“For millennia, smallholder farmers have been a major part of crop production in Africa. Yet despite the considerable efforts made over the years by research institutes and investment programs to improve their agronomical practices — including plant population, health, growth, and fertilization (as well as harvesting, ease in loan accessibility, availability of improved seeds, and other growth enhancement inputs for smallholder farmers) — we are still unable to meet demand by relying solely on smallholder farmers.
Now is the moment to plan forward and put a sustainable system in place by making significant investments in mechanised farming. It really is costly, risky, and demands the utmost precision.
However, it is the only effective means of achieving shared wealth, sustainability, and food security in Africa. Africa’s future food security will undoubtedly be shaped by a combination of early smallholder farmer support and growing mechanised farming.
Note that the tractor performing the weeding operation in the video [above] is auto-driven and unmanned. What has this got to do with A.I? Another topic for another day.