- Sama’s AI technology is helping African farmers increase crop yields, leading to improved food security and reduced poverty.
- By leveraging AI, farmers can make data-driven decisions, optimising crop management, and minimising waste and environmental impact.
- Sama’s AI technology enables precision agriculture, allowing farmers to target specific areas, reducing chemical usage, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
- By adopting AI technology, African farmers can better adapt to climate change, improving their resilience to extreme weather conditions and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Sama, a leading provider of data annotation solutions, is bolstering AI-powered agricultural technology (AgTech) in Africa. The company’s aim is to enhance agricultural productivity, improve yields, ensure sustainability, and reduce environmental impact.
Sama has demonstrated encouraging results in Europe, North America, and the Middle East with its AI technology. They now plan to leverage this experience to support African farmers.
Agriculture faces numerous challenges, including increasing food demand, food safety concerns, shrinking agricultural land, and labor shortages. Annepeace Alwala, Sama’s Vice President of Global Service Delivery, highlights that AI has the capacity to tackle many of these issues in Africa. She emphasises that AI-powered computer vision applications can automate tasks such as crop monitoring, weed control, and livestock health management, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.
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Weeds, pests, and diseases significantly hinder global food production. Up to 40% of crop production is lost to pests annually, and over $220 billion is spent on plant disease control. One autonomous machine developed by Carbon Robotics can reportedly cover 15 to 20 acres a day and remove more than 100,000 weeds an hour using carbon dioxide lasers.
Drone technology, enhanced by advancements in sensors and computer vision models, is increasingly used to monitor crops and spray pesticides. This innovation helps farmers make better decisions about crop rotation, irrigation, and pesticide use. Early detection of issues allows for swift action to prevent widespread damage.
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Sama’s partnership with Precision AI has developed a computer vision model for drones that can identify images at a 0.55mm resolution while flying at 50 mph. The company aims to inspire similar advancements in Africa and support initiatives like the East African Community’s Vision 2050 plan. Sama believes that AI can address challenges such as food security, sustainability, and climate change in African agriculture.