AFRICA – Agricultural ministers from multiple African nations are advocating for the digital transformation of the sector between 2025 and 2030 to tackle challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the region.
This strategic proposal was unveiled during the Financing Smallholder Farmers in Africa conference held on March 17-18, 2025, under the theme “Scaling Finance for Smallholder Farmers in Africa.”
The Gambian Minister of Agriculture emphasized the necessity of organizing smallholder farmers into associations to enhance their access to financial resources. He highlighted that advancing the digital landscape will help eliminate intermediaries, leading to reduced financial burdens on farmers.
Smallholder farmers constitute 70 percent of Gambia’s workforce and contribute significantly to the nation’s GDP, underscoring their critical role in ensuring food security. The minister called for stronger collaborations with financial institutions to support the effective implementation of these digital initiatives.
The Minister of Agriculture from Madagascar echoed these sentiments, pointing out that digital solutions could resolve critical issues related to risk and the distribution of agricultural inputs. With 80 percent of Madagascar’s population relying on agriculture, the emphasis on digitalization is paramount for small family farmers.
Liberia’s agricultural minister addressed the challenge of financial literacy among farmers, identifying it as a primary obstacle in securing loans. He noted that many farmers lack the financial knowledge necessary for accessing funding, leading to hesitance from financial institutions.
Liberia is set to establish a mechanization center to provide farmers with access to necessary equipment, while also moving towards the digitalization of agricultural practices and enhancing partnerships with development entities.
The ministers collectively stressed the importance of collaboration among governments, financial institutions, and the private sector to uplift smallholder farmers across Africa.
