{"id":68563,"date":"2024-08-26T12:14:01","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T09:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/atpsnet.org\/stage\/?p=68563"},"modified":"2024-08-26T12:23:16","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T09:23:16","slug":"empowering-women-and-marginalized-communities-in-africas-agriculture-through-artificial-intelligence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/atpsnet.org\/stage\/empowering-women-and-marginalized-communities-in-africas-agriculture-through-artificial-intelligence\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering Women and Marginalized Communities in Africa’s Agriculture through Artificial Intelligence"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Empowering Women and Marginalized Communities in Africa’s Agriculture through Artificial Intelligence<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Figure 1: Women farmers in Nigeria receiving hands on training of APWENFarm app and Plantix app<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture has garnered significant attention in recent years. In Africa, where agriculture remains a critical sector for livelihoods and economic growth, AI is seen as a promising tool to overcome various challenges. However, while AI offers substantial benefits, there is a risk that it could exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly for women and marginalized communities, if not implemented inclusively.<\/p>

To address these concerns, the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), in collaboration with Kumasi Hive and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), with generous support from Gender at Work, launched the Strengthening the Capacity of Women and Marginalized Communities in Africa\u2019s Agriculture and Food Systems to Harness the Potentials of Artificial Intelligence Technology<\/em> project. This initiative, part of the broader Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture and Food Systems (AI4AFS) innovation research network, was designed to promote gender equity and empower marginalized communities in the adoption and use of AI technologies in agriculture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
Project Overview<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Launched in the year 2023, this project aimed to address the persistent productivity divide between men and women in African agriculture. Despite their dominance in the agricultural workforce, comprising 60% to 80% of all agricultural labour, women often face significant barriers, including limited access to technology, restricted land ownership, financial constraints, and lower levels of education. These challenges are further compounded for other marginalized farmers, making it difficult for them to benefit from AI advancements.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Figure 2 Women farmers in Nigeria during a hands on training session on setting up a Smart Drip irrigation system<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The project was structured around two main objectives:<\/p>

  1. Understanding Threats and Opportunities:<\/strong> The first objective was to assess the existing threats and opportunities related to AI adoption in agriculture for women and marginalized communities. This involved in-depth research and stakeholder engagement to identify the specific needs and barriers faced by these groups.<\/li>
  2. Improving AI Adoption through Inclusive Design and Training:<\/strong> The second objective was to enhance the adoption and use of AI technologies by women and marginalized communities. This was achieved through a ‘design by inclusion’ approach, where AI tools were co-designed with input from the target groups, ensuring that the technologies were relevant and accessible. The project also included targeted training programs to build the capacity of women and marginalized farmers to effectively use AI in their agricultural practices.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    Key Activities and Achievements<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Throughout the project, several key activities were undertaken to achieve the set objectives:<\/p>