Artificial intelligence (AI) tools will use satellite remote sensing and machine learning to predict crop yields for key crops across Africa, helping to mitigate damage from climate change and other crises, according to their developers. It is said that there is
Pan-African research organization AKADEMIYA2063 says the African Agriculture Watch (AAgWa) tool will support the production of staples such as maize, cassava and sorghum in 47 African countries.
Launched on April 27, the web-based platform is designed to help address some of the impacts of climate change, conflict and pests on food production.
Racine Lee, director of data management, digital products and technology at AKADEMIYA2063, said the African agricultural sector faces multiple threats, including supply chain disruptions as a result of extreme weather and health crises.
“Relying solely on traditional analytical techniques will not provide the effective decision-making necessary to address these challenges,” he told SciDev.Net.
Developers say AAgWa will give policy makers timely access to high-quality predictive analytics often in short supply on the continent.
Lee said the main reasons these crops were chosen were their contribution to food security in Africa and their high trade value.
“For example, our rural areas will consume more millet, sorghum and yams,” he explained.
“They are not really used in international trade, but they are very important to our lives. So we would rather focus on them because if they suffer destruction or disruption, Because these communities also affect their lives.”
Developed by a team of all-African experts, the tool took about two years to develop and included intensive scientific review and satellite data collection, Lee said.
“This is the most important data that researchers and decision makers use to make decisions, so we had to make sure the data was correct and the predictions accurate,” said SciDev.Net. told to
Providing information to farmers
Making the platform accessible to rural farmers, who are often illiterate, is the next hurdle, Lee said.
“Initially, we will aggregate information and work with cooperatives who can disseminate it … but at the same time we will explore how we can work with extension workers to actually convey the information to farmers. I’m doing it.
“It’s not there yet, but we’re working on it.”
Jerry Sam, executive director of Ghana-based technology hub Penplusbyte, tells SciDev.Net that AI and satellite data can provide valuable insights and predictions about crop yields.
“By combining multiple datasets, the AI model can gain a more comprehensive understanding of factors such as weather, soil, and historical yield data that affect the growth and yield potential of crops,” says Sam. says Mr.
“AI and satellite data can also support precision farming practices by providing site-specific recommendations for optimizing inputs such as irrigation, fertilization and pest control.”
“This targeted approach could lead to improved yields and resource efficiency.”
Sam believes that AI and satellite data can be used to revolutionize agriculture in Africa.
“The introduction of AI technology, especially in the field of subsistence agriculture, will not only increase crop yields, but also benefit rural people and provide food security for the nation,” he said.
For more information:
Tools: www.aagwa.org/
