Sustainable agriculture is a critical ingredient and a primary source of livelihood for most of the populations, especially those residing in largely-agrarian economies of the Global South. Digital agriculture, especially in the Global South, faces several persistent challenges in improving farm-productivity and profitability for farmers. These include fragmentation of digital agriculture practices, limiting the efficiency and scalability of such initiatives. Each country has its own agricultural ecosystem evolving at its own pace, managing for various unique constraints. While over the years, agri-tech platforms have uniquely evolved to address the needs of the farming ecosystem, we have to think of ways to integrate various incumbent agro-platform efforts, as no one system can solve all for all challenges.

Smallholder farmers often lack access to modern technologies, timely knowledge-assets and meaningful access to markets, hindering their farm-productivity and individual profitability. For instance, there are noticeable gaps in adequate market linkages and credit sources in several geographies, thereby making it difficult for marginalised farming communities to sell their produce at fair prices and invest in necessary commodities. The sector is also highly vulnerable to adverse climate events, depleting forest-cover and soil-water conditions; thereby necessitating a pressing focus on advocating for advanced, climate-resilient practices and tools. Farmers too, as a critical “beneficiary class” are not individuals in isolation. Given the oft-seen poor income conditions, the severe stress it lays on a farming family’s livelihood needs urgent attention. If we were to look at a farmer household (as a social unit of intervention), the intervention needs are several. These include policy and funding support for maternal health, scholarship benefits and lifelong learning access for their children, social protection cover and family-subsidies, holistic health and wellness benefits for the household, water-use efficiency and so forth. Additionally, if we expand this scope to a much larger ecosystem, the policy interventions can assume possibilities of reorienting rural youth livelihood programs, streamlining the supply chains of agri-produce processing, distribution and logistics, meaningful and responsible private-market participation for sectoral modernization in tandem with Governments, among others. Thus, the aim of well ordained agri-transformation missions shouldn’t just limit themselves to siloed farmer and farm-related needs, but take a conscious view to address these challenges (and the resulting opportunities) at a much-more expanded ecosystem view. Thus the possibilities to craft new models of agri-productivity and secure economic opportunities for the farming ecosystem, are immense! 

All this is possible with a reliable and scalable digital infrastructure backbone; the lack of which impedes timely information-access and innovative agri-practices. To create an inclusive and innovative agricultural economy, it is imperative to empower the farming ecosystem with necessary tools and knowledge, along with necessary opportunities for market linkages and credit sources. Enabling open & decentralised DPI & AI-powered (but augmented by a reliable human trust infrastructure) Digital Agriculture Grids are an interesting proposition to take a closer look at. As is now evidenced in a few geographies, this DPI-lens to ongoing digital agriculture efforts worldwide is aiding the consolidation of several (current) fragmented and isolated interventions and help create farming ecosystem-focused solutions at a population scale, fostering significant societal transformation at large.  

The Idea

To accelerate this DPI-AI pivot to Agriculture, the “Open AgriNet (OAN)” alliance is being established as a global network of Governments, Sectoral tech-think tanks, SDOs, NPOs, Private Ag-tech organisations, research & academic institutions, among others. Through collective actions of this community, the OpenAgriNet alliance seeks to open up several avenues of access to modern technologies and knowledge assets for implementers, while also having concerted efforts around unlocking several new models of market linkages and credit sources for the farming ecosystem. It aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change on agriculture by promoting advanced, DPI-led climate-based data management tools. A key goal of the OpenAgriNet Alliance include advocating for and guiding the implementation of Digital Agriculture Grids, aided by an ambition to inculcate a culture of global cooperation to support and guide implementers in this endeavour. Thus, it seeks to establish universally-applicable agri-tech best practices; such as open and standardised protocols, data standards, open-source digital goods, cost-effective AI tooling, open data sets and operational toolkits for establishing such Grids, and so forth. The Alliance will also establish global channels of collaboration to enable inter-practitioner exchanges of best practices and innovative solutions, ultimately creating a more inclusive, efficient, and resilient agricultural ecosystem. 

