out. “This guide provides
valuable guidelines and offers a template to implement sustainable
e-Agriculture services.” Concerns over food losses due to natural disasters, or
lack of timely information during planting or harvesting, along with increased
pressure for food traceability – all offer entry points for the application of
proven ICT interventions in agriculture
Konuma added the e-Agriculture Stakeholders
Consultation is co-convened by FAO, ITU and CTA – the Centre for Agriculture
and Rural Cooperation
@Cyriacus Nnaji
Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE
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