You may be skeptical about it, but smartphones can be used for more than just chatting, checking the weather, and taking pictures of your cat. In Kenya, some use their smartphones to grow more food.
In Western Kenya, Roseline Akochi, a smallholder farmer, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve her crops. She is growing cassava – a starchy and carbohydrates-rich root vegetable grown in Africa, Asia, and South America.
Roseline uses her phone to scan her plants. That’s how she can instantly diagnose diseases and pests: she’s using an app developed by the non-profit organization Plant Village. This technology provides immediate solutions to crop health issues, addressing challenges that farmers like Akochi have faced for years.
The app offers more than just disease diagnosis. It also includes resources on obtaining quality seeds, preparing land, and connecting with agricultural specialists. Since adopting the app in 2018, Akochi has seen a dramatic increase in her harvest. Her cassava yield has grown from five bags to 200, enabling …