AI Chatbot Delivers Farming Advice to Thousands of Malawi Farmers in Local Language via WhatsApp
Summary
Revolutionary AI chatbot delivers instant farming advice in local Chichewa language via WhatsApp to thousands of Malawi farmers, helping diagnose crop problems and combat climate change impacts where agricultural extension services reach only one officer per 3,000 farmers.
Key Points
- Ulangizi AI combines ChatGPT technology with government data and traditional farming knowledge to provide instant agricultural advice to small-scale farmers in Malawi through voice and text in the local Chichewa language
- The AI chatbot helps farmers diagnose crop problems, identify pest solutions, and access farming guidance through WhatsApp, filling critical gaps where only one extension officer serves approximately 3,000 farmers
- Thousands of Malawi farmers now use the tool to combat climate change impacts like droughts and floods, with success stories including pest elimination and crop recovery, though the system occasionally generates inaccurate responses requiring regular updates