Smallholder farmers across Africa can now access tailored advisory services for 17 different crops through our Virtual Agronomist AI platform, reflecting the growing demand from those who have already benefited from the system. With over 100,000 farmers using our service, many have experienced its value and are eager to extend its benefits to more crops.
In response, our team has continuously expanded the crop offerings to better support farmers’ diverse needs. These updates to our service enable farmers, agribusinesses, and organisations to receive personalised, location-specific recommendations to enhance yields, increase profits and improve soil health across the continent.
AI-Delivered Insights for African Farmers
Our Virtual Agronomist service leverages our extensive knowledge base, iSDAsoil soil analysis, and advisory engine to connect directly with farmers via WhatsApp. It provides tailored, easy-to-follow guidance and support for farmers on key agronomic practices, such as creating tailored nutrient plans, checking crop emergence, identifying pests and diseases, and guiding them through harvesting.
When we initially launched Virtual Agronomist back in February 2024, our advisories were focused on Kenya and Uganda, providing guidance for just three crops: rice, maize and coffee. Over the past year, we have enhanced our Virtual Agronomist service to address the specific needs and growing conditions of each region, allowing us to effectively tackle local challenges and deliver tailored knowledge that aligns with farmer’s unique circumstances.
Today, we now provide agronomic advisory for 17 crops and for all countries in Africa which include:
- Barley
- Cassava
- Coffee (Arabica and Robusta)
- Common bean
- Cotton
- Cowpea
- Green gram
- Groundnut
- Maize
- Millet
- Irish potato
- Rice (upland, lowland, ratoon)
- Sesame
- Sorghum
- Soybean
- Sugarcane
- Sunflower
With this expanded list, farmers can make more informed decisions across multiple crops, improving productivity and profitability.
A Game-Changer for African Agriculture
Photo to show sunflower crop health comparisons between farmers own practice (left) and Virtual Agronomist advisory (right)
With agriculture serving as the backbone of many African economies, millions of smallholder farmers rely on their crops for both sustenance and income. However, issues like soil degradation, changing climate, limited market access, lack of credit and insurance, and insufficient agronomic knowledge often hinder productivity. Reliable, data-driven advisory services play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by equipping farmers with the knowledge they need to make informed agronomic decisions.
The expansion of our Virtual Agronomist service ensures that farmers across Africa can now access expert recommendations tailored to their specific crops, soil conditions, and local climate. By providing actionable, science-backed advice, this service helps farmers optimise nutrient use, improve yields and enhance their soil health. As a result, Virtual Agronomist contributes not only to increased food production and household incomes, but also to greater food security and economic stability across the continent. With our latest updates, our team at iSDA continue to drive agricultural innovation, ensuring that farmers across Africa have the tools and knowledge they need to thrive.
To learn more about Virtual Agronomist, click here.
