Agricultural ministers from several African nations have called for the digitalization of the farming sector between 2025 and 2030 to address challenges related to risk management and distribution, particularly for smallholder farmers.
A Call for Digital Transformation
The proposal was presented at the Financing Smallholder Farmers in Africa conference held on March 17-18, 2025. Organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in collaboration with the Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO), the event focused on scaling finance for smallholder farmers across the continent.
Gambian Minister of Agriculture Demba Sabally stressed the importance of organizing smallholder farmers into associations to improve their access to financial resources. He highlighted digital platforms and farmer registration systems as essential tools for providing direct assistance. “Digitalization will eliminate intermediaries, whose activities often drive up costs for farmers,” he said.
Sabally noted that smallholder farmers make up 70% of Gambia’s workforce and contribute 30% to its GDP, underscoring their critical role in national food security. He urged greater collaboration between governments and financial institutions to ensure the success of digital agriculture initiatives.
Other Countries Echo the Need for Digitalization
Madagascar’s Minister of Agriculture, François Sergio Hajarison, supported the call for digital transformation, stating that 80% of Madagascar’s population depends on agriculture, with 90% classified as small family farmers. He emphasized that digital tools could help mitigate risks and improve the distribution of agricultural inputs.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s Agricultural Minister, Alexander Nuetah, highlighted financial literacy as a major obstacle preventing farmers from accessing loans. “The majority of our farmers lack financial know-how, making financial institutions hesitant to provide funding,” he explained.
To address these challenges, Liberia plans to establish a mechanization center where farmers can access equipment with government support. The country is also working to digitalize agricultural operations and strengthen partnerships with development organizations.
Collaboration for Sustainable Agricultural Growth
The ministers stressed the importance of cooperation between governments, financial institutions, and the private sector in driving agricultural digitalization. By leveraging technology, African nations can improve efficiency, enhance financial access, and empower smallholder farmers to contribute more significantly to economic growth and food security.
