Ten young innovators have been awarded $7,400 in grants to scale up clean, affordable, time-saving, labour and energy saving agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers.
They emerged from previous 30 shortlisted applicants under the United Nations University, Institute for Natural Resources in Africa’s (UNU INRA) Innovate for Clean Agricultural Technologies’ (INFoCAT), an initiative that seeks to harness innovation solutions to support the development simple technologies to reduce drudgery long of the agric value chain.
Awardees included iSOLAR, innovators of a smart solar-powered irrigation system that leverages solar energy for efficient irrigation, Harvest Ease, an organisation focused on agricultural mechanisation and small harvesters, and Sunify Solar Dry Technology, a startup specialising in grain and seed drying, using mobile solar mechanical dryers.
SAYeTECH, which produces smart post-harvest agricultural machines, Das Biogas, focused on sustainable energy solutions that addresses both waste management and energy needs, and Hormeku-Massis Enterprise, a firm specialising in the production of machines for agriculural produce.
INFoCAT is sponsored by International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. The project is being implemented in 3 countries: Ghana, Senegal (Partner: Enda Energie) and Côte d’Ivoire (Partner: UNU-INRA Operating Unit).
Dr Ferdinand Tornyie, INFoCAT Project Coordinator, who was speaking at the ceremony to award the innovators in Accra, said mechanisation was crucial to the growth of the agriculture value chain just as keeping emissions low to protect the planet.
He noted that women spent so much time completing agricultural tasks, hence the need to empower them by providing knowledge, funding, and mentorship to support them.
Dr Tornyie explained that bridging the gender gap in clean technology development and subsequently alleviating poverty would contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.
“Women, especially those in the field of agricultural production and processing, go through so many stress challenges. Our aim is to help ameliorate their suffering, fast-track their activities and empower them economically,” he said.
Professor Chris Gordon, an Environmental Scientist, with special interests in the biodiversity and functioning of coastal, wetland and freshwater systems, encouraged the awardees to consider working together to achieve much impact.
Considering the global agenda to transition to a low-carbon economy, it is critical for Africa to ensure inclusive energy transition processes in order to enhance sustainable economic growth.
Studies indicate that almost 50 per cent of the agricultural labour force are women, who contribute significantly to developing countries’ agricultural and rural economies.
The lack of access to clean energy poses a persistent challenge for smallholder rural agriculture production, post-harvest activities, and agro-processing.
This energy constraint hampers the sector’s potential contribution to economic development and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Addressing the clean energy and technology requirements of smallholder farmers, he indicated that is crucial for achieving a just transition and unlocking their full potential.
Supporting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), particularly, women-led clean technology innovators, through technical and financial assistance is essential. This approach promotes innovation and addresses the existing gender gap in clean technology development. -GNA
