How AI Supports Millions of Small-Scale Farmers in Africa

The UN’s State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 report reveals that Africa experiences the highest levels of food insecurity globally. Approximately 20.4% of Africans, or around 298.4 million people, are undernourished—more than double the global average.

Small-scale farmers have great potential to help solve this problem. New farming methods and technologies can play a key role in reducing hunger. Thankfully, advances in technology and connectivity are making these tools, customized to the needs of smallholder farmers, more accessible.

Factors Contributing to Lower Yields Among Africa’s Smallholder Farmers

Smallholder farmers in Africa represent most of the continent’s agricultural sector, accounting for 80% of agricultural production. These farmers typically cultivate low-yield staple food crops on small plots with minimal inputs.

African farmers’ productivity is notably lower than that of their counterparts in other regions. For instance, maize yields in sub-Saharan Africa are only half of the average yield found in all developing countries and merely 20% of yields in developed countries.

Several factors contribute to the low productivity of African smallholder farmers. These include:

• Limited use of fertilisers
• Unreliable or poor rainfall
• Low market prices for crops
• Lack of irrigation infrastructure and equipment
• Unsuitable crop varieties
• Pests and diseases
• Significant post-harvest losses
• Insufficient research-extension linkages
• Inadequate access to essential inputs, especially seeds and fertilisers
• Infertile soils
• Inability to adapt to changing environmental conditions
• Slow adoption of new technologies

Addressing these challenges could increase farmers’ productivity and resilience. There is a compelling case for supporting small-scale farmers in Africa, as the continent possesses nearly 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land.

Developing these areas through innovative farming technologies and practices and sustainable land management will be crucial for food security. It could significantly improve the lives of African farmers and the broader community.

Darli AI was launched to help

Farmerline launched a chatbot for farmers called Darli AI in March 2024. This AI-powered regenerative farming mentor also serves as a data collection tool. Recently named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024, Darli allows farmers to receive instant solutions to common challenges.

For example, a farmer in Uganda can text or speak with the chatbot on WhatsApp about fertiliser, harvesting, crop rotations, how to transport food to market, or even send a photo of discoloured yams to inquire if they are diseased.

Darli’s availability in 27 languages, including 20 African languages, makes it unique. Farmerline dubbed the app a 911 service for farmers, providing critical farming insights in a language they understand.

Language and literacy challenges in rural farming communities across Africa often prevent farmers from accessing vital agricultural information. Not receiving training in their native language can be a significant barrier to improving their farming practices, which could enhance productivity. Research shows that providing information in farmers’ native languages makes them 60% more likely to adopt new techniques.

Darli can transform the farming practices of small-scale holders in Africa by delivering guidance and information in their native tongue. Farmers receive instructions on techniques such as intercropping, pest management, and soil health.

The platform also allows them to report their challenges and successes. Darli provides training, monitors how effectively knowledge is disseminated, and measures its impact on crop yield and carbon storage.

Additionally, the app provides agriculture companies valuable data and insights regarding farmers’ practices and conditions on their supplier farms, assisting them with compliance and promoting better farming practices.

The Farmerline video below explains how this AI-powered regenerative farming mentor transforms knowledge sharing and data collection among farmers while bridging language gaps to empower small-scale farmers and global corporations.