New web-based platform predicts yields of nine key African crops through use of emerging technologies
State-of-the-art tool uses AI and satellite data to overcome Africa’s agricultural data gap and support effective decision-making and crisis planning.
May 11, 2023, Kigali, RWANDA – A new tool, which uses cutting-edge machine learning techniques and satellite remotely sensed data to predict agricultural yields for nine key crops across Africa, launched on April 27.
The web-based Africa Agriculture Watch (AAgWa) platform combines remote sensing data and machine learning techniques to support informed decision-making in African food production systems. The tool has provided predictions for agricultural yields in 47 African countries, across many of the most important crops for African food production, including maize, cassava, and sorghum, among others. The tool is designed to support farmers, policymakers, and local communities in crisis management, monitoring, and mitigation efforts.
The AAgWa platform was officially launched as the fourth core program of pan-African non-profit research organization AKADEMIYA2063 at a virtual event, which highlighted the significant threats posed to Africa’s food production systems from climate shocks, global market disruptions, health crises, plant diseases, and pest outbreaks.
Stakeholders discussed how today’s emerging digital technologies can help overcome Africa’s “agricultural data gap”, which inhibits African farmers and policymakers from responding effectively to threats to crop production, while driving further agricultural productivity and strengthening resilience across the African continent.
“When it comes to innovations in data, and particularly in remote sensing and artificial intelligence (AI), Africa does not have to follow – we can lead from within,” said Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson, AKADEMIYA2063.
“Africa’s telecoms revolution has shown how much you can achieve if you put in the effort and the resources, and at AKADEMIYA2063 we are investing in making key data and analytics for development accessible for all African countries.”
This new phase of the AAgWa program will facilitate the use of emerging technologies like AI and advanced remote sensing by African countries to achieve their development objectives and broader economic growth, including the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063 and Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030).
“As we know, the African agricultural sector is facing a number of threats, from supply chain disruptions to extreme climate events and health crises. What all these crises have in common is the need for good planning and preparedness to reduce uncertainties in decision-making,” said Dr. Racine Ly, Director, Department of Data Management, Digital Products, and Technology, AKADEMIYA2063.
“Relying on conventional analytic techniques alone will not deliver the effective decision-making we need to meet these challenges. At AAgWa, we are improving the timely accessibility to the data decision-makers need to enable them to take better actions”.
Chaired by Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Gambia to Switzerland and Member of the Malabo Montpellier Panel, the event was also attended by high-level researchers and international and regional policymakers. Notable were closing remarks from Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), emphasizing FAO’s commitment to the digitalization of agriculture and the use of innovation to end hunger and improve livelihoods, and comments from Dr. Parmesh Shah, Global Lead for Rural Livelihoods and Agricultural Jobs, World Bank, who provided an overview of AI trends applied in the agricultural sector.
“The AU Climate Change Strategy places emphasis on African agriculture and the need to build resilient food systems and increase productivity, with the potential of Africa feeding itself and the world, through a climate resilient and regenerative agriculture,” said Mr. Harsen Nyambe, Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, African Union Commission.
“The Africa Agriculture Watch that is being launched today is well positioned to help the AU as it leads these efforts.”
Harnessing the power of emerging technologies will prove vital in improving the productivity and resilience of African food production systems to future shocks. This is particularly vital given that African agricultural yields, on average, remain just one-fifth of yields in the US, even though the population of sub-Saharan Africa is expected to double by 2050.
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