Last Updated on April 30, 2026 by AgriAxis.ng
By S David Prince
A live event on X (formerly Twitter), hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), featured young innovators from across Africa who are using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve farming. The event focused on how technology can help small-scale farmers in rural areas.
Here are the three innovators who shared their ideas:
Mr. Tafadzwa Chikwereti of Zimbabwe
created CropFix, a mobile app that uses AI to diagnose pests, diseases, and nutrient problems from a photo of a plant. The app can send information to farmers using simple SMS text messages, which is important for those who don’t have access to the internet or a smartphone.
Mr. Femi Adekoya of Nigeria,
known as the “Flying Farmer,” uses drones and AI for what is called precision agriculture. This means using technology to apply the right amount of resources like fertilizer and water to a specific part of a farm, which reduces waste and improves crop yields.
Ms. Lavender Birike of Kenya
founded Klima360, which uses AI to analyze weather, soil, and market data. This helps farmers and insurance companies make better decisions about climate risks. Ms. Birike also emphasized the importance of women’s participation in the AI sector.
The speakers noted that while AI offers great potential, a lack of digital access and literacy in rural areas remains a major challenge. They stressed that for innovation to work, it must be inclusive and specifically designed for the needs of the farmers.
They also highlighted the importance of partnerships between governments, universities, and private companies to help make these new technologies available to everyone.
