Grow Further is backing a breakthrough mobile app in Tanzania that uses artificial intelligence to detect crop diseases early. Developed with the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), the app helps farmers protect their maize and bean harvests before disease spreads.
The goal: reach 400,000 farmers in five years, 5 million in twenty, boosting yields, income, and climate resilience.
Maize is Tanzania’s most important staple crop, and beans are a key protein source. But pests and diseases can wipe out entire harvests. Early detection prevents most losses. This app puts cutting-edge tech into farmers’ hands. It’s simple, fast, and effective.
Farmers expected to be reached in five years, boosting yields, incomes, and resilience.
Climate change increases crop disease risks. This tool helps farmers adapt. Fewer losses mean more stable harvests, less reliance on chemicals, and a stronger food system.
The project builds on proven success. More than 67,000 farmers already use a similar banana disease identification app developed by the same team. Now, they are training a new AI model with hundreds of thousands of crop images. The app will be delivered through farmer cooperatives to maximize access, even for farmers without smartphones.
Smallholder farmers are actively shaping the app’s design and functionality to ensure it meets real-world needs. Their input guides design, testing, and rollout to ensure it works in the field and fits their needs.
Timely disease diagnosis leads to faster and more effective interventions, preserving yields and Fast, accurate diagnosis means faster action. Farmers lose less and earn more.
