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Transformation of subsistence farming in sub-Saharan Africa hinges on availability of new technologies to help farmers access credit, weather information and new markets, experts said at a forum in Nairobi on Tuesday.

According to experts, digital platforms hold key to unlock the potential of small-scale farming in Africa whose growth is constrained by climatic shocks, market volatility, under-funding and skills gap.

"Linking small-holder farmers to digital platforms will boost access to finance required purchasing inputs alongside information on weather and markets," said Andrew Karlyn, director of strategic learning at Mercy Corps.

He spoke on the sideline of the annual learning event organized by Mercy Corps to take stock of impact of its AgriFin Accelerate (AFA) program that seeks to address bottlenecks that hamper productivity at small-holder level.

The five-year program that is being implemented in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia aims to ensure that small-holder farmers have access to affordable financial products and services to enhance their productivity.