African countries urged to embrace technology to a...

African countries urged to embrace technology to achieve food security

Scientists attending the international conference on academic excellence for leadership transformation and innovation in Africa at Africa University in Mutare have said that embracing technology in agriculture in response to climate change will boost food security.

Artificial intelligence scientist Panashe Chiurunge said the use of technologies in agronomy enabled farmers to boost yields even from small pieces of land.

“As population increase outstrips the natural growth of agricultural crops, there is a need to embrace technology because it allows the farmers to produce sufficient quality crops on small pieces of land,” Chiurunge said.

The use of modern technologies in agriculture, the scientists noted, was key in protecting the environment as the farming methods minimised the destruction of natural resources.

Speaking at the same conference, Southern Utah University director of International Outreach, International Affairs, Lambert Pungu Okito said malnutrition was a serious threat children at school.

“Most children in Africa go to school without eating. This affects the as it reduces the intelligence quotient (IQ) of the child. Malnutrition is also a threat to adults as it has the potential to reduce the life cycle and immunity,” Okito said.

Okito also said emerging technologies also applied to the post-harvest protection of the crops.

In September, Sadc’s Food and Nutrition Security Committee said an estimated 55 million people are food insecure, and around 19 million children under five years are malnourished.