Despite challenges such as limited smartphone access and high data costs, the app has been well-received by farmers who say it saves them time and money. Opportunity International is now seeking funding for a broader rollout of the app across Malawi and elsewhere. The organization believes that the app can significantly improve the productivity of smallholder farmers, who currently only produce about 20-30% of their potential yield.
Key takeaways:
- An AI app called Ulangizi is being piloted in Malawi to help small-scale farmers diagnose crop and farm animal diseases, and provide advice on farming practices.
- The app, developed by Chicago-based nonprofit Opportunity International, works on WhatsApp and uses data from ChatGPT and the Malawian government’s English-language agricultural manual.
- Despite challenges such as limited smartphone access and high data costs, the app has been successful in helping farmers save time and money, and could potentially be rolled out to other countries.
- Opportunity International is seeking funding for a broader rollout of the app, which could be crucial in helping smallholder farmers increase their productivity and contribute to global food security.