Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
11 April 2023 | 19:48 CAT

Photo credit: Edge Solutions

The agritech industry reached its peak during the pandemic. It was lauded for being one of the most resilient sectors. The pace of digitization in the sector also accelerated to a great extent. The digital transformations further won the trust of potential investors, which put the sector on an upward growth trajectory.

Experts opine that in 2022, while the pandemic mercifully retreated to the background, the necessity for agri-foodtech innovations stood firm.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Forbes Africa’s top 100 icons, and Women in AI SA Ambassador amongst her accolades, Dr Natalie Raphil explains the benefits of the implementation of AI and Tech into agriculture is the intelligence to assist with precision farming.

Dr Raphil said that precision farming and satellite imagery forecast rainfall to protect crops, the ground and plants after or just before the rains end.

Specific to farmland and crops, readings of water below the ground level and so forth would reduce waste and improve efficiency and productivity.

Meanwhile, 80/of young people are adverse to the agriculture sector, with only 20/ of the youth interested. The average farmer age in South Africa is 62 years and older.

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam’s podcast.