Search our blog for articles and insights right here, just type your interest and dive into a world of knowledge.
Popular articles
AI App Revolutionizes Smallholder Farming in Malawi
In the village of Ndodo, located 25 miles south of Malawi's capital Lilongwe, farmers are gathering around an acacia tree to receive agricultural tips via a smartphone. This innovative method is part of a new app called Ulangizi, which means “Advice” in Chichewa. The app is among the first instances of Artificial Intelligence being utilized to support subsistence farmers in some of the world's poorest regions.
A Lifeline for Smallholder Farmers
Developed by the Chicago-based nonprofit Opportunity International, Ulangizi operates on WhatsApp and leverages data from ChatGPT and Malawi's agricultural manual to offer advice and diagnose issues with crops or livestock. Anna Chimalizeni, a government farmer-support agent, helps farmers with literacy challenges by transcribing their concerns and reading the app's responses, which are also available as voice notes in the local language.
The introduction of this app could prove invaluable for the 3.1 million families reliant on smallholder farming in Malawi, particularly following the devastating impacts of Cyclone Freddy in early 2023. The cyclone displaced nearly 100,000 people, waterlogged fields, and decimated the annual soy crop. AI applications in agriculture, which are common in developed countries, are now beginning to make headway in poorer nations, potentially transforming the lives of subsistence farmers worldwide.
Global Implications and Future Plans
The success of Ulangizi in Malawi, where small-scale farming supports more than 80% of the 21 million population, could herald its global adoption. With 600 million smallholder farmers around the world producing a third of the global food supply, AI could become a key tool in enhancing agricultural productivity. According to Greg Nelson, Opportunity’s chief technology officer, the NGO is conducting surveys and focus groups to optimize the app before expanding its reach.
Opportunity International, funded by partners like Cisco Systems Inc. and Mastercard Inc., is seeking additional support for a wider rollout. Tim Strong, head of agriculture finance at the NGO, emphasizes the dire need for smallholder farmers to increase their productivity to meet future food demands. The Malawian government has been receptive to such innovations, especially in the wake of Cyclone Freddy, yet faces challenges due to an insufficient number of agricultural extension agents.
Local Impact and Challenges
The Ulangizi app has proven beneficial for farmers like Grace Kalembera, who successfully diagnosed her pigs' ailments through the app, potentially saving her livestock. However, obstacles remain, such as limited access to smartphones and unreliable mobile network coverage. In a country with only two million internet users and 12 million registered sim cards, connectivity issues and high data costs pose significant barriers.
Despite these challenges, farmers involved in the AI app trial report significant time and cost savings. Maron Galeta, for instance, praises the app for providing quick information, eliminating the long wait for agricultural extension workers. As Ulangizi continues to evolve and expand, it holds the promise of significantly improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Malawi and potentially other regions.
