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Spotted: The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) highlights the importance of research and innovation across food, land, and water systems to achieve a climate-resilient and food-secure world. With most agricultural smallholdings located in the Global South, the African continent will play a paramount role in meeting universal food needs while mitigating climate risk.

One organisation working to improve the effectiveness of farming techniques, all while increasing farmers’ incomes and reducing environmental damage, is Pan-African climate agtech company Tolbi. Tolbi uses artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite imagery to provide data on crop yield, carbon sequestration, and other land use data to farmers, financial institutions, and other organisations in the food industry.

Tolbi’s satellite imagery is global, providing crop-level data anywhere in the world. For growers, the e-Tolbi tool helps calculate how much water and fertiliser is needed in each field, tracks the health of each crop throughout the growing season, and predicts the volume of yield. For producers without internet access, Tolbi provides a phone call service to distribute relevant data and updates. Tolbi data is also translated into a range of different languages to best serve the needs of small growers.

Banks, insurers, distributors, and retailers can use the e-Tolbi tool to help support growers financially and provide product traceability throughout the supply chain. For companies, Tolbi also offers Digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (DMRV) technology to track and measure emission offset programmes. The platform connects organisations seeking ways to support more sustainable food systems with growers participating in certified carbon offset projects.

From agtech subscription services to cash crops and market access, innovations in Springwise’s library show the myriad ways in which technological developments are improving the financial stability and environmental impact of smallholders.

Written By: Keely Khoury