Evaluating the Mediating Role of Digital Technologies on the Nexus Between Climate Change and Agriculture in Africa
摘要
This chapter investigates the digital technological effects of climate change on agricultural productivity and how digital technologies shape the linkage between Africa’s agricultural output and climate change. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to study data from 52 African countries over the period 2004–2022. Results revealed that digital technologies mediate about 39% of the effect of climate change on agriculture, and the mediated effect is about 0.6 times larger than the direct effect. Such findings highlight how important digital technologies are in helping African agriculture withstand adverse climatic impacts. These results underscore the significance of digital technologies in assisting African agriculture to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. This study supports the strategic need for investments in digital solutions to improve agricultural resilience by proving that a large part of the effect is facilitated through these technologies. The findings will have an implication on policymakers, development organizations, and agricultural stakeholders striving to create a better and more productive sustainable agricultural sector in the context of climate change.