How Tanzanian farmers are using AI to adapt to climate change. From traditional methods to precision agriculture - discover local innovation
William Karatibu is a lifelong bean and maize farmer. Like many in his region, he grew up learning to read the land. His parents taught him how to interpret ant patterns, cloud movements, and the feel of the wind to predict rain. But Tanzania’s climate is changing, and weather patterns have become erratic. Heatwaves scorch the earth, followed by unexpected floods. Rains either arrive late, or not at all.
“I’ve been doing exactly what my parents taught me – following their methods just like they showed me. But recently, it became more difficult because the traditional ways of observation are less valuable with the current conditions. The methods my parents taught me are not working anymore” says Karatibu. The signs he once trusted stopped working, his crops failed, his income dropped and food became uncertain.
This is not a unique story. Across Tanzania, the impacts of climate change are intensifying.
While Karatibu’s challenges aren’t unique, what is unusual is how he responded. One evening, while searching online for solutions, he came across an ad for Rada360: a precision agriculture company. The platform leverages satellite earth observation data and AI analytics to help smallholder farmers with real-time crop monitoring in Tanzania adapt to climate risks.
“I was experiencing so much loss that I tried to look for a solution. I went online and found out about Rada360 and understood that they were doing precision farming. To me ‘precision’ means high accuracy,” he says. With Rada360’s hyperlocal weather forecasts, Karatibu changed how he farmed and saw results from one season to the next. “With Rada360,” he says, “I’ve never counted any loss. Because through their technology I now know my soil status and nutrition. I now know when I should plant.”
Now, neighbouring farmers ask him how he gets his plants so shiny and green. His income increased, and his family has more food security. Stories like Karatibu’s offer a glimpse of what is possible: when local knowledge is paired with targeted innovation, communities can adapt, thrive, and address the dual urgency of climate change and information gaps.
Essa Mohamedali is a Tanzanian AI strategist, community builder, and start-up mentor dedicated to shaping inclusive, responsible, and locally grounded AI ecosystems across Africa.
“One key insight is that AI in Africa is being driven by grassroots communities – passionate individuals, recent graduates, and first-time founders,” he says.
