AI: A Recipe to End Hunger

By Katie Kim, GRC 2024 Global Essay Competition Top 30

The Horn of Africa, comprising Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia, is grappling with one of the worst droughts in decades, caused by consecutive failed rainy seasons from 2020 to 2023. Over 36 million people are food insecure, with 16.3 million lacking adequate water access and millions suffering from acute malnutrition. In Somalia alone, famine has claimed 260,000 lives, half of them children under five. Ethiopia has 2.2 million malnourished children in drought-affected areas, and the number of children facing acute malnutrition across the region is projected to rise to 1.7 million by December 2024.

Human-induced climate change has worsened the crisis, doubling the likelihood of low rainfall events and devastating rain-fed agriculture and pastoral livelihoods. Rising temperatures and reduced rainfall have dried soils and pastures, pushing millions into poverty. Food insecurity has left 21 million people struggling, with 3 million at emergency levels, often going days without food. Malnutrition is widespread, with over half of children under five stunted in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Meanwhile, outbreaks of cholera and diarrhea, linked to poor water access, have claimed hundreds of lives in Somalia in 2024 alone.

While humanitarian organizations like the UN and NGOs are providing food aid and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, the scale of the crisis demands innovative solutions. AI has emerged as a powerful tool to address the root causes of hunger in Africa, offering scalable and sustainable ways to boost agricultural productivity, optimize resource use, and mitigate the effects of climate change.

AI tools like the PlantVillage app, developed by Penn State University, are already transforming agriculture in Africa. This app uses AI to diagnose crop diseases and pests, providing farmers with tailored recommendations to improve yields. In Burkina Faso, farmers using PlantVillage have reported up to a 30% increase in crop yields. By empowering farmers with real-time, actionable insights, AI is helping them overcome challenges like low productivity and pest infestations, which have historically contributed to food insecurity. The app has proven particularly effective in rural areas where access to agricultural expertise is limited. For example, in Kenya, smallholder farmers like Musau Mutisya have used PlantVillage to identify and control pest infestations, leading to healthier crops and improved harvests. This not only increases food availability but also strengthens the economic resilience of farming communities.

Similarly, the generative AI chatbot Ulangizi, developed by Opportunity International, is revolutionizing farming in Malawi. Farmers can ask questions in their native language, Chichewa, and receive real-time advice based on government agricultural manuals. “In the past, we could wait for days for agriculture extension workers to come and address whatever problems we had on our farms,” said Malawian farmer Maron Galeta. “Just a touch of a button, we have all the information we need.” This democratization of agricultural knowledge is critical for small-scale farmers who lack access to traditional extension services.

Opportunity International is now working to expand Ulangizi’s capabilities with a new farming app that offers personalized advice based on a farmer’s acreage, crop history, and local climate conditions. Rebecca Nakacwa, one of the app’s developers, highlighted the importance of addressing climate-related challenges: “When we went to farmers, we thought the biggest problem was pricing. But we were so surprised because they told us their topmost problem is climate: finding a solution to how to work with the different climate changes. We know that with AI, this is achievable.”

In fact, AI is also addressing resource scarcity, particularly water and fertilizers, which are critical for sustaining agriculture in drought-prone regions. Smart irrigation systems like FarmShield use AI to monitor soil moisture and weather patterns, ensuring that water is delivered precisely when and where it is needed. In Kenya, farmers like Boniface Nzivo have used these systems to conserve water while maintaining healthy crops, demonstrating how AI can mitigate the impact of prolonged droughts.

Additionally, apps like the Virtual Agronomist analyze soil conditions and recommend optimal fertilizer use, helping farmers maximize yields while minimizing costs. This is especially important in regions like the Horn of Africa, where low agricultural productivity and reliance on rain-fed farming have worsened food insecurity. By improving soil health and crop management, AI tools enable farmers to achieve greater self-sufficiency and reduce their vulnerability to climate shocks.

Generative AI is further breaking down barriers for farmers with limited literacy or technical knowledge. Verbal AI chatbots like Ulangizi allow farmers to interact with technology in their native languages, providing targeted advice tailored to their specific needs. Greg Nelson, CTO of Opportunity International, described the transformative potential of such tools: “Since the mobile phone, this is the biggest democratizing change that we have seen in our lifetime.”

Opportunity’s incubator program is fostering the development of AI-based apps tailored to the needs of high-poverty areas. One of the winning projects aims to improve upon Ulangizi by integrating personalized data and real-time climate strategies. With $150,000 in funding for each app, the goal is to pilot these solutions in communities across Africa and reach millions of people within two years.

While AI’s potential to combat hunger in Africa is immense, challenges remain. Limited smartphone access, unreliable connectivity, and steep learning curves for new users can hinder adoption. However, organizations like Opportunity International are addressing these barriers by designing apps that work offline and training AI models on localized data sets to improve accuracy.

Despite these obstacles, the impact of AI-powered solutions is already evident. By providing real-time farming advice, optimizing resource use, and addressing climate challenges, AI offers a pathway to sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture. As Nakacwa noted, “We know that with AI, this is achievable.”

The scale of Africa’s hunger crisis demands bold, innovative solutions. AI, with its ability to empower farmers, enhance productivity, and adapt to changing climates, has the potential to transform agriculture and reduce food insecurity across the continent. While traditional humanitarian efforts remain vital, the adoption of AI in agriculture represents a crucial step toward a future where hunger is no longer an inevitability but a solvable challenge.

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