Sowing the Seeds: The Influences of Cultural ‘Modernisation’ on Agriculture in East Africa
East Africa's agricultural sector is at a crossroads where traditional and modern challenges collide. Agriculture is an essential pillar of the region’s market, employing up to 80% of the population and accounting for 25% of gross-domestic product (GDP). However, global technological advancements, climate change, and persistent social inequities manifested in land governance have called for sustainable management of agricultural resources in the region. For centuries, land has been revered not only as a means of survival but also as a symbol of heritage and social cohesion. As East Africa and the rest of the world experience various social and cultural revolutions, could these changes hold insights on how to create more resilient agricultural systems and guide stakeholders in redefining this sector?
Tech-Savvy Inclinations
Advancements in technology have enabled farmers in the region to better cultivate the land and increase food production. For instance, in Kenya, Fahari Aviation 2022 started supplying drones to Kipkebe Limited, which sprays pesticides and fertiliser, lowering labour costs and minimising human error. These drones can cover over 3,000 acres of tea plantations in under two weeks, cutting fertiliser spraying costs by up to 50% and drastically reducing the time required for such tasks compared to traditional methods. Artificial intelligence (AI) is another technology that is steadily becoming more integrated into agricultural techniques by increasing crop yields and operational efficiency. For instance, Twiga Foods in Kenya uses an AI-driven chatbot-building platform which optimises the supply chain, reducing post-harvest losses from an estimated 30% to just 4%. As more farmers adopt these technologies, East Africa's agriculture stands to become more resilient and competitive, leading to long-term growth and sustainability.
While the shift towards a more technological society poses benefits to regional crop quality, farmers face prohibitively expensive costs for the adoption of certain innovations. Furthermore, the issue of poor digital literacy in low-income communities remains prevalent. Many farmers exhibit scepticism and mistrust towards technology and apprehension towards sharing the data with private companies and government agencies. Articles on digitisation in agriculture highlight that having the necessary skills to use mobile apps and other technology-based solutions is crucial. However, this is inhibited by the underdeveloped digital infrastructure in the region and exacerbated by poor internet connectivity and a lack of stable electricity. For example, despite Uganda having one of the highest internet penetration rates in East Africa at 29.1%, this is insufficient to support the growth of a more technology-driven agricultural sector.
Community Engagement
Globally, the growing prioritisation of the climate crisis has influenced regional strategies to mitigate the effects posed by harsher weather conditions. Zooming in on efforts to implement agroforestry techniques, the increasing appreciation of the importance of climate action can impact the agricultural industry positively. According to The Nature Conservancy (TNC), agroforestry has an 'untapped potential' as a 'natural climate solution.' This is showcased in Uganda's Isingiro district, where farmers gradually use extended dry spell adaption technologies (EDSATs) to cope with the region's arid conditions.
Notably, agroforestry, in general, has proven to be beneficial to the livelihoods of farmers. The fruits produced in agroforestry systems are crucial during food shortages, with approximately 146 tree species used for food. Furthermore, carbon sequestration in agroforestry enables households to have higher levels of income and mitigate the impacts of climate change, as seen in Nyamagabe district, Rwanda, where adapters of agroforestry experienced a 14% increase in household income compared to non-adapters.
Nonetheless, there is a general lack of capital and information, which continues to undermine the adoption of agroforestry and other climate-friendly solutions. For example, in regions such as Bududa, Uganda, the excessive use of fertilisers has resulted in chemical stress on farmland. This resulted in a decline in crop quality with the lack of adequate counter-mechanisms preventing success in agroforestry schemes.
Another issue plaguing farmers is the perception that cash crops have a much faster return, and they, therefore, neglect to invest in regenerative farming strategies. Although the net present value (NPV) of rotational woodlots (a small area of trees that can be used as fuel or to provide wood for building things) in places like Tanzania is 6.3 times higher than that of maize-fallow systems, the lure of faster returns affects regenerative farming adoption rates.