The Future

This pivot presents a fascinating opportunity for the global community to advance the speed and efficacy of digital agriculture innovations in the years to come. The potential that this represents uncovers several exciting possibilities over a 5-10 year horizon, some being;

1. Every in-country manifestation of the OAN blueprint presents a direct impact on 2.5 billion people, invested in the farming ecosystem worldwide. Thereby opening up new avenues for self-sufficiency and debt-free lives. Thus given the population impact, we can realistically aspire to see the gradual shift of a significant composition of LIC & LMIC nations (currently) towards middle-income status or beyond. 

2. Reinventing the global focus and dialogue from “Food Security for All” to “Stabilising Food systems and Ensuring better wellbeing for All”

3. A multi-year leap in Agri-research using technology levers, and widespread on ground applications of forward looking ideas around soil & water security, remote farm monitoring and mechanisation, and so forth. 

4. Unlocking new models of Agri-financing for large-scale public investments, philanthropic capital and market infusion efforts. 

5. Creating a new social-tech infrastructure for Agriculture, a la “AgriOS” with underlying modular technology building blocks and widespread community contributions-uptake; to aid faster innovation cycles and value creation on-ground for the key stakeholders concerned. 

6. And ultimately to establish a connecting global transactional infrastructure between nations and multilateral-regional blocs, to encourage bilateral agri-trade and unfettered information highways. 

True to the spirit that this ambition holds, OAN will be a collective for all who have an active stake in modernising agriculture and food systems worldwide, for the holistic betterment of our populations. 

Rajeesh Menon

Founding Member & Chief of Innovation 

OAN

The integration of AI into agriculture promises to revolutionize the industry, enhancing productivity, sustainability and resilience. AI-powered tools hold the potential to empower farmers worldwide, particularly in developing countries, enabling them to overcome challenges and thrive. According to the International Food Policy Research Institute, data-driven agriculture techniques could increase farm productivity by up to 67% by 2050, while reducing agricultural and food losses.

As AI continues to progress, its influence on agriculture is poised to deepen, marking a transformative shift across every aspect of farming. This evolution stands as a cornerstone in guaranteeing food security for our expanding global population. The advent of mobile-based information retrieval, coupled with advancements in generative AI, holds the promise of extending these benefits to smallholder farmers. The power of generative AI lies in its capacity to assimilate unstructured information in various formats and present it in a comprehensible manner. This innovative tool seamlessly processes inputs in the form of text, voice or images, delivering essential information to farmers and extension workers. This real-world application underscores the practical impact of AI, translating complex data into actionable insights for those at the heart of our agricultural communities.

AIEP: A Catalyst for Change in Bihar and Kenya

The Agriculture Information Exchange Platform (AIEP) exemplifies the transformative power of AI in agriculture, particularly in regions like Bihar, India, and Kenya. Developed by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) under the FAIR Forward initiative, and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, AIEP brings AI's benefits to the grassroots level. Partners such as CLEAR Global have been instrumental in shaping this platform, ensuring that it addresses the unique challenges of smallholder farmers in these regions. By doing so, AIEP acts as a beacon of hope for the Global South, demonstrating the potential of AI to drive positive change.

Harnessing Cutting-edge Technology for Agriculture

AIEP employs an omni-channel delivery mechanism, utilizing text, voice, and video formats to disseminate information. This makes it accessible on both feature phones and smartphones, ensuring that even farmers with basic mobile devices can benefit. By leveraging technologies such as generative AI, natural language processing (NLP), text-to-speech (TTS), and speech-to-text (STT), AIEP provides hyper-localized, actionable information. This approach bridges the gap left by traditional agricultural extension services, offering tailored guidance that meets the specific needs of smallholder farmers.

Impact on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

AIEP's impact is particularly significant in the context of climate change. In Bihar and Kenya, the platform has proven its ability to support farmers in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. It provides real-time weather updates, advice on climate-smart agricultural practices, pest and disease management, and sustainable land use techniques. Furthermore, AIEP facilitates access to climate finance, training, and market information, enhancing farmers' resilience to environmental changes. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices and efficient resource management, AIEP not only supports farmers in adapting to current challenges but also contributes to long-term climate change mitigation.

