Advancing Agricultural Innovation Through AI: Highlights from Joel Nwakaire’s Presentation at ICTforAgri 2024
The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) continues to lead the charge in addressing critical issues such as food security, climate change, and technological advancement across Africa. At the ICTforAgri event held on May 29-30, 2024, Joel Nwakaire delivered a compelling presentation highlighting the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agricultural and economic development.
AI and Climate Change Mitigation
A central theme of the presentation was the significant impact of climate change on agriculture and the crucial role AI can play in mitigating these effects. While AI innovations in Africa have primarily targeted disease management due to climate-induced challenges, Nwakaire emphasized that AI’s potential extends far beyond, including applications in tax decisions, soil health assessments, and market analysis.
Enhancing Food Security
Addressing food security—covering food access, availability, stability, and utilization—is a pressing priority. ATPS’s funding strategy ensures a comprehensive approach to AI innovations, selecting projects that tackle these critical areas. This approach ensures the solutions funded are not only holistic but also impactful.
Empowering Researchers and Marginalized Groups
In a bid to foster inclusivity, ATPS recently funded 10 transformative projects across East and West Africa, with grants ranging from $50,000 to $60,000. This was done through the Managing Organization (Hub) for Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture and Food Systems (AI4AFS) Innovation Research Network in Africa Project supported by International Development Research Center (IDRC) and the Swedish International Development Agency. Learn more about the project here.
A deliberate effort was made to amplify the voices of marginalized women researchers. The selection process included five female-led and five male-led projects, reflecting a commitment to gender balance. This was done in recognition of the fact that currently, only 25% of AI researchers in Africa are women, and ATPS is dedicated to increasing this percentage.
Collaborating with Diverse Stakeholders
Nwakaire underscored the importance of collaboration beyond academia, involving private sector actors and civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure that research translates into tangible benefits on the ground. Researchers provide valuable data and publications, while CSOs, working closely with farmers and local communities, facilitate the practical application and mainstreaming of these innovations.
Case Studies of AI Innovations
I. Early Warning System in Kenya
In Kenya, a collaboration between one of the AI4AFS grantees Dr. Hilda Manzi, and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) led to the development of the PeMOST tool, an early warning system for pest detection. Utilizing satellite data, PeMOST alerts farmers about potential pest outbreaks, enabling preventive measures. This project was driven by the farmers themselves, ensuring high levels of engagement and adoption. Watch Dr. Manzi’s feature here.
II. Real-time Disease Detection in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the focus was on creating an AI-powered real-time disease detection system integrated with an e-extension application. This system allows farmers to communicate directly with extension officers, sending messages and images for immediate assistance. Additionally, it includes a feature using Raspberry Pi cameras for remote crop health monitoring and a text-based irrigation activation system powered by solar energy, addressing the farmers’ water management issues. This project was spearheaded by one of the AI4AFS grantees Prof. Chinenye Anyadike. Watch her feature on this great innovation here.
III. Crop Disease Detection in Ghana
In Ghana, a mobile-based crop disease detection system was developed using deep learning technology. This system operates offline, ensuring functionality in areas with limited internet access. The project team consulted with farmers to understand their data infrastructure challenges, resulting in a versatile tool accessible in multiple languages. The project was spearheaded by one of the AI4AFS grantees Dr. Patrick Kwabena Mensah. Watch his full feature here.
Strategic Approaches and Outcomes
ATPS’s strategic approach integrates co-creation, gender inclusion, and capacity building:
- Co-creation: Engaging local voices ensures that AI tools are designed with end-users in mind, facilitating easier adoption and greater impact.
- Gender Inclusion: Committed to increasing women’s participation in AI research, ATPS intentionally included female-led initiatives to address gender disparity.
- Capacity Building: Training programs for researchers and end-users cover data management, responsible AI, and carbon footprint reporting, ensuring sustainable and environmentally conscious innovations.
Policy Influence and Collaboration
Policy plays a crucial role in the success of these innovations. ATPS is actively engaging with governments to advocate for increased investment in science, technology, and innovation (STI). Notably, their efforts contributed to Nigeria’s development of an AI strategy in collaboration with the German Ministry of Digital Ecology. Emphasizing policies that support inclusive technology and capacity building is key to ATPS’s mission.
ATPS envisions fostering an ecosystem of collaboration where diverse stakeholders, including researchers, private sector actors, and civil society organizations, work together to address agricultural challenges. By intentionally involving marginalized groups in the development process, technological advancements can have a meaningful and lasting impact on the ground.
Nwakaire’s presentation concluded with a call to action, inviting all interested parties to join ATPS in this transformative journey. With the support of donors like IDRC and Sida, ATPS aims to co-create, collaborate, and drive proactive solutions for a sustainable future in AI innovation for agriculture and climate resilience in Africa.
For collaboration opportunities, please contact ATPS through the Executive Director nozor@atpsnet.org or executivedirector@atpsnet.org.