Need for farmers’ digital skills
What you need to know:
It further states that often farmers growing the same crop in a given area get confronted by common challenges about which they can exchange information and for which they need technical assistance
Michael J. Ssali
When we speak about increasing agricultural production often what comes to mind is equipping farmers with more skills and technologies in crop and animal husbandry.
We want our agricultural research scientists to come up with solutions to the emerging agricultural challenges related to climate change, poverty reduction, and the demand for food to feed a rapidly growing population.
Hardly do we give any thought to the use of information communication technology (ICT) to improve agricultural production.
My attention has been drawn to a recent study report titled: “State of Information Communications Technology (ICT) for Agricultural Innovations in Uganda 2019” written by Prof Jude Lubega of Uganda Technology and Management University, and Dr Drake Mirembe of Makerere University, Kampala, which emphasises the importance of equipping farmers with computer skills for them to quickly receive and transmit the needed information to boost agricultural production.
In this digital era, it is futile to expect big progress in agriculture when majority of our farmers cannot use a smartphone to get the latest information about their occupation.
It is written in the report, “In many developing countries, including Uganda, there is a demonstrable need for a new revolution that will bring lower prices for consumers through the use of smart agriculture --- Agriculture that depends on ICT innovations to effectively and efficiently provide consumers with the necessary agriculture resources.”
It further states that often farmers growing the same crop in a given area get confronted by common challenges about which they can exchange information and for which they need technical assistance. The use of digital platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, email etc can help quickly spread information and possibly quick solutions.
If it is a new crop disease farmers may take photographs and circulate them amongst themselves and the agricultural extension officers can quickly send out helpful information regarding the problem. In this Covid-19 pandemic, it has been a big challenge for agricultural services extension officers to hold large farmers meetings.
Yet digital devices such as smartphones could be used to spread most of the information without farmers having to leave their homes.
