RAIL KNUST Advocates for a Collaborative and Inclusive Approach to Agriculture Advancement

The Ghana Digital Innovation Week 2023 celebrated Ghana’s digital innovation ecosystem, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s technological advancement. The panel discussion on “Artificial Intelligence for Precision Agriculture in Ghana” held at the Accra International Conference Centre on the 7^th of November, 2023, provided a platform for key stakeholders in agriculture, technology, and government to converge and explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of agriculture in Ghana.

Addressing the state of AI in the Ghanaian agricultural sector, Dr Eric Tchao Tutu, AI in Agriculture Thematic Lead and the Partnership Coordinator, Responsible AI Lab (RAIL), said RAIL has developed a Plant Disease Detector app which helps farmers in detecting and tracking crop pests and diseases, the app provides solutions to these diseases in the native languages of the farmers.  He highlighted the need to preserve and integrate the indigenous knowledge of older farmers into the evolving technological landscape.

“Instead of discarding traditional farming practices, the older generation’s wisdom should be considered and combined with technological advancements, fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to agricultural innovation,” he said.

He mentioned an ongoing training and research initiative that aims to integrate traditional farming methods into technological advancements seamlessly. He also highlighted the provision of grants to farmers to purchase machines and equipment, further promoting the adoption of modern agricultural practices.

Dr. Tutu shed light on the current challenges and opportunities surrounding the adoption of AI in Ghana’s agricultural sector. The insights shared during this panel discussion contribute to the ongoing dialogue on how technology can be harnessed to enhance agricultural productivity with inclusivity and sustainability.