Most businesses nowadays have an IT department to manage the technical side of their organization, with activities ranging from network and system administration to software development, and security. So, what exactly are these systems and why is digital technology important for businesses? Let's take a look.Definition of digital technology The definition of digital technology encompasses digital devices, systems, and resources that help create, store, and manage data. An important aspect of digital technology is information technology (IT) which refers to the use of computers to process data and information. Most businesses use digital technology nowadays to manage operations and processes and to enhance the customer journey. Importance of digital technology Consumer behavior is changing, from searching and sharing information to shopping for actual products. To adapt, companies must adopt digital technology to assist customers through their buying journey. Many businesses have a website and social media accounts to inform and educate customers about their products and services. A lot of them also accompany their brick-and-mortar business model with an eCommerce store to offer customers a more flexible shopping experience. Some innovative enterprises even make use of advanced technology like virtual reality and augmented reality to attract and engage their target groups. Companies also adopt digital technology to increase their profitability. Since one advantage of technology is limitless communication, companies can extend their reach beyond domestic boundaries and access millions of customers worldwide. Finally, digital transformation is not just important but a requirement for all modern businesses, as the majority of firms automate their processes, firms who refuse to make the change will lag behind and lose their competitive advantage. On the other hand, there are various incentives for companies to digitize. For example, production will run faster since machines are replacing humans in repetitive tasks. So, the coordination of corporate data in one system Allows everyone to work together more seamlessly. Digital technology examples in business Technology is widely used by businesses to manage internal processes and enhance customer experience. Digital Technology: Enterprise resource planning Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is the use of technology and software to manage the main processes of a business in real-time. It is part of business management software that allows companies to collect, store, monitor, and analyze data from various corporate activities. Benefits of ERP : Coordinate data from different departments to help the managers make better and more informed decisions. Create a central database for managers to check all the supply chain activities in one place. Disadvantages of ERP: Require a lot of time and resources to set up. Require a large number of workers to undergo training.

1. Digital technology to boost
agricultural output, improve
the food environment and
reduce malnutrition in Africa
Dr Susan Keino,
Moi University
susankeino@gmail.com

2. Introduction
 The SDGs adopted in 2015
 Global - 821million
 Africa - 277million
 A poorly structured food environment, compounded by insufficient
agricultural output has led to food insecurity and rise in the
number of malnourished people
 Over the years several strategies have been adopted in a bid to find
solutions to rising food insecurity and reduce the triple burden of
malnutrition
 SAP, MDGs and SDGS
 To achieve SDGS, improving performance of food system is central
In 2019 the food situation was
worse in Africa

3.  More than half of people living in Africa depend on agriculture for all or part of
their livelihood
 The number is high in some parts of Africa (70%) Biteye, 2016.
 Ending poverty and hunger by 2030 can only be achieved by making the food
system more robust, sustainable and resilient
 By transforming it from a major contributor to climate change into part of the solution
 World Bank identifies the need to expand digital opportunities to everyone
including farmers and agribusiness, as a away to improve food systems and
achieving the SDGs (World Bank 2019)

4. Coverage of digital solutions….
 In 2017 the number of mobile-phone connections were 747 million in Africa (75%
penetration rate); In some parts its 100%
 Evolving mobile technology has given rise to start-ups aimed at improving income
through agribusiness – ensuring food availability and accessibility
 In 2018, there were about 390 registered digital solutions - from 41 in 2012
 33 million small holder farmers and pastoralists or about 13% registered on a
mobile service for weather updates etc.

5. Digital technology for agriculture
and food security in Africa
 Techno-health – ICT-based solution to enhance early detection, timely reporting and
prompt response to health events in human and animal population in Africa
 In Sub Saharan Africa small holder farmers and pastoralists, estimated 33 million people
already registered with mobile phone-based service for weather updates, market
connections
 In Ethiopia, free 80-28 hotline is a farmer advisory service has been instrumental in
aligning services to local circumstances
 Kerimuribo et. al 2019.

6.  In Ghana Farmaline and AgroCenta use mobile and web technologies to
disseminate farmer advice,- weather forecasts, market information and financial
tips to farmers who are traditionally out of reach due to connectively
 Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform developed by KALRO – It provides
real-time and historical records of relevant weather variables including short-term
weather forecasts by county –farmers can plan and start planting on time to avoid
losses
 Farmdrive a Kenyan enterprise, connects unbanked and underserved smallholder
farmers to credit, while helping financial institutions cost-effectively increase their
agricultural loan portfolios.

7.  Ujuzikilimo also in Kenya uses big data to bring farmers together in a knowledge-based
community (Ekekwe, 2017)
 GeoFarmer tested in Ghana and Tanzania provide near real-time, two-way data flows
that can be used to monitor agricultural production systems, with interactive feedback
between users.
 M-pesa in Kenya developed by Safaricom and Vodafone allows traders, farmers and
consumers to transfer money and pay for services and goods
 M-shwari a service provided by m-pesa is a microfinance facility allowing farmers to
access credit and pay back with minimal interest.
 Kilimo salama scheme (safe agriculture) provides crop insurance to farmers using mpesa
 Sokohewani (‘market in the air’), sokoshambani aimed at linking farmers to market and
other services (Ehui, 2018)
SokoShambani
@SokoShambani
Meeting of farmers and buye

8. How can digital technologies improve
food environment and reduce
malnutrition in Africa?
 Digital technology need to improve production of nutritious crops for dietary
diversity
 Nutritious foods need to be available, accessible, affordable and acceptable (4As)
 Direct nutrition interventions need to be scaled up
 Eg. m-HEALTH,
 Improving nutrition outcomes requires building capacity of nutrition specialists
across Africa
 The Nutrition Society founded the eNutrition Academy (eNA)
 Facilitates shared learning and build capacity
 e-library of evidence for nutrition action (eLENA)
 List of nutrition interventions to help countries implement and scale up

9. Conclusion
 Digital solutions for agriculture are important if Africa is to feed itself in 2050
 Several digital start-ups and innovations have demonstrated a measurable impact
in improving – this need to be quantified
 Digital technology can also help;
 close the gender gap in agriculture
 Attract youth back to farming
 Increase in agricultural production alone will not lead to better food environment
and reduce malnutrition unless specific focus on nutritional outcomes is built into
agri-food related technologies
 Scale up direct nutrition interventions

10. ASANTE