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
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
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,
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 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
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
By Shalini Gakhar and Niyati Singaraju (International Rice Research Institute) Agriculture is at a transformative crossroads, where cutting-edge technology meets traditional farming practices. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a game-changer, enabling smarter, more efficient, and sustainable farming systems. By integrating real-time data from sources like IoT sensors, drones, and advanced computer vision technologies, AI empowers farmers to make informed
By Shalini Gakhar and Steve Klassen (International Rice Research Institute) The impact of drone technology is growing across various sectors, and agriculture is no exception. Globally, the market for agricultural drones is worth US $32.4 billion, compared to US $127 billion for the total value of drone-powered solutions. For smallholder farmers in countries such as India and the Philippines, drones