Embrace technology, farmers told

Commercial farmers should embed technology in their activities before it is too late for them to accrue maximum profits from the available innovation, an IT consultant has advised.
Speaking at the 8th East Africa blockchain and Cyber Security conference, Mr Edgar Kawanguzi, an IT consultant, said it’s high time local farmers embraced modern technology in agriculture.

Mr Kawanguzi who is currently working towards applying technology at FACOM, founded in 2006 with the mission to promote commercial farming through advising and encouraging local production in Uganda, urged farmers to consider applying blockchain technology in agriculture, describing it as not only a safe innovation but also stressed that it is where the future is headed.
Blockchain is an incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions that can be programmed to record not just financial transactions but virtually everything of value, according to Don and Alex Tapscott, the authors of blockchain Revolution (2016).

“With blockchain you don’t need intermediaries or the middlemen. This makes a lot of sense to a farmer because it reduces costs,” Mr Kawanguzi said in his presentation last week at International University of East Africa, the host of the conference.
He continued: “Blockchain can be applied in agricultural supply chain. With it you can know everybody involved in the value chain and their specific roles. So you can be able to trace anything backward with this technology. You will with certainty get to know where the food on your plate originates.”

IUEA supports technology
The conference’s host, Dr Emeka Akaezuwa, who is also the Vice Chancellor of International University of East Africa, noted that technology is no longer avoidable in whatever activities.
He hasten to say that future businesses will be dictated by digital technology, arguing that the signs are already evident.
And for that, as a university they’re already preparing their students for that experience—digital transaction, or else they could be rendered uncompetitive in a digitally competitive environment.

“We are at the forefront of blockchain technology. We want our students to find out as much as they can about this technology that is increasingly being adopted worldwide. It opens opportunity for farmers beyond their normal horizons,” Dr Akaezuwa said.
He continued: “So we are teaching our students this technology and at the same time encourage them to come up with ways on how it can be integrated and adopted into commerce here. We believe technology can help business expands. And we hope our students can have a mark in this area as well.”
Government pledge
According to government, commercialising agriculture will result into increased incomes of households, address the challenge of subsistence, and enhances agricultural productivity, as farmers integrate with agro-manufacturing industries.

Also, Integration between agriculture and manufacturing boosts the supply and reliability of agricultural raw materials for the industrial sector; creating jobs for non-farming communities. With application of technology such the blockchain this problem could be history.
However, government has committed between Shs30 billion to 40 billion to support scientists and technologist whose research and innovation have reached commercial stage, the minster of science, technology and innovation, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye said in an earlier interview.

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