AI Revolutionizing Farming in Africa, Boosting Yields

Summary

• Farmers in Africa, led by Romaric Nebnoma Tiendrebeogo, are experiencing increased crop yields with the help of new AI tools from PlantVillage. The app, developed by Penn State University, aids in identifying crop issues and making informed decisions.

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Romaric Nebnoma Tiendrebeogo and fellow farmers across Africa are witnessing remarkable boosts in their crop yields, all thanks to cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools.

Tiendrebeogo, hailing from Burkina Faso, utilizes a smartphone application that enables him to snap photos of distressed crops and swiftly identify the pests, diseases, or other issues endangering his harvest. Developed by PlantVillage at Penn State University, this innovative app harnesses AI technology to cross-reference farmers’ crop images with a vast database encompassing over 100,000 plants and diseases.

PlantVillage operates under the umbrella of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Current and Emerging Threats to Crops.

This application not only assists farmers in nurturing robust crops but also facilitates informed decisions regarding pesticides and fertilizers, thereby enhancing their profitability while promoting environmental sustainability.

Tiendrebeogo reveals that farmers utilize the app across a spectrum of crops, including cabbage, cassava, corn, onion, tomatoes, okra, and citrus. A survey conducted among approximately 100 users of the app indicated a surge in yields by as much as 30%.

“In Burkina Faso, where agriculture serves as the backbone of our economy, the integration of this technology holds the promise of not only elevating agricultural productivity but also fortifying the resilience of our food system,” states Tiendrebeogo, who actively trains fellow farmers in the utilization of the PlantVillage app.

Enhancing agricultural productivity stands as a critical imperative in Africa, where over 280 million individuals suffer from food insufficiency. Globally, the burgeoning population, anticipated to reach 10 billion by 2050, is expected to trigger a 50% surge in food demand. Simultaneously, escalating floods and droughts pose threats to agricultural output worldwide.

Since 2021, the United States has channeled $17.5 billion toward alleviating acute food shortages and enhancing global food production. Collaborating with partners in Africa and Brazil, the U.S. government endeavors to adapt crops to withstand climate variations and enhance soil fertility.

Moreover, the U.S. private sector and academic institutions are increasingly leveraging AI to bolster global food security. Recently, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation allocated $30 million towards employing AI innovations to tackle health and developmental challenges in Africa.

“AIs hold the potential to facilitate the development of tailored seeds suited to local conditions, provide farmers with recommendations on optimal seed selection based on soil and weather dynamics, and contribute to the development of medications and vaccines for livestock,” asserts Gates.

Researchers at the University of Albany in New York have collaborated with the Accra-based nonprofit AGRI-WEB to empower farmers in Ghana with AI-driven tools for predicting crop yields accurately, thereby enhancing profits and ensuring a more dependable food supply.

PlantVillage has disseminated 53 smartphones to farmers in Malawi and conducts training sessions for farmers in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burkina Faso, among other countries. Additionally, it extends training to farmers in Honduras and Nepal for utilizing the application.

In addition to its diagnostic prowess powered by AI, PlantVillage technology furnishes weather forecasts to augment farmers’ decision-making capabilities. Furthermore, the research lab has supplied disease-resistant seeds to banana farmers.

PlantVillage also engages youth across Africa to train farmers within their communities in app utilization and monitor crop data to facilitate early detection of harvest threats.

The data amassed by farmers, coupled with their firsthand experiences, enriches the application’s database and extends support to farmers in diverse communities. “At present, Africa grapples with three pressing issues: food insecurity, climate change, and youth unemployment,” notes David Hughes, the mastermind behind the AI tool. PlantVillage emerges as a solution addressing “all three simultaneously.”

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