Business
ICT Can Boost Rural Productivity – Expert
The President, Nigeria Internet
Group (NIG), Mr Bayo Banjo, on Thursday urged farmers and rural dwellers, to explore the benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), to boost their productivity.
He told newsmen in Lagos that technology directly contributes about seven per cent to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“This is because in Africa, mobile phones give people access to services that are available in traditional forms in the developed world, such as financial services, newspapers, games and entertainment.
“So the value of mobile phones is higher in Africa than elsewhere. This advantage can tremendously transform the agricultural landscape, if purposefully exploited,” he said.
Banjo said lack of reliable information was one of the main challenges faced by African farmers, and mobile communication technology could address the problem..
“Mobile communication technology can address the information asymmetry that exists, where farmers are frequently disadvantaged price-takers, often selling at a loss,” he said.
Banjo said mobile communications technology could also assist African farmers in the area of agricultural insurance, which enabled farmers to be better equipped against unforeseen hazard.
“Crop insurance has long been used in developed countries to address uncertain weather conditions. Agricultural insurance has, however, traditionally not been available to most farmers in Africa.
“One example of how ICT is being used to provide better access to crop insurance for farmers, is the Kilimo Salama project in Kenya.
“Mobile communications technology plays a central role in agricultural insurance, because it is used for both registration of new policies, as well as for pay-outs,” he said.
Banjo also said that ICT could be used to improve irrigation efficiency and crop traceability.
“Using good irrigation techniques can increase the efficiency and profitability of crop production as much as hundredfold. The use of ICT can have a positive effect on irrigation efficiency,” he said.
Banjo said two projects from Egypt had been highlighted as examples of the successful use of ICT to improve irrigation.
“The first one is the government-backed integrated water resource management action plan, which is being implemented on more than 2,000 km2 of the Nile Delta.
“The second example is the Magrabi Farms area, that has been developed from actual desert, to the 8,500 acres that are now fully irrigated.
“These projects aim to improve irrigation and drainage, and increase the efficiency of irrigated agricultural water use and services,” he told The Tide source.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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