Africa’s future agricultural technology flagship meeting, the African Conference on Agricultural Technology (ACAT), is to delineate actionable solutions for challenges in agri-tech application in the continent.
The conference to be organized by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Kenya through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development mainly focuses on the centrality of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in fostering agricultural transformation on the continent, according to AATF statement.
According to AATF, the agri-tech conference, themed “Agricultural Resilience through Innovation”, will bring together agricultural researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions that can enhance agricultural productivity in Africa.
ACAT which will be held from 30th October – 3rd November 2023 at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya is expected to facilitate an important platform to discuss what science, technology, and innovation (STI) can do to drive transformation in agricultural output and food systems on the continent.
It also provides an opportunity for in-depth discussions and consensus building on the barriers to technology development and transfer and generates higher policy-level interest at the continental level to resolve the identified challenges.
ACAT – AATF’s Flagship Conference
In connection with conference, AATF Executive Director Dr Canisius K. Kanangire says: “This is AATF’s flagship platform and through it, we are looking to provide an opportunity for stakeholders, who are keen on progressing the continent’s socio-economic development, food and nutrition security through the development and commercialization of innovative agriculture.”
“We will draw more players to drive attention towards policy matters, mobilize commitment and partnerships, and unlock resources for science, technology, and innovation for agriculture on the continent,” Dr Canisius recently told the NATION.
The conference provides an opportunity to discuss how to scale and enhance the impact of agricultural technologies with an aim of transforming the sector, he says, adding that adoption of these innovative cutting-edge agricultural technologies in Africa that contribute to addressing the multiple emerging and recurrent production challenges is paramount.
AATF Board Chair of Trustees Prof. Aggrey Ambali, also indicated that African countries are making remarkable progress in adoption of improved agricultural technologies.
Agriculture continues to play a pivotal role in meeting the food needs of a growing global African population that is estimated to reach 1.8 billion by 2035 and agri-tech is bolstering the food and nutrition security resolve and overcoming farm productivity constraints with smallholder farmers’ livelihoods being transformed through agricultural innovations, he added.
Conference Expected To Highlight Role of Biotechnology
As to Dr. Emmanuel Okogbenin , AATF Director of Programme Development and Commercialization, agricultural biotechnology is an important application of scientific techniques that seeks to improve trait expression, productivity and product quality through a series of techniques and novel genetic improvement strategies.
He says that it is a vital tool to modify and improve plants, animals and microorganisms to increase their value and several crop varieties have been developed through biotechnology. However, he says, African biotechnology is not integrated.
“Harnessing the benefits of biotechnology for the prosperity of the small holder farmer for improved food and nutrition security in Africa will essentially require strong integration of biotechnology into current food system programs and initiatives in the strategic plans of countries, respective sub-regions and at the continental level.”
Dr. Okogbenin underlined: “One promising solution that could be a game changer in achieving a sustainable food and nutrition secure Africa is the adoption of biotechnology and complementary innovative technologies at significant levels that can catalyze productivity transformation and improved food system resilience in the developing world in particular.”
Conference Guests and Speakers
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan Former President Federal Republic of Nigeria is one of the Keynote Speakers at the conference. He has confirmed attendance in the 1st African Conference of Agricultural Technology.
Dr. Mandefro Nigussie, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), will also be one of the speakers at the conference. His Agency, ATA, as a government initiative was established to promote agricultural sector transformation in Ethiopia by identifying solutions to systemic bottlenecks in key program areas.