back

Digital Farming – the GAME CHANGER in Africa’s Agriculture

Food availability is a critical issue in Africa. Moreover, 80% of food is provided by poor smallholder farmers. Digitalizing farming will reduce POVERTY and HUNGER.

Digital farming has the potential to contribute meaningful livelihood improvements not only for smallholder farmers but for the entire population of Africa. Apart from contributing to better nourishment and higher crop yields on the continent, digital farming will have a positive impact on environmental sustainability and climate change resilience.

Digitalization will consequently translate into higher income for farmers as well as all other
stakeholders along the agriculture value chain and create more employment possibilities.

What we envision:

Icon_Applying-Digital-Concepts.png
INNOVATIVE
DIGITAL FARMING CONCEPTS

which empower and enable smallholders by generating income along the complete value chain of farming products.

Icon_deep knowledge about organic agriculture
DEEP KNOWLEDGE
ABOUT ORGANIC
AGRICULTURE
that promotes biodiversity, reduces the impact of climate change and allows optimal food production.
Icon_offering infrastructure
OFFERING
INFRASTRUCTURE

that will promote local food consumption, and local food trade to sustain local agribusinesses.
Icon_accessing local and international markets
ACCESSING
NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL
MARKETS

by empowering smallholders to supply quality-farmed products.

From Space to Smallholder Farmers

Remote sensing in combination with artificial intelligence generates reliable agriculture related data. As a result of digitally-generated information, better agronomic solutions become available to farmers which increases their yields and income.

Our combination of satellite and drone images enable the coverage of all types of farming, e.g., with different crops in a small space (coffee, vanilla, plantain, avocado), under all weather  conditions such as clouds in rainy seasons. We continuously collect the farm data to improve  and understand the farm situation and then to offer efficient solutions for optimal yields.

The farmers get information about:

  • Crop health and crop growth assessment
  • Crop harvest estimation
  • Soil moisture estimation
  • Irrigation planning and management
  • Weather forecasts
  • Soil management

Communicated in simple uncomplicated language by field agents who also collect feedback and train the farmers in digital literacy.

What is in it for our farmers?

Icon_Farmers_1

Farmers, participating in the program will be accompanied by GSU throughout their farm planning, crop and animal production and their access to local and international markets.

Icon_Farmers_2

Essential information about organic farming necessary for more biodiversity, improved harvests and better income are tailored for the farmers or cooperatives.

Icon_Farmers_3

The farmers are benefitting from the implementation of saving groups and the organization of regular meetings for sharing ideas, coming together, enjoying and learning from each other.

Icon_Farmers_4

We develop a
‘train the trainer’
concept and establish ‘lead’ farmers and mentoring programs.

Impressions of an Organic Coffee Farm

The organic coffee farms we are collaborating with, produce coffee intercropped with e.g. vanilla, avocado, and banana providing shade and the fruits.

The different crops reduce the risk of disease and pest incidence. Rich leaf litter return nutrients to the soil while the extensive root network improves the water holding capacity.

Pigs roam the plantation and their waste as well as other organic waste provide a natural fertilizer for the soil, plants and trees. Herbal plants on the farm can be used as insect repellants and for cooking. Another big benefit is the placement of beehives to produce honey and to pollinate the trees for higher productivity.

Offering Infrastructure

A local infrastructure, also covering distribution and storage facilities, will promote local food consumption and trade and will create business and job opportunities along the entire value chain of farming products.

A very promising project is the creation of a Ugandan Coffee Culture

Many coffee farmers have never tasted a cup coffee in their lives. We want to borrow with pride from Ethiopia and establish Coffee Ceremonies in Uganda.

Create coffee shops with a Ugandan concept which is clearly based on local suppliers and local food, which appeals to young people and which also has affordable offers. Attracting consumers by offers and promotions such as – ARTS meets COFFEE – with live music, readings and exhibitions.

Accessing national and international markets

Supplying quality-farmed products  as honey, fruits and vegetables to:

  • open markets
  • hotels 
  • restaurants
  • boarding schools
  • supermarkets

Facilitating international markets for Africa’s premium products as:

  • coffee
  • cacao
  • fruits and vegetables
  • nuts

Digital Farming Phase 1 - farming activities

Grafik_digitalfarming_1neu

Digital Farming Phase 2 - covers the entire value chain of farming products

Grafik_digitalfarming_2