Shifting Attitudes Towards Disenfranchised Groups
In light of a growingly inclusive world, significant strides have been made in East Africa to promote the rights of marginalised groups in society and the workplace. In countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, localised policies on women's land rights have started to shape more equitable outcomes. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recognises that improvements in women's land rights could decrease food insecurity by 12 to 17%.
Additionally, there is an increasing understanding of disability as a fundamental human rights issue. Many countries have ratified the United Nations Convention on Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), explicitly including people with disabilities (PWDs) in policy frameworks. Examples include initiatives that reflect the growing regard for PWDs, such as AgriAbility for Africa, an organisation focused on providing free training in low-cost assistive technologies, peer support programs and many more services to PWDs.
Despite progress in some areas, women and other marginalised groups in East Africa face persistent struggles. In much of Africa, less than 10% of landowners are women, even though 70 to 80% of all wealth in Africa is generated through land.
Furthermore, ethnicity remains a large determining factor in access to land and agricultural resources. For instance, the Wachagga ethnic group of Tanzania has historically benefited from a favourable land tenure system. In contrast, migrant communities and disenfranchised tribes such as the Wapare, often deal with insecure land tenure arrangements. Additionally, a study done in the Acholi region of Uganda found that PWDs are 'regarded as evil’ and cannot 'utilise land.' Despite reforms and initiatives, PWDs continue to face obstacles in accessing agricultural resources. This demonstrates how, when confronted with modernity that necessitates greater inclusivity, East Africa must come to terms with tribal favouritism in the agriculture sector.
Interventions
A promising solution to overcoming barriers in adopting technological shifts is using innovative technologies like TV white space (TVWS), as implemented by Microsoft during their Airband Initiative in Colombia. TVWS utilises unused broadcast TV frequencies to provide long-range, cost-effective internet access, making it particularly valuable in rural and hard-to-reach regions. This initiative has successfully extended broadband access to 6 million rural Colombians.
To counter digital illiteracy, the region could borrow strategies from India with their implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA), a digital literacy scheme targeting at least one person from every rural household which involved setting up training centres in rural areas. Estimates reveal 63,941,718 were trained and 47,836,186 were certified over two years, thus proving the efficiency of such an initiative.
To combat the issues regarding the implementation of climate-sensitive farming practices, governments should provide financial incentives for farmers through developing and expanding initiatives like the International Small Group Tree Planting Program (TIST), which enable them to partake in carbon credit schemes and improve their access to agroforestry related products.
To address gender inequality, India deployed the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), which includes gender forums and a social action committee (SAC) at the village level, cluster level federation (CLF), and gender resource centre (GRC) at sub-district level. This program has led to an 8.4% rise in homes transitioning to the cultivation of high-value crops through efforts among women, indicating a move toward more profitable agricultural activities.
Concerning ethnic group favouritism, the region could focus on implementing strategies that allow indigenous groups to retain control over their territories, as seen in Indonesia’s Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM). It is essential to recognise the unique circumstances of indigenous groups. Mediation and the development and implementation of fairer laws governing land ownership and transfers are needed to ensure equitable land redistribution and prevent exploitation.
Lastly, in assisting PWDs, governments could issue mandates on commercial farms to employ PWDs. In Chile, the labour inclusion law mandates that companies with 200 or more employees must ensure that at least 1% of their workforce consists of PWDs. By 2018, the law had led to a 15.8% increase in the employment of PWDs, illustrating the potential effectiveness of quotas.
Conclusion
East Africa’s agricultural sector is evolving under the pressure of modernisation with advancements in technology to improve productivity. However, challenges such as high costs, low digital literacy, and poor infrastructure prevent the widespread adoption of these innovations. As views on climate change shift, agroforestry is on the rise, contributing to environmental and food sustainability. Policies focused on land reform, inclusion, and technology-driven solutions should be prioritised to ensure that potential within the agricultural sector is maximised.