Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and Representative to the AU and UNECA, has emphasized the critical role of technology and innovation in transforming Eastern Africa’s agriculture sector.
As the region steps into 2025, she highlights that it stands at a crossroads, facing immense opportunities alongside daunting challenges.
The representative explains that the subregion, comprising eight nations—Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda—is endowed with vast arable land, abundant livestock, fisheries, and rich biodiversity. These resources, she notes, form the foundation for agriculture-driven transformation capable of fostering economic growth.
However, she cautions that the subregion grapples with recurring challenges such as droughts, floods, pests, and conflicts, exacerbated by limited technological adoption. The representative reveals that in 2023, 10.7% of the global population—864 million people—faced severe food insecurity, with Africa accounting for 58% of these. In Eastern Africa, the figure rose by 50 million since 2019, with 63 million people experiencing acute food insecurity in 2024.
She asserts that technology and innovation are pivotal in addressing these challenges. The representative cites examples of how FAO initiatives have leveraged technology to support resilience:
She emphasizes that these technologies not only mitigate disasters but also drive sustainable practices, such as renewable energy adoption and innovative waste management systems, which protect ecosystems critical to agrifood systems.
The representative point out that Eastern Africa has a high prevalence of child stunting, which underscores the need for better nutrition. She argues that technology-enabled farming and food processing systems can improve access to nutritious foods, combating malnutrition and enhancing the well-being of future generations.
She also stresses the importance of empowering small-scale farmers, women, and youth through accessible, affordable, and context-specific technologies. Precision farming, agroforestry, and mobile-based early warning systems are identified as vital tools for building community resilience.
The representative remarks that Eastern Africa’s rapidly growing youth population, constituting 70% of the total, presents a significant opportunity for agricultural transformation. She observes that youth-led initiatives, such as mobile apps for agricultural advice, e-commerce platforms, and precision farming tools, are reshaping the sector.
Despite this potential, she laments the gaps in implementing supportive policies, such as the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Stronger efforts are needed, she adds, to translate policy frameworks into tangible outcomes that benefit the youth and rural communities.
The representative concludes by advocating for inclusive partnerships to drive agrifood system transformation. She stresses the need for rigorous analysis, data-driven policymaking, and collaborative efforts to achieve sustainable outcomes. “We all have a role to play in supporting the transformation of agrifood systems to benefit rural communities, youth, and women,” she asserts.
She reiterates FAO’s commitment to supporting Eastern Africa in harnessing technology and innovation for a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural future.