The plight of smallholder farmers in Kenya is significant, with more than 70% of the farming population falling into this category. These farmers are the backbone of the nation’s food supply. Yet, they face myriad challenges, including unpredictable weather patterns, inadequate access to essential information, and limited resources to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
In the heart of Kenya, smallholder farmers (SHFs) play a significant role in ensuring the nation’s food security. However, they face a profound challenge due to the adverse impacts of climate change and the lack of access to localized data, severely hindering their productivity and resilience.
Nonetheless, a beacon of hope emerges through innovative technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies hold immense potential to revolutionize agricultural practices and empower small-scale farmers, thus ensuring sustainable food production and security.
Introducing AI and IoT technologies offers a transformative solution to these pressing issues. By leveraging AI algorithms and IoT devices, farmers can access real-time data on crucial factors such as soil moisture, temperature, nutrient levels, and weather patterns. With this information, farmers can make informed decisions regarding crop management such as when to plant, weed, irrigate, and conduct pest control, ultimately leading to enhanced productivity and yield.
One pioneering initiative that exemplifies the potential of AI and IoT in agriculture is the deployment of mini-weather stations and the Imarika application in Busia County by Strathmore University’s IoT and Data Science Teams in October 2023.
After conducting tests of two developed mini-weather stations on a Machakos farm and two stations at KARLO headquarters, the project installed 19 devices across Nambale and Butula sub-counties hosted by selected farmers. The initiative also included comprehensive user training sessions, with 25 participants providing valuable feedback on their experiences.
Initial results from the project are promising, with participants reporting a fairly positive user experience, as indicated by System Usability Scale (SUS) scores of 68.5 for women and 66.8 for men. However, the endeavor also unearthed several challenges that need addressing to ensure its sustained success. These challenges include poor network connectivity, limited smartphone access, digital literacy gaps, vandalism risks, and entrenched traditional farming beliefs.
Addressing these challenges requires a complex approach from the project team that combines technological innovation with targeted interventions. Expanding network coverage, providing affordable smartphone options, enhancing digital literacy programs, ensuring security for IoT devices, and conducting community outreach to promote the adoption of modern farming practices are crucial steps toward overcoming these obstacles.
Furthermore, the success of this initiative in Busia County emphasizes the importance of supporting local abilities and cooperation. By tapping into existing networks and expertise, stakeholders can develop tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of smallholder farmers while promoting sustainable development and economic growth at the grassroots level.
Dr Betsy Muriithi of Strathmore University who led the project, notes the vitality of the project citing, “In the heart of Kenya, smallholder farmers stand at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, where the adverse impacts of climate change meet the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Through pioneering initiatives like the deployment of mini-weather stations and the Imarika application in Busia County, we glimpse a future where technology empowers these farmers to overcome challenges of climate, connectivity, and tradition, ensuring sustainable food security and resilience in the face of uncertainty”.
AI and IoT technologies hold immense promise for empowering smallholder farmers and advancing agricultural sustainability in Kenya. By harnessing the power of data and innovation, we can create a future where farmers are equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the face of climate change and contribute to a more food-secure nation.
For more information on this project go ahead and read the full papers here: Enhancing Agricultural Support for Small Scale Farmers in Kenya: An IoT-based Mini Weather Station as a Machine Learning Data Collector; Kenya’s Low Carbon Futures: An Assessment Using the KCERT Model.
By @iLabAfrica Research & Innovation Centre, Strathmore University.