Overcoming Challenges: Building Trust and Capacity

The journey of integrating AI into agriculture is not without challenges. One major hurdle is the need for AI-readable, localized data that is both relevant and easy to understand. This is crucial for the effectiveness of AI solutions but often difficult to achieve. Additionally, shifting farmers from traditional advisory methods to AI-based solutions requires overcoming scepticism and building trust in the new technology.

To address these challenges, AIEP employs a human-in-the-loop approach. Trusted extension workers deliver AI-generated insights to farmers, bridging the trust gap and ensuring the advice is well-received. Collaborations with government entities help to vet and approve advisory content, further enhancing its credibility. AIEP also prioritizes capacity building, training both farmers and extension workers in the use of AI technologies. This approach not only improves skills and confidence but also facilitates a smoother transition to AI-driven agricultural practices.

Conclusion: Paving the Way for a Resilient Future

The Agriculture Information Exchange Platform represents a significant leap forward in agricultural support, combining innovative technology with a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. By delivering personalized, actionable information through multiple channels and addressing the key challenges of AI adoption, AIEP is transforming agricultural practices in Kenya and India. Its contributions to climate change adaptation and mitigation highlight its potential to drive sustainable agricultural development and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Through its collaborative efforts and focus on trust and capacity building, AIEP is setting a new standard for agricultural technology solutions, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable future in agriculture.

Contact details 

Christian Merz This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Kirti Pandey This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," is not just a global environmental treasure but also a critical economic resource, especially for Brazil. Among its vast natural offerings, açaí has emerged as one of the most prominent symbols of the Amazon's bioeconomy. This small purple berry, once a staple of local diets, has turned into a global superfood phenomenon, driving significant economic activity in the region. However, the rapid expansion of açaí production and other bioeconomic activities due to nutritional value and market demand has had a serious impact on the lowland forests. Expansion of acai is causing loss of biodiversity and native species in the region, which in turn is resulting in lower productivity of the acai plant because of loss of pollinators- a phenomenon now termed as Acai-fication. 

These challenges are exacerbated by changing weather patterns, including unpredictable rainfall and longer dry seasons, impacting crop yields and farming cycles as acai grows in wetlands that are accustomed to flooding. Ignoring the local biodiversity is harmful not only to the booming industry but also to floodplains that are disappearing due to vegetation holding the land. These are local challenges that technology can help address and preserve the mighty Amazon and its local practices. 

Farmers predominantly believe that growing more acai palms will translate into a bigger harvest, thus enabling sustainable agri learning that focuses on low impact acai farming practices and advisory information, which will help in combating misinformation, increasing yield and higher production quality. E-learning platforms can offer training in sustainable farming practices covering agroforestry, soil management and conservation techniques, and entrepreneurship. These e-learning initiatives must be supplemented with community knowledge sharing where local farmers can share best practices, access expert advice, and collaborate on sustainable farming techniques.

Additionally, access to credit and subsidies to farmers that focus on sustainable agri practices without compromising biodiversity can be helpful incentives. This can be augmented by transparency in the supply chain, ensuring that products labelled as "sustainable" truly meet environmental and social standards. For açaí producers, this could mean tracking the berry from harvest to market, providing consumers with verifiable information about its origin and ensuring fair compensation for local communities. With the Belem-City wide network (Rede Belém Aberta) - a beckn-protocol based open, interoperable, federated network - the CIty administration can transform the agriculture sector by enabling the discovery and delivery of verified agricultural content, best practices, and agri-skilling resources across a wide range of private and public platforms, fostering innovation and progress through a collaborative approach. 

Surge in Acai has benefited the local communities and poorest of the poor tremendously and the benefits of the trade cannot be understated but it’s time to empower these communities with direct access to market and sustainable management practices to build climate resilient and diversified economies.