My last blog ‘Mobile Technology and Agriculture’, focused on potential benefits to be derived from the application of mobile technology in the agricultural sector. I mentioned agricultural extension services, financing and insurance services as areas likely to be benefit.  As also indicated in my last blog, my next few posts will focus on debates surrounding concerns about the application of mobile technology in agriculture. This blog is about the perceived threats of technology application in the sector.  The question is – will the application of mobile technology in key national value chains in developing countries be the panacea to unlocking the potential of those value chains for greater socio-economic development?

Recent discussions with officials from Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire in the cocoa sector, as well as other industry players working to introduce technology into cocoa production, vividly illustrate some of these fears.

In both countries, the key questions asked when one introduces the issue of technology in cocoa production are:

• Who will be in charge of the database?
• How do we ensure that data collected is not shared outside organisations mandated to handle the crop in the country?
• How do we ensure that data is not used against us in a way that will affect our exports and income?

These concerns are legitimate, when you consider the fact that for some developing countries, one or two agricultural commodities contribute most to agricultural exports and agricultural GDP.  Of course, a lot of useful data can be collected via mobile platforms to support key areas including pest and disease surveillance, number of farmers producing particular crops, and their locations. These platforms can also be used to improve traceability in the production system, collect data to gauge production levels and expected yield in any particular year.

Information is key and has an impact on demand and supply and ultimately prices. For countries exporting major agricultural commodities such as cocoa and coffee, and also participating in international markets where information has significant impact on price, these perceived fears cannot be ignored. However, for GSMA and other entities promoting the use of technology in agriculture, it raises a major issue:  to what extent do we understand and are addressing the concerns of countries and organisations in adopting technology in the agricultural sector?

We need to begin tackling issues such as:

• Managing data  – how do we ensure that data is collected and is used in the most appropriate ways possible?
• Using data – helping countries and entities understand, collect and utilise data through mobile agricultural programmes
• Awareness  – increasing awareness about the potential of mobile agricultural platforms for the overall support of the agricultural sector

Over time, it is expected that some of these perceived and real fears hindering the adoption of mobile technology in the agricultural sector, particularly for key national value chains will fade with increased adoption and awareness of the potential of technology in increasing productivity. Until there is widespread adoption of mobile technology in agriculture, there is the need for more education and support for countries and organisations adopting or considering the adoption of technology in agriculture.