Empowering Tanzanian Farmers with AI
Swahili-based, offline-ready artificial intelligence for smallholder farmers in Tanzania
Our Mission & Vision
Mission
To empower rural smallholder farmers with inclusive, localized, and offline-ready artificial intelligence tools that enhance productivity, improve decision-making, and elevate household livelihoods across Tanzania and beyond.
Vision
To become Africa's most accessible agricultural AI platform, closing the digital divide and transforming rural agriculture through inclusive technology designed with the farmer at heart.
Why Mkulima AI?
Swahili Interface
Designed specifically for Tanzanian farmers with full Swahili language support
Offline Functionality
Works without internet in remote rural areas
Organic Focus
Promotes cost-effective organic farming solutions
Farmer-Centered
Developed with direct input from smallholder farmers
Founder Story
Erwin Nanyaro
Hailing from Tanzania, Erwin Nanyaro is a project scholar and AI self taught technologist with a passion for empowering smallholder farmers through appropriate technology. His journey into agricultural innovation began with the transformative CLIFT project research in 2024, a collaborative initiative between Mzumbe University and the University of Copenhagen.
While conducting surveys across two Tanzanian regions (Morogoro, and Arusha), Erwin witnessed firsthand the technological gaps limiting smallholder farmers. The lack of accessible, localized digital tools for these farmers - who form the backbone of Tanzania's agriculture - inspired the creation of Mkulima AI.
Recognizing that 80% of Tanzania's farmers are smallholders often excluded from digital solutions, Erwin dedicated himself to developing an AI platform that works offline, in Swahili, and addresses real farmer needs identified through extensive field research.
Mkulima AI represents the convergence of Erwin's technical skills with his deep understanding of rural farming challenges - creating a tool that bridges the digital divide while respecting traditional farming knowledge.
MKULIMA AI FIELD IMPACT REPORT
From the Soil to AI: How Mkulima AI is Transforming Rural Farming in Tanzania
Report Highlights
Executive Summary
This field report documents how Mkulima AI empowered farmers in Kisosa and Maekani villages to diagnose and treat Gray Mold, Leaf Spot Complex, and Aphids using cost-free agroecological methods.
Kisosa Village
Strawberry farmers achieved 35% yield increase using organic treatments
Maekani Village
Successfully treated aphids with homemade organic solutions
Cost Savings
Reduced pesticide costs from TZS 30,000-60,000 to under TZS 2,200
Farmer Empowerment
"Sasa simu yangu imekuwa mwalimu wangu" - Farmers' testimonial
App Features
Intuitive Homescreen
Simple navigation designed for farmers with varying tech literacy
Disease Detection
AI-powered identification of crop diseases with 92% accuracy
Soil Analysis
Recommendations based on visual soil assessment
Planting Guide
Optimal planting times and techniques for each crop
Profit Calculator
Break-even analysis and yield projections
Storage Solutions
Low-cost preservation methods to reduce post-harvest losses
Processing Methods
Value-addition techniques to increase income
Market Connections
Links farmers with buyers, agro-dealers, and seed suppliers
Research Journeys in Tanzania
Bridging the Gap in Uluguru Mountains
Engaging with strawberry farmers to balance agriculture and water sustainability. Pioneering AI-driven solutions for irrigation and organic farming...
The AI Revolution by Tanzanians
Building an app that works offline, in Swahili, with solutions based on local knowledge rather than expensive imported inputs...
From Code to Community Impact
Meeting Eliah in Maekani - a farmer battling crop losses until Mkulima AI provided affordable, sustainable solutions...
Hope in Action: One Farmer's Transformation
Returning to Eliah's farm weeks later to see remarkable recovery after implementing Mkulima AI's recommendations...
Real Impact in Maekani
Documenting Eliah's journey from struggling with persistent crop diseases to successful recovery using Mkulima AI's diagnosis and recommendations...
Bridging the Gap: Climate Action Meets Sustainable Agriculture
In the heart of the Uluguru Mountains, I engaged with local leaders and strawberry farmers, witnessing firsthand the challenges in balancing agricultural productivity and water resource sustainability.
