Microsoft through its 4Afrika Initiative yesterday announced a new initiative to boost agriculture through technology.
The technology giant will partner with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to co-create technology solutions in agriculture as part of the initiative.
The partnership was announced at the African Green Revolution Forum in Accra, Ghana.
It is expected to support AGRA’s digital transformation efforts as it works to improve food security for 30 million farming households across 11 countries, including Kenya, by 2021.
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Through the partnership, Microsoft and AGRA will explore uses of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) in enabling data-driven, precision farming that increases farm productivity and profitability.
The partnership will also support farmers in adopting new technologies through digital training content as well as develop digital skills in agriculture through an internship programme.
Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that its Africa Development Centre would help to advance AI innovation in agriculture, including the expansion of FarmBeats.
Microsoft also supports a number of African agritech start-ups and companies, including SunCulture, Virtual City, N-Frndsand Twiga Foods.
“Agriculture is a priority sector of investment for us, not only because it sustains some 70 per cent of livelihoods, but because we believe technology can significantly contribute to the transformation of the sector,” said Regional Director of Microsoft 4Afrika Amrote Abdella.
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“Africa has a large number of farmers with varying farming practices. We believe technology can augment this knowledge to improve crop yields.”
According to AGRA, the biggest hurdle to increasing farmer productivity in Africa today is the continued use of outdated production technologies and practices.
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