The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, in partnership with Afrika Wireless Tech, will launch the Farm-Smart Programme at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley on October 4.
THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, in partnership with Afrika Wireless Tech (AWT), will launch the Farm-Smart Programme at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley on October 4.
The programme is aimed at backyard farmers, small-scale farmers, emerging farmers and all those who are interested in agriculture.
Farm-Smart promises not only to capacitate farmers in the Northern Cape to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in their operations, but also has the potential to increase sustainable job creation and long-term food security.
MEC Mase Manopole explained that the Northern Cape currently contributes just 2.1% to South Africa’s GDP, which is the lowest in the country.
“What contributes to this factor is the fact that the Northern Cape exports raw materials and not finished products. This has been an obstacle created by the need for industries to adhere to certain legislative requirements, which has been a stumbling block for the small and emerging farmers,” said Manopole.
[ON AIR] How IoT and Tech Can Enhance Farming
Ms Phumla Mabisela – Managing Director and Shareholder at Afrika Wireless Tech#SAfmTheViewPoint with Songezo Mabece pic.twitter.com/Z8dSJEvt8c
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According to AWT’s Phumla Mabizela, the challenges faced by farmers in the Province include limited access to technology and knowledge, lack of infrastructure and the impact of climate change.
Mabizela added that many farmers may not be familiar with the potential benefits of AI and IoT, or lack the resources to invest in these technologies.
“Inadequate connectivity and infrastructure can also hinder the implementation of these solutions,” she said.
Mabizela added that climate change poses significant threats to agriculture, such as droughts and unpredictable weather patterns, which can disrupt farming activities.
“Farm-Smart aims to address these challenges by providing farmers with the necessary support, training, and technological resources to overcome these hurdles and achieve sustainable success,” said Phumla.
