Experts have underscored the need for decisive action to make climate – smart agriculture and digital innovation the foundation of Africa’s growth model.
Speaking during the EU-COMESA Connect Forum at the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC), the stakeholders argued in order to achieve food security, export competitiveness and sustainable economic transformation across the COMESA region, member states must adopt climate smart agriculture and scale up digital innovation.
Debra Mallowah, Head of Africa, Bayer noted that, despite Africa having some of the world’s most fertile soils, abundant labour, and entrepreneurial farmers, COMESA member states continue to import billions of dollars’ worth of food every year.
“If we do not change course, rising populations and climate shocks will deepen our dependency,” said Mallowah, emphasizing the urgency of adopting climate-smart and digital innovation.
“We have to treat climate-smart agriculture and digital innovation not just as something extra we are doing, but as the foundation of Africa’s growth model. That is the fastest route to food security and export competitiveness.”
Mallowah explained that climate-smart agriculture involves hands-on innovations farmers can use immediately including drought-tolerant and climate-resilient seeds, precision agriculture, integrated pest management, and regenerative practices such as crop rotation and minimum tillage to restore soil health and carbon balance.
“These solutions are not about the future they are already in use in many countries, delivering higher yields and lowering environmental impact,” she said.
Digital tools as “the great equalizer”
She highlighted the role of digital tools as “the great equalizer,” noting that through mobile apps, SMS, and voice systems, farmers can now access real-time weather data, market information, agronomic advice, and input financing.
To accelerate progress, she called for decisive government action, including the right incentives such as subsidies, tax reliefs, and grants for agritech startups, as well as stronger public–private partnerships to scale innovations, expand credit and risk protection, and harmonize regional policies.
“The private sector must play an active role in unlocking food security rather than relying on aid. We must move from being passive participants to active drivers of agricultural transformation,” she added.
To achieve sustainable trade, the experts called for the digital revolution noting that it is essential.
They noted that blockchain-enabled traceability systems now provide end-to-end transparency in agricultural supply chains, allowing farmers and MSMEs to verify the origin, quality, and sustainability of products.
John Mwendwa, of Kenya Trade and Investment Opportunity, echoed the call for de-risking trade and deepening integration under initiatives such as ITIDI @25, stressing that investment-friendly environments are key to enabling agritech innovation and MSME growth.
Stephen Muchiri, CEO of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), underscored the importance of cooperatives and digital platforms in improving farmer resilience noting that extension officers play a pivotal role in helping farmers integrate.
“Apart from extension officers, cooperatives play a vital role in helping farmers integrate and strengthen their bargaining power,” he said. “Our Federation has built an e-Granary to reduce transaction costs, but fragmentation of digital tools remains a challenge.”
Muchiri urged East African heads of state to assent to the EAC Farmers Bill, which he said would provide the legal framework for strengthening farmer organisations and enhancing access to digital services.
He noted that 23 percent of COMESA farmers currently have access to extension services, and that post-harvest losses remain between 30 and 40 percent due to inadequate storage and processing infrastructure.
Lucy Komen-Chief Executive Officer, Warehouse Receipt System called for harmonization of warehouse receipt systems to cut losses and boost food security.
“We are calling for more investment in digital warehouses and harmonized warehouse receipt systems to cut losses and boost food security,” she said, adding that these measures could help unlock over 300,000 jobs and benefit more than 6.7 million farmers across the region.
The experts remarked that the adoption and effective use of these digital technologies will have a huge impact on the future of agriculture.
