Demand for food in Africa is set to dramatically increase over the next 30 years, with the continent’s population predicted to double to over 2.2 billion by 2050. Foodtech and agtech, in all of its forms, has an important role to play in increasing production to match the increasing demand.
Our insights draw from our deep agrifood value chain experience
Agricultural yields in Africa are currently sitting at around one quarter of the global average. Although foodtech is essential to improving the situation, adoption in the developing world is evolving more slowly than in other geographies. Reasons include smallholders with shortages of capital, poor rates of literacy and the dominance of mobile phone production.
It is vital that efforts to increase the use of farming technologies do not simultaneously destroy the jobs and incomes on which large proportions of African populations depend.
There are also concerns that agricultural technologies may push farmers towards more chemically based farming systems, which, although providing short-term yield increase, deplete and degrade soils over longer periods of time.
Judicious use of agricultural technologies can have the opposite effect, by minimising and optimising the amount of chemicals used.
Foodtech experts
To feed a rapidly growing population, agricultural production in Africa must modernise, however limited access to capital and technology has significantly slowed progress in this area. At Farrelly Mitchell, we are committed to the modernisation and industrialisation of underdeveloped agricultural regions.
Our team has a deep understanding of the challenges faced in Africa, and an unwavering commitment to solving them. We work with both public and private industry stakeholders to build capacity, design developmental programs, conduct impact evaluation and monitoring, and design enabling policy and regulations. Contact us today to discover how we can help you create a more sustainable and productive Africa.
