Africa steps up drive to transform farming through mechanisation. (Image credit: FAO)

Africa has taken a major step towards closing its long standing agricultural mechanization gap as leaders, experts and development partners gathered in Dar es Salaam for the Africa Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization.

The event opened with the launch of Tanzania’s National Agricultural Mechanization Strategy 2026 to 2036, signalling a renewed continent wide push to modernise farming systems.

The strategy was unveiled by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mwigulu L. Nchemba, alongside FAO Deputy Director General Beth Bechdol. The conference is organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and hosted by the Tanzanian government, bringing together governments, private sector players, researchers, youth groups and farmers to share ideas and scale up solutions that work for Africa.

Opening the conference, Prime Minister Nchemba stressed that mechanization is no longer optional for the continent. “Through action, we can change Africa’s agriculture to be a mechanized sector that is sustainable, for this generation and future generations.” He noted that the new ten year plan aligns with the FAO African Union Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Africa and places women and young people at the centre of transformation.

FAO Deputy Director General Beth Bechdol said past approaches had failed because they focused on importing machinery without building the systems needed to support it. “Mechanization today cannot look like mechanization of the past. Shipping in large machines without financing, training, repair services, or local adaptation has not delivered lasting results. Africa does not need more equipment sitting idle. It needs systems that work,” she said. She added, “At FAO we see sustainable mechanization as a catalyst for transformation not as machines replacing people, but tools empowering people, reducing back breaking labour and creating space for women to farm more productively.”

African Union Commissioner Moses Vilakati highlighted the human dimension of the agenda, saying, “Our mechanization agenda is also a dignity agenda.”

Africa still relies heavily on manual and animal labour despite holding around half of the world’s uncultivated arable land. Crop yields remain well below global averages, even though agriculture supports the majority of livelihoods. Sustainable mechanization is seen as key to boosting productivity, creating skilled jobs and supporting climate smart farming.

FAO Regional Representative Abebe Haile Gabriel said, “Choosing a new direction that embraces mechanization, digitalization, scientific innovation and inclusive policies can fundamentally transform Africa’s agrifood landscape.”

The conference will also spotlight youth employment, digital tools such as machinery hire platforms and drones, and innovative financing, as FAO reaffirms its commitment to support African countries in building a modern and resilient agricultural future.

GrainMate stands out as an affordable and user-friendly solution with a measurable impact on food systems.(Image credit: Sesi Technologies)

The GrainMate Grain Moisture Meter is a compact, handheld agricultural innovation developed to help farmers, grain traders, feed manufacturers and aggregators accurately assess grain moisture levels before storage, processing or sale.

Moisture management plays a vital role in modern agriculture, as excessive moisture in harvested grain can result in post-harvest losses, mould development and aflatoxin contamination, all of which threaten food safety, grain quality and farm profitability.

Created by Sesi Technologies in Ghana, GrainMate reflects a growing push towards climate-smart and climate-resilient agricultural technologies tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses across Africa. The device is already widely adopted across sub-Saharan Africa, where thousands of users rely on it to take fast and reliable moisture readings across multiple grain types.

Traditionally, farmers have depended on manual and inaccurate methods—such as biting grains or visual inspection—to judge dryness. GrainMate modernises this process by delivering instant digital readings of moisture, temperature and humidity via a clear LCD display. This allows users to make informed decisions in seconds rather than relying on guesswork. The device currently supports seven major commodities, including maize, rice, soybeans, sorghum, millet, groundnut and wheat, with scope for future expansion.

Designed for field and market use, the GrainMate Moisture Meter is simple and durable. Users insert the robust aluminium probe into a grain sample, select the appropriate crop setting, and press a button to receive accurate results. The meter is battery-powered, operating on just two AA batteries, and includes features such as adjustable calibration, a backlit screen for low-light environments, audible alerts and intelligent power management to conserve energy.

GrainMate directly addresses key agricultural challenges, particularly in regions facing high humidity, variable temperatures and limited access to drying infrastructure. By delivering fast, reliable moisture data, the technology helps reduce spoilage, improve storage outcomes and enhance price negotiations at markets.

Overall, GrainMate stands out as an affordable, user-friendly solution with a measurable impact on food systems, empowering both smallholders and commercial operators to reduce losses, protect grain quality and strengthen food security throughout the agricultural value chain.

These wireless temperature and humidity sensors are ideal for a wide range of uses. (Image credit: MultiTech )

MultiTech Wireless Air Temperature and Humidity Sensors are advanced, long-range IoT devices designed for precision environmental monitoring using the LoRaWAN wireless standard.

These innovative sensors use airflow to accurately measure temperature and humidity levels, and they automatically send alerts over the network when readings rise above or fall below preset thresholds, ensuring timely action for critical applications.

Features & Durability:

Equipped with a fully integrated internal antenna and two types of tamper detection enclosure tamper (detects if the sensor housing is opened) and wall mount tamper (detects removal from mounting) these sensors provide robust security. They support over 200,000 transmissions on a single battery, with an expected lifespan of 5 to 10 years depending on usage. Over-the-air configuration allows flexible in-field setup, while automatic low battery reporting and supervisory messages keep users informed.

Applications:

These wireless temperature and humidity sensors are ideal for a wide range of uses, including industrial temperature monitoring, detecting freezing temperatures to protect plumbing, monitoring cooling system failures, ensuring restaurant food safety, and monitoring heat conditions in second homes or remote buildings. Their open architecture allows seamless integration into existing IoT platforms, making them a cost-effective and scalable solution for businesses, smart buildings, and industrial environments.

Key Benefits:

Long-range wireless connectivity, low maintenance, customisable design, and reliable performance make MultiTech sensors essential tools for proactive environmental management. They empower users to monitor conditions in real time, reduce operational risks, and ensure safety and efficiency across multiple settings.

Agri-IoT Leaf Temperature and Humidity Sensor into modern farming practices (Image credit: Agri-Tech)

Agri-IoT (Africa) has developed an innovative Leaf Temperature and Humidity Sensor designed to monitor plant health and stress.

This sensor is part of Agri-IoT’s growing suite of smart farming solutions, tailored specifically to support African farmers in optimising crop growth and sustainability.

Functionality:

The sensor accurately tracks leaf temperature and humidity, providing critical insights into plant health. By detecting water stress and offering early warnings for potential diseases or pest infestations, it empowers farmers to make informed decisions on irrigation, disease management, and crop protection. Such precise monitoring promotes sustainable agricultural practices and enhances farm productivity.

Design & Durability:

Engineered to mimic the surface of a real leaf, the sensor ensures accurate readings that reflect true plant physiology. Its robust and waterproof design, often IP67 rated, guarantees reliable performance even in harsh outdoor conditions, making it a durable solution for diverse African climates.

Data Access & Connectivity:

Collected data is transmitted to a cloud platform and is accessible through a user-friendly web-based dashboard, allowing farmers to monitor conditions remotely in real time. This IoT-enabled approach offers actionable insights, enabling proactive decision-making and improving crop yield and quality.

By integrating the Agri-IoT Leaf Temperature and Humidity Sensor into modern farming practices, African farmers gain a powerful tool for smarter, data-driven agriculture, supporting precision farming, crop sustainability, and resilient food production systems.