Smallholder farmers encouraged to embrace emerging digital agribusiness solutions

Smallholder farmers in the Bono region have been encouraged to take advantage of the emerging digital agribusiness solutions to double their yield and make a meaningful living.

The various digital agribusiness platforms consist of applications and solutions built to solve challenges facing players within the agricultural sector.

The Jaman North District Director of the Department of Agriculture, Victor Yao-Dablu, gave this advice at Sampa in the Jaman North District of the Bono region.

He noted that the digital agribusiness platforms are to help establish linkages between farmers and input or output market services, hence the need for smallholder farmers in the Bono region to embrace them.

“A recent study conducted by the USAID-funded ADVANCE programme reveals that only 7 per cent of farmers in northern Ghana use certified seeds, whilst 37.53 per cent use improved but not certified seeds, so the digital agribusiness platforms will be the game-changer if smallholder farmers get hooked on to the services,” he stated.

According to Mr Yao-Dablu, mobile phone technologies present an opportunity to integrate dispersed smallholder farmers into structured input and output markets.

He noted that mobile phone-based Information Technology (ICT) can facilitate timely access to information and exchange of information among actors along the value chain to manage transactions, arrange logistics and ensure quality standards are adhered to by smallholder farmers.

“Most digital agribusiness solutions are often integrated and customised ICT platforms designed to help stakeholders in the agricultural value chain, communicate with others efficiently, establish and maintain business relationships and manage the flow of goods and services amongst them,” he added.

Mr Yao-Dablu said smallholder farmers in the Bono region would increase their yield and incomes, get market before production, learn about improved seed and fertilizer application, among other benefits from the digital platforms.

“These platforms also provide virtual marketplaces that allow smallholder farmers to save and borrow towards the purchase of discounted agricultural inputs through a mobile wallet for increased productivity and reduce food insecurity as well as poverty,”he pointed out.