In Burundi, a group of university students made a new app to help farmers. The app helps farmers fight plant diseases and grow more crops. Many farmers in Burundi face big problems with their crops. This app is changing their lives for the better.
Two years ago, students Eli Bubuwa and Dieudonné Abanabimana from Ngozi University had an idea. They wanted to make a tool for small farmers. This tool would help protect their crops. It would also help farmers get more food from their land.
Eli said many crops get sick and die. This causes big losses. The app helps find diseases fast. When farmers know what is wrong, they can act quickly. Eli said, “We want to stop crop diseases. We want farmers to get good harvests.”
Farmers use the app by taking pictures of sick plants. The app tells them what disease the plants have. There are other apps like this one. But this app is made to fit the needs of local farmers in Burundi.
The app uses local languages like Kirundi and Swahili. It also has an audio feature. This means farmers who cannot read can still use it. Eli said, “We want everyone to use it easily.”
The app started in late 2023. Dival Mvugusi, a farmer in western Burundi, began using it last year. He grows potatoes. He is part of a farming group called Tugwizumuimbu in Bujumbura Rural Province. Dival said he got only one ton of potatoes before. After using the app, he got two to three tons from the same seeds.
About 500 people use the app now. The students visit villages to teach farmers about it. They listen to farmers’ ideas and problems. They want to make the app better.
But not all farmers can use the app. Elene Nishimirimana, a farmer, said it is hard to get good seeds and rich soil. She also does not have a phone. She said, “That is why I am not very interested yet.”
Some farmers want the app to work offline. Dival said if farmers can use the app without the internet, many more can use it. Right now, the app needs internet to answer questions and give advice.
Didas Nyindabira is another farmer. He grows potatoes, cassava, and maize. He says sharing knowledge is very important. Farmers must know how to treat crops well. They also must avoid bad chemicals. He hopes the app will soon have tips to treat diseases without pesticides.
The app is used in schools too. The students show agriculture students how to use the app. This way, they can help farmers later. But the app makers do not have money yet. They need sponsors to help them grow the app.
Dieudonné said they want to use drones next. Drones can fly over farms. They can find disease spots fast and show maps. This will save time and work for farmers.
The students have big dreams. Their app is helping farmers lose fewer crops. It is also helping farmers grow more food. With support, they want to help many more farmers in Africa.
This new app is a simple tool. It shows how new ideas can help fight hunger. It helps farmers take care of their plants better. It also helps farmers learn new ways to farm. The app works in the languages farmers speak. It even helps those who cannot read by using sound.
Farmers like Dival say the app is a big help. He can grow more potatoes now. This means he can feed his family better. It also means he can sell more crops and earn money.
This app is a bright step for Burundi. It shows how students can make big changes. It also shows how new tech can solve old problems.
But the app needs more help. The makers want to add more features. They want to reach more farmers. They want to make farming easier and safer for everyone.
In the future, this app could be a tool for all farmers in Africa. It could help stop hunger and make farming better. It could bring new hope to many people who work hard on their farms.
The story of this app is one of hope. It shows how simple ideas can grow into something big. It also shows how young people can help their communities. With the right help, this app can do great things for farmers in Burundi and beyond.
