Digital Agriculture Policies and Strategies for Innovations in the Agri-Food Systems—Cases of Five West African Countries

Jules Degila (), Frejus Ariel Kpedetin Sodedji, Hospice Gerard Gracias Avakoudjo, Souand Peace Gloria Tahi, Seton Calmette Ariane Houetohossou, Anne-Carole Honfoga, Ida Sèmévo Tognisse and Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo
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Jules Degila: Institut de Mathématiques et de Sciences Physiques, Porto-Novo 01 BP 613, Benin
Frejus Ariel Kpedetin Sodedji: Non-Timber Forest Products and Orphan Crops Species Research Unit, Laboratory of Applied Ecology (LEA), Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Cotonou 01 BP 526, Benin
Hospice Gerard Gracias Avakoudjo: Non-Timber Forest Products and Orphan Crops Species Research Unit, Laboratory of Applied Ecology (LEA), Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Cotonou 01 BP 526, Benin
Souand Peace Gloria Tahi: Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, Faculty of Agronomic, Cotonou 04 BP 1525, Benin
Seton Calmette Ariane Houetohossou: Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, Faculty of Agronomic, Cotonou 04 BP 1525, Benin
Anne-Carole Honfoga: URPHORAN, Laboratoire d’Electrotechnique, de Télécommunications et d’Informatique Appliquée LETIA, Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Cotonou 01 BP 526, Benin
Ida Sèmévo Tognisse: Institut de Mathématiques et de Sciences Physiques, Porto-Novo 01 BP 613, Benin
Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo: Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, Faculty of Agronomic, Cotonou 04 BP 1525, Benin

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-18

Abstract: The digital transformation of agriculture can support economic growth and food and nutrition security in Africa. The objectives of this study were to provide an overview of the status of digital agriculture in five West African countries, analyze their efforts in developing the enabling environment and innovations, and formulate recommendations based on the identified gaps for the effective transformation of the sector. For this purpose, a literature search was performed using various sources, including web pages and databases of national agricultural and digital transformation institutions and start-ups of the five target countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria) and regional/international institutions. The information retrieved was used for individual country and cross-country comparative analysis of the progress and propositions of feasible actions for improvements. The results showed increasing agri-digital initiatives in the five countries, which were grouped into seven categories based on their objectives. Steady progress was also observed in mobile internet adoption, despite the differences in deploying crucial infrastructure to promote digital agriculture. The mobile connectivity index (MCI) in all five countries is below 60. Nonetheless, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire demonstrated more efforts in internet and electricity access, especially in rural areas. Benin and Nigeria have developed separate documents depicting the roadmap for digital agriculture, while the other countries are working to create one or have it embedded in their national development plans. Similarities and specificities exist among countries for laws and processes protecting agri-digital innovators. To be competitive and self-reliant in the global e-economy, these countries must reposition themselves to accelerate changes in digital agriculture through effective governance and synergy of actions in different sectors and across nations.

Keywords: industrial revolution; digital; agriculture; smallholder farmers; innovations; Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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