Photo: CIAT/StephanieMalyon Usability testing of mobile phone dietary survey in Rwanda raised response rate from 58% to 70% (75% among women) and halved the number of low-quality responses. The widespread adoption of mobile phones around the world has raised hopes of reaching farmers in low- to middle-income countries, both to provide agricultural advice and to collect data. Yet the unique
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM) have taken a significant step toward enhancing water security in the Limpopo River Basin through a recent demonstration of the Limpopo River Basin Digital Twin. The tool, developed under the CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation, was officially handed over to LIMCOM following the signing of a Memorandum of
Farmers in Gujarat, India are learning about the scientific cultivation of monsoon maize through a WhatsApp-delivered course. Launched on 31 August 2024 by Anand Agricultural University through the AgroTutor Academy, the course allows farmers learn best practices for increasing yields, managing pests, and adopting sustainable cultivation techniques – all from the convenience of their homes. AgroTutor Academy, which is part
The partnership between the UAE and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance climate-resilient agriculture through AI marks a significant leap in scaling agricultural innovations to over 500 million smallholder households. The initiatives funded under this collaboration, including those at CGIAR, focus on providing smallholder farmers in vulnerable regions with innovative tools such as AI-driven weather forecasting, pest management,
Photo: Gresia Ramos (far left) addresses digital plot participants at the agro-climatic station In the dry corridor of Guatemala, there is a plot of land unlike any other in the country. Digital sensors provide continuous data on soil humidity, nutrient content, and the water requirements of important crops in the region. Weather stations track agroclimatic conditions, and drones are used
Photo: Vasuki showcasing the panchakavya she prepared herself Vasuki, a homemaker from Puducherry, India, found herself at a crossroads. While she wanted to economically contribute to her family’s income, she wasn’t sure how. A WhatsApp-based micro-course on the preparation of panchakavya – a traditional organic growth stimulant made from cow-derived ingredients – set her on a journey. The course hosted
Digital tools offer new opportunities to address the inequalities faced by farming communities, improve incomes and involve them in government schemes. The CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation has collaborated with the Centre for Research on Innovation and Science Policy (CRISP) to highlight projects that are successfully addressing digital inclusion, and the key learnings for other projects to take on. Read
Advances in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are having a profound impact on the agricultural sector. After reaping the benefits of the Green Revolution, we are now poised to witness a new transformation through cutting-edge technologies of ICT, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), robotics, edge computing, big data analytics, unmanned aerial vehicles