Empowering Tanzanian Farmers with AI

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

Before: Diseased pepper plants

After: Healthy plants 3 weeks later