LocationsHow the UNDP Accelerator Lab in Zambia and Mukuba UniPod is supporting Nchimunya on his journey to transform small-holder farming with AI and data-driven technology.
Agrarian AI – The Future of Agriculture in Zambia
July 1, 2024
Nchimunya pictured at the Mukuba UniPod where he engages in research and design for the Netagrows Technologies
Growing up in Southern Province – a province known for its large, healthy cows, and lush green fields, Nchimunya Munyama used to help his grandfather tend his fields of maize, tomatoes, and groundnuts. This is where he first witnessed the challenges small-holder farmers faced due to pests, sweeping crop diseases, and lack of reliable information.
“When I was growing up, I saw my grandfather relied on traditional practices, often battling unpredictable weather, pests, and lack of information on crop health. This resulted in significant crop loss and limited yields, impacting our family's income and food security”, – noted Nchimunya.
Nchimunya’s burning desire to address the challenge he saw his grandfather faced with farming birthed Netagrow Technologies, an AI and data-driven digital enterprise to fill the information gap small-holder farmers experience. Netagrow provides credible and timely information to optimise crop yield by guiding crop harvest schedules in Zambia. Solutions like Netagrow Technologies, the AI and data-driven digital enterprise, are transforming the future of small holder farming in Zambia.
Nchimunya showing a farmer how to use the Netagrow Technologies application
A Boost for Nchimunya’s Innovation
Through UNDP’s Accelerator Lab’s National Innovation Initiative, in 2021 Nchimunya received laptop, entrepreneurial training, mentorship, and funding which he utilised to develop the first application prototype. The Netagrow application supports over 5000 smaller-holder farmers in Zambia to reach more than 1000 farming experts who provide insights on pests, diseases, growth, and other agricultural related issues. The farmers are also able to have access to market to sell bulk produce to credible buyers.
An innovator utilizing state-of-the-art machinery at Mukuba UniPod
Looking for the ideal environment to improve his innovation, Nchimunya finds solace in the Mukuba University Innovation Pod (Unipod) powered by timbuktoo, where he continued to dedicate time, apply his skills, and pour his energy into Netagrow. In the Unipod, he now has access a wide range of support services including mentorship, digital technologies for software development and maintenance, and fabrication machinery. He is planning to launch the Netagrow Device, an innovative hardware solution that will collect comprehensive environmental data to deepen the quality of insights shared with the farmers. He is also experimenting with automation capabilities like precision irrigation, based on real-time data, further streamlining farm operations.
“The support for Netagrow has been invaluable. Financially, the UNDP Accelerator Lab provided crucial resources for developing the Netagrow mobile app and launching it on major app stores. Now, the expertise and mentorship programs at the Unipod have equipped me with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of bringing an innovative solution to market”, shared Nchimunya.
Netagrow technologies application
With over 70% of Zambian farmers relying on traditional farming practices that are not adapted to the fast-changing climate, and not informed by real-time data insights, Nchimunya’s intervention is timely and geared towards the benefit of farmers. He started with just an idea and no access to technological equipment, however his resilience and passion continue to drive him.
“My vision for Netagrow is to be the leading force in data-driven agriculture across Africa within the next five to ten years. I see Netagrow empowering thousands of farmers, significantly reducing crop loss, and fostering a generation of informed and prosperous agricultural entrepreneurs”, said Nchimunya.
Mukuba UniPod is one of the thirteen Unipods established in leading universities under the timbuktoo initiative. So far Unipods are in Benin, Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda. The timbuktoo Unipod is providing young people, students, academic researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs with a space to experiment, connect, learn, launch bold and ambitious ideas and bring these to scale to solve complex development issues on the continent. Since its launch in February 2024, innovators like Nchimunya have been provided with a space to connect with like-minded people, test out their ideas and access an ever-growing learning network to exchange lessons and enhance their own skills and entrepreneurial abilities.
Watch full video on how Nchimunya’s intervention is transforming small-holder farmers with AI and data-driven technology.