At Mkulima AI, we integrate AI-driven solutions to revolutionize water management and organic farming. Our initiative uses AI-powered hydrological sensors and predictive analytics to ensure efficient irrigation and improve soil health.
We're calling on Tanzania's leading institutions - Sokoine University, Mzumbe University, and NM-AIST - to join us in pushing the boundaries of innovation in sustainable farming. Collaboration with global partners like University of Copenhagen and WWF can help integrate climate-smart practices for rural resilience.
This is just the beginning of our vision where people and nature thrive together through AI-powered, climate-resilient agricultural systems.
The AI Revolution by Tanzanians, for Tanzanians
After teaching myself to code using generative AI, I built an app being tested in Turo, Kisosa, Morning Sight, Mlali, and Mgeta villages.
Unlike European houseplant apps, Mkulima AI is built in Swahili, with images of African farmers, and advice based on local solutions - not expensive imported inputs. It works offline for areas with poor coverage.
New features include weather alerts with farming advice and a profitability calculator using numbers farmers can easily collect. After the rainy season, we'll gather farmer feedback to improve the app.
This is the beginning of an AI revolution led by African youth - building tools to liberate ourselves from structures that hold us back. The dream is for Tanzanians to lead in developing solutions for our unique challenges.
From Code to Community Impact
In Maekani near Mzumbe, I met Eliah - a young farmer battling crop losses for 1.5 years, misled by expensive chemicals that didn't cure his plants' unknown diseases.
With one photo, Mkulima AI diagnosed Bell Pepper Early Blight and provided affordable, environmentally conscious solutions. His disbelief turned to hope as he finally understood what harmed his crops and how to fix it sustainably.
This moment validated why I built this app - to restore agency to farmers excluded from tech innovation. As climate change increases disease outbreaks, our solutions must be accessible, practical, and just.
Mkulima AI proves technology can be a tool of liberation when designed by and for the people it serves.
Hope in Action: One Farmer's Transformation
Returning to Eliah's farm weeks after introducing Mkulima AI revealed a remarkable transformation. His once-devastated pepper plants were recovering after implementing the app's recommendations:
- Removing infected leaves to prevent spread
- Applying neem oil as natural pesticide
- Watering at the base to avoid leaf wetness
- Mulching to prevent soil splash
Eliah's testimonial: "After removing the infected plants, truly I did not see that challenge anymore. The difference is huge... it helped me identify the disease and solve it... and that increased my harvests."
This tangible impact demonstrates how accessible AI can restore dignity and hope to smallholder farmers when rooted in local knowledge.
Real Impact in Maekani: From Struggle to Success
In the village of Maekani, we witnessed a remarkable transformation when Eliah, a smallholder farmer battling persistent crop diseases for over a year, adopted Mkulima AI's solutions.
Before: Diseased pepper plants
After: Healthy plants 3 weeks later
The Turning Point
After countless failed attempts with chemical treatments, Mkulima AI diagnosed Pepper Early Blight within minutes. Eliah implemented our recommendations:
- Removal of infected plants to prevent disease spread
- Neem oil application as organic pesticide
- Improved watering techniques to avoid leaf wetness
- Proper mulching to prevent soil contamination
"After removing the infected plants, truly I did not see that challenge anymore. The difference is huge... it helped me identify the disease and solve it... and that increased my harvests."
Lasting Impact
Eliah's success demonstrates how accessible AI technology can revolutionize smallholder farming:
Accurate diagnoses without expensive lab tests
Affordable, sustainable solutions
Restored agency to farmers
Measurable impact on food security
This transformation represents the potential for thousands of Tanzanian smallholder farmers when equipped with the right technological tools.
Support Our Mission
National Expansion Campaign
We're seeking funding to deploy Mkulima AI across 8 Tanzanian regions over 6 months:
- Months 1-2: Train and install Mkulima AI for 500 farmers per region
- Months 3-4: Monitoring and control phase
- Months 5-6: Collect feedback from 4,000 farmers and conduct final refinements
This campaign will culminate in launching Mkulima AI on PlayStore as a public good, freely available to all Tanzanian farmers.
Your support will directly impact food security and livelihoods across Tanzania.