A general view shows the cityscape of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, January 29, 2017. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo
Addis Ababa: Ethiopia has launched a roadmap aimed at advancing its agriculture sector by promoting digital technology across rural communities.
The roadmap, dubbed the "Digital Agriculture Roadmap (DAR) 2025-2032," is set to improve the way farmers and herders engage with technology and digital services, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reported on Tuesday.
Speaking at the launch event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, Minister of Agriculture Girma Amente said the DAR is instrumental in modernizing agricultural data, providing market information and enhancing financial accessibility for farmers and pastoralists.
"This roadmap is not just a document; it is a lifeline for our farmers and herders. By integrating digital services into agriculture, we can significantly enhance productivity and improve livelihoods across the nation," Amente was quoted by the EBC as saying.
The vision of the DAR is to create a digitally advanced agricultural sector where farmers and pastoralists have access to real-time data and modern tools, as well as improved market linkages, to drive productivity, sustainability and food security.
Amente said that the roadmap also aligns with Ethiopia's broader Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, which has already begun yielding positive results in various sectors.
Central to the roadmap are 25 key areas where digital services can have a significant impact, including the digitalization of trade and market information, enhanced financial access for farmers, the establishment of robust market linkages, and improvements in agricultural extension and advisory services.
