Kosmos, Meltwater encourage innovative technology
Expired and fake agro-chemicals are major hindrances to ensuring an effective agricultural practice in this country and across the continent but mobile phone-based ways to detect and abate the negative impact of such chemicals are expected to be operational in the near future.
Other innovative technology solutions to help improve the agricultural sector cropped up during brainstorming sessions at the recently held AgriTech Exchange in Accra.
The proposed solutions included a smartphone application (App) to monitor fertilizer and seed distribution and an SMS and web-enabled system that provides financial analysis and investor matching for smallholder farmers.
The AgriTech Exchange was hosted by the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), a social investment programme initiated by Kosmos Energy, an oil and gas exploration and production company, in partnership with the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) in Accra.
The exchange consisted of a series of highly interactive and informative brainstorming sessions intended to help young MEST entrepreneurs build the foundation of commercially viable and agriculture-friendly technology companies.
The event brought together a mix of Ghanaian agribusiness representatives, local technology specialists, young entrepreneurs from MEST and a group of senior mentors to spur technology innovations designed to address the needs of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The AgriTech Exchange introduced participants to some of the latest technological innovations by companies like Esoko, Vodafone Ghana, Airtel Ghana, Farmerline and HNI that have been created with the needs of agriculturalists in Ghana in mind.
Participants also gained insight into the challenges faced by Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Key stakeholders at the exchange identified and prioritised a number of areas as the most pressing needs across Ghana’s agricultural value chain.
These included improving access to certified agricultural inputs, improving access to technical and market information for farmers, creating effective channels to market agricultural products and connecting farmers to appropriate sources of financing.
In the coming months, KIC and MEST will work with the young entrepreneurs to refine these concepts and others into viable businesses through a series of mentoring, coaching and market research activities.
