AI apps emerge as tool to fight climate-induced hunger

From the newsletter

Artificial intelligence (AI) is now playing a crucial role in tackling the root causes of hunger in Africa by providing scalable and sustainable methods to enhance agricultural productivity. They also optimise resource use and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Climate change has intensified food insecurity across the continent, resulting in lower immunity, slower physical development and even death.

• AI assists farmers in adapting to climate-induced droughts by offering real-time guidance on water and crop management, thereby lessening the effects of climate-related hunger.

• By using local languages, some AI tools enhance smallholder farmers’  resilience to hunger despite challenges such as limited connectivity.

More details

• The UlangiziAI chatbot, launched in February 2024, offers real-time, AI-powered agricultural advice in the local language Chichewa via WhatsApp in Malawi. Farmers can ask questions using text, voice notes, or photographs and receive answers based on the guidelines provided by Malawi’s Ministry of Agriculture. Since its pilot phase, over 4,000 questions have been processed, significantly reducing the time taken to address farmers' concerns.

• UlangiziAI utilises cloud technology to process queries and deliver accurate responses. It can transcribe and translate voice memos, diagnose crop diseases from images, and provide personalised advice. The success of the app has led to plans for expansion into Kenya, where it will be available in Swahili and other local languages.

• The PlantVillage Nuru app, developed by Penn State University and initially tested in Kenya and Tanzania, utilises AI to diagnose crop diseases and pests. Farmers receive real-time, customised recommendations to enhance yields, even in remote areas lacking internet access and where agricultural expertise is scarce. In Burkina Faso, users of the app have reported yield increases of up to 30%. By providing actionable insights, PlantVillage empowers smallholder farmers to address challenges such as low productivity and pest infestations, which significantly contribute to hunger.

• FarmShield is an AI-powered agricultural technology created by Synnefa to monitor open fields and greenhouses. Using sensors known as FarmSpears, it gathers data on soil moisture, temperature, air humidity, light intensity, and NPK nutrient levels. The system automatically adjusts irrigation, ventilation, and nutrient supply to ensure optimal growing conditions. Farmers can access real-time data via a dashboard, available through an app, web portal, or USSD, enabling them to manage their farms remotely.

• The Horn of Africa is grappling with severe hunger, with over 36 million people facing food insecurity due to consecutive failed rainy seasons from 2020 to 2023. Ethiopia has 2.2 million malnourished children, while Somalia's famine has resulted in 260,000 deaths, half of whom are young children. Food insecurity affects 21 million individuals across the region, with 3 million in emergency conditions. Climate change has exacerbated droughts, reduced rainfall, and dried up pastures, devastating agriculture and pushing millions into poverty.

• While these AI applications have the potential to significantly combat hunger in Africa by improving agricultural practices and food security, several key challenges must be addressed. Limited infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, hampers smallholder farmers' access to AI tools. Additionally, data gaps, privacy and security concerns associated with increased AI usage, a lack of technical expertise to effectively utilise these advanced technologies, and the need for equitable distribution of benefits pose significant hurdles to fully realising the potential of AI in agriculture.

Our take

• Private sector companies have an opportunity to invest in AI-driven agricultural solutions across Africa. By providing accessible AI tools, businesses can enhance agricultural productivity and address the urgent need for food security in regions such as the Horn of Africa. This market presents a clear demand for innovations that can scale and adapt to local conditions.

• Furthermore, AI's real-time data analysis capabilities empower farmers with actionable insights to improve yields and optimise resource use. Companies that develop or support these technologies will not only stimulate business growth but also play a crucial role in combating climate-induced hunger, thereby strengthening their brand as leaders in sustainability.

• Moreover, integrating AI into agriculture creates new revenue streams for private companies through partnerships, product expansion, and tech services. Businesses that concentrate on overcoming connectivity and infrastructure challenges can tap into a rapidly growing market, gaining a competitive advantage in a sector that is critical to Africa's future development.