Alex Maere lost everything when Cyclone Freddy devastated his farm in 2023. His crops and soil were swept away, leaving him with only 17 pounds of corn, far from his usual harvest of 1,870 pounds. This destruction pushed Maere to seek new ways to sustain his farm and family.
In response, he turned to a generative AI chatbot, designed by Opportunity International, for farming guidance. With the help of AI, Maere received advice to grow potatoes alongside his corn and cassava. He followed the suggestions and earned over $800 from his potato sales, allowing him to support his children’s education.
The Malawian government has backed this AI project as part of efforts to adapt to climate-induced disruptions, such as cyclones and droughts. With over 80% of Malawi’s population depending on agriculture, AI offers a potential lifeline. Smallholder farmers, like Maere, could benefit from such technology to increase their yields and incomes.
The AI tool, known as Ulangizi, offers support in the local language, Chichewa, through WhatsApp. Farmers can get crop disease diagnoses and farming advice through text or audio. However, challenges such as poor internet and low literacy rates remain barriers for many farmers in rural areas.
Despite these hurdles, Ulangizi has shown promising results, particularly in rural communities. Farmers with access to smartphones can receive direct support from agents like Patrick Napanja, who helps those without smartphones. Napanja’s visits are crucial to helping farmers implement AI-based solutions.
While the integration of AI has the potential to transform farming in Africa, scaling it up presents challenges. The need for reliable internet, affordable devices, and digital literacy is evident. Trust in AI remains fragile, as farmers rely on accurate advice to avoid costly mistakes that could ruin their livelihoods.
Despite these difficulties, there is hope. The AI tool’s alignment with Malawi’s official farming advice ensures its relevance. As more farmers embrace technology, productivity and food security in Malawi may improve.