“The use of ICT helps farmers to decide when to harvest; when to weigh produce in the field, when to send and receive payments, monitor produce during transportation and storage, improve transport, wholesale and retail logistics; and upgrade management efficiency,” she explained.

Mrs Yankey said this in Accra on the third day of the 68th Annual New Year School and Conference, which is on the theme: “ Promoting National Development Through Agricultural Modernisation: The Role of ICT.”

She also urged the Government to develop digital literacy programmes for young farmers and agri-business, as well as to strengthen ICT incorporation into agricultural curricula for sustainable development.

Commenting on the topic: “E-Agriculture and the Youth,” Mrs Yankey said there was the need for the Government to support youth innovation and entrepreneurship in e-agriculture because the sector had evolved into technological advancement.

She said the use of ICT in today’s agricultural practices could not be overemphasised because it could be used to carry out soil tests, to apply fertiliser, receive extension advice and weather forecasts, monitor pests and diseases and make marketing decisions.

She, therefore, advocated the inclusion of ICT into the Youth in Agriculture; and Gender in Agriculture policies of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to address the problem of limited ICT infrastructure and illiteracy in rural communities.

She urged the Government to focus on decisions that would nurture and develop better partnerships to strengthen the role of young men and women in ICT initiatives and improve the impact of ICT in the sector.

Mrs Yankey appealed to the youth to take agriculture as a business to serve as security for the country’s economic survival and development.

She called on the traditional rulers and landowners to release large tracts of land to the youth in their communities for farming purposes.