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Dr. Wilhelmina Quaye, Director of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has called for the integration of digital technology into agriculture to help address food insecurity in Ghana. Speaking at the policy dialogue on “Enhancing Farmers’ Uptake of Digital Technologies Through Empirical Research, Innovation, and Policy Intervention Project” in Accra, Dr. Quaye emphasized the importance of digital tools in providing crucial weather information and enabling farmers to better adapt to climate change.
The dialogue highlighted the transformative impact of digital technologies on farming practices. Dr. Quaye noted that such technologies could enhance decision-making by offering farmers real-time data on market prices and agricultural extension services. “Digital technologies are revolutionizing various sectors, including agriculture. In Ghana, where agriculture is vital, these technologies can help farmers overcome challenges like limited access to extension services,” she explained.
Dr. Quaye’s advocacy comes amid concerns over a potential drought due to insufficient rainfall in northern Ghana. She pointed out that high internet costs and inadequate IT infrastructure are major barriers to the adoption of digital technologies among farmers. To address these issues, Dr. Quaye called for targeted training programs to improve farmers’ digital literacy and urged both government and private sector stakeholders to invest in ICT infrastructure and affordable digital solutions.
Mr. John Kpodoviah, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, expressed concern over the Ministry’s high attrition rate, which has negatively affected agricultural support services. He highlighted that digital technologies could help mitigate the impact of the human resource shortage by providing essential services to farmers.
Ms. Céline Prud’Homme Madsen, Programme Manager at the European Union, encouraged the government to strengthen policies that promote the use of digital technology in agriculture. The event also featured panel discussions on leveraging digital systems to enhance food security in Ghana.
