Agricultural extension systems in many developing countries are under immense strain. In some regions, a single extension officer serves more than 1,000 farmers, making it nearly impossible to provide timely, personalized support. As a result, millions of smallholder farmers are left without the guidance they need to improve productivity and resilience.
Digital innovation presents a powerful opportunity to transform this reality. Of the 500 million smallholder farmers worldwide—who produce nearly one-third of the world’s food—many still lack access to reliable, real-time agricultural advice. Technology-driven advisory services can bridge this gap at scale, delivering critical information directly to farmers through mobile phones and digital devices.
However, adoption remains low. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only about 5% of farmers currently use digital advisory tools, highlighting a significant opportunity for growth and impact. There is an urgent need for scalable solutions that provide high-quality, accessible, and farmer-centered digital support.
The Moonshots for Development Open Innovation Challenge is offering up to $360,000 per selected team to support AI4Good AgriTech solutions. The initiative seeks startups developing digital tools that improve the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of agricultural and rural advisory services. Priority areas include data-driven extension platforms, automated decision-support systems, and innovations that strengthen local institutions serving farming communities.
Solutions integrating artificial intelligence are strongly encouraged, as AI can enhance data analysis, improve forecasting, and tailor advisory services to individual farmer needs.
Applications close on March 30, 2026. Apply
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