AKILIMO: Digital Decision Support Tool

We know cassava

AKILIMO is a digital application that offers site-specific advice for cassava farming using decision trees and algorithms derived from field trials and modeling. Users input farm details, and the tool provides personalized guidance on planting, fertilizing, and harvesting to maximize yield and profit. It's accessible via smartphone app, printable guide, voice response, and chatbot for users of all literacy levels.

This technology is pre-validated.

8•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 7/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive medium

Others: No impact

The poor: No impact

Under 18: Positive high

Women: Positive low

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: Much less carbon released

Environmental health: Does not improve environmental health

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Water use: Much less water used

Problem

Lack of Personalized Agronomic Guidance: This encompasses the absence of tailored advice for smallholder farmers, particularly in cassava production, leading to challenges in optimizing crop management practices and efficient input usage.
Suboptimal Farming Strategies and Productivity: Due to limited access to personalized guidance, farmers often adopt less than ideal farming strategies, resulting in lower productivity.
Resource Inefficiency and Unsustainability: Without proper guidance, farmers may not use resources efficiently and could resort to unsustainable farming practices.

Solution

Tailored Agronomic Advice: AKILIMO provides personalized recommendations for crop management, input usage, and optimization strategies tailored to specific farm conditions and requirements.
Advanced Data Analytics: The platform uses advanced data analytics and machine learning algorithms to analyze data and provide insights into optimal farming practices, enabling farmers to receive accurate, data-driven recommendations.
Resource Optimization: AKILIMO assists farmers in optimizing the use of resources such as fertilizers, pesticides, and water through tailored recommendations, leading to improved yields and reduced input costs.
Sustainable Farming Practices: AKILIMO promotes environmentally friendly and socially responsible farming practices. By following AKILIMO’s guidance, farmers can minimize environmental impact while maximizing productivity.

Key points to design your project

AKILIMO is a digital tool designed to offer personalized agronomic advice for cassava farming, addressing common challenges such as inefficient nutrient management, weed infestation, unclear yield targets, climatic risks, and limited access to offline resources. It transforms cassava farming by optimizing production, maximizing profits, and minimizing waste.

Integrating AKILIMO Into Your Project:

Partnership : By partnering with EiA, the project can leverage advanced analytics and agronomic expertise to enhance the effectiveness of AKILIMO. At the same time, collaboration with Extension Agents can ensure that these advanced tools reach the farmers effectively and are used optimally.
Awareness and Training: Conduct dissemination events and training sessions for farmers and extension agents. This can help them understand the benefits of Akilimo and how to use it effectively.
Provide On-field Assistance: Use extension agents to offer on-field assistance to farmers using Akilimo. This could involve helping them navigate the platform, understand the advice, and apply it to their farming practices.
Accessible Interfaces: Make Akilimo available through various interfaces that farmers can interact with directly or with the help of an extension agent. Currently, Akilimo is available as a printable guide, a smartphone app, an interactive voice response (IVR) system, and a chatbot.
Demonstration Plots: Establish demonstration plots where farmers can see the effectiveness of the recommendations provided by Akilimo. This can build trust and encourage more farmers to adopt the technology.
Implement a Feedback Mechanism: Set up a feedback mechanism to understand the challenges farmers face while using Akilimo. Use this feedback to make necessary improvements and adaptations to the platform.
Expansion: Expand Akilimo to other regions and crops. Currently, recommendations are available for southern Nigeria and Tanzania, and expansion to other regions can increase its reach.

Remember, the goal is to make Akilimo a useful and accessible tool for farmers. This requires continuous effort, patience, and a strong focus on the needs of the farmers.

ROI: $$$ 2567 %

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Ghana	Tested	–Not adopted
Nigeria	Tested	Adopted
Rwanda	Tested	–Not adopted
Tanzania	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure

Goal 17: partnerships for the goals

Akilimo can be used by following the procedures below:

Download the App: The AKILIMO app is available for download on the Google Play Store.
Open the App: Once installed, open the app on your device.
Input Farm Details: You’ll be prompted to input specific details about your farm and farming practices.
Receive Personalized Advice: Based on your inputs, the app will provide personalized guidance on planting, fertilizing, and harvesting strategies to maximize yield and profit.
Implement the Advice: Apply the advice provided by the app in your cassava farming practices.

For more detailed instructions, you may want to check out the instructional videos available on the AKILIMO portal or the AKILIMO YouTube channel. Please note that the exact steps might vary depending on the version of the app. It’s always a good idea to refer to the official resources for the most accurate information.

Last updated on 30 August 2024