A live X Spaces discussion hosted by FAO’s Regional Office for Africa spotlighted how young African agripreneurs are applying artificial intelligence to tackle food security challenges and drive digital inclusion in rural communities. Nearly 200 participants joined the one-hour event, which featured three entrepreneurs from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Kenya developing AI solutions for smallholder farmers.
Meet the Innovators
Tafadzwa Chikwereti, eAgro (Zimbabwe) – Creator of CropFix, a mobile platform diagnosing pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies from farmer-submitted photos, delivering results even via SMS for those without internet.
Femi Adekoya, Integrated Aerial Precision (Nigeria) – Known as the “Flying Farmer,” he uses drones and AI for precision agriculture, trains youth via the Precision Field Academy, and collaborates with universities.
Lavender Birike, Klima360 (Kenya) – Integrates weather, soil, and market data to forecast climate risks, guiding decisions for farmers and insurers. She advocates for open data access and women’s participation in AI.
Insights and Impact
Chikwereti stressed that rural connectivity and digital literacy are critical for boosting yields. Adekoya defined precision agriculture as “applying the right thing at the right time in the right place,” emphasizing resource efficiency and climate resilience. Birike urged policy changes to unlock research data for localized innovation, and highlighted opportunities for women to shape AI solutions from the ground up.
Collaboration for Change
Closing remarks from FAO Digital Agriculture specialist Ken Lohento underscored the need for inclusive, context-specific innovation. He cited FAO’s Fostering Digital Villages project in Senegal, Rwanda, and Niger as an example of AI-enabled rural transformation. The event forms part of FAO’s Youth on the Frontier of Agrifood Systems series, following a May session on young ag influencers, and reinforces the role of youth-led innovation in Africa’s agricultural future.
Source: fao.org
