About the project

Using Artificial Intelligence to support farmers and sustainable agriculture in Africa

BRIDGE-AI is a European project that aims to help farmers in Africa make better decisions by using advanced digital tools based on artificial intelligence (AI).

The project focuses on rural areas in Nigeria, Kenya and Tunisia, where agriculture is essential for people’s livelihoods, but is increasingly affected by climate change, water scarcity and soil degradation. In many of these regions, farmers rely heavily on rainfall, which makes their crops vulnerable to changing weather patterns and extreme conditions.

At the same time, access to digital tools, data and technical support is often limited. This makes it difficult for farmers to plan their activities and respond to challenges.

BRIDGE-AI addresses this situation by developing tools that combine satellite data, weather information, and field measurements with artificial intelligence. These tools provide farmers with practical advice to help them manage their crops more effectively and sustainably.

All this information is presented in a simple and understandable way, so it can be easily used in everyday farming activities.

A strong Europe-Africa partnership

Helping farmers make better decisions

BRIDGE-AI develops digital tools that transform complex environmental and agricultural data into practical recommendations, helping farmers make informed decisions in their everyday activities.

Supporting agriculture in a changing climate

The project helps farmers respond to challenges such as drought, changing weather patterns and water scarcity by providing information that supports more sustainable and resilient farming practices.

Making artificial intelligence accessible

BRIDGE-AI uses Generative Artificial Intelligence to make advanced technologies easier to understand and use. The project develops user-friendly solutions adapted to rural communities and low-connectivity environments.

Working together

Farmers, researchers, cooperatives, SMEs and public authorities actively contribute to the design and testing of the project’s solutions through Living Labs in Nigeria, Kenya and Tunisia.

Building skills for the future

Through training activities, workshops and educational resources, BRIDGE-AI helps strengthen digital skills and supports the adoption of innovative technologies across local communities and organisations.

Creating lasting impact

The project aims to ensure that its solutions can be adopted beyond the pilot regions, contributing to the wider use of innovative technologies for sustainable agriculture and rural development across Africa.

Project phases

1 Listening and Learning

The project starts by working directly with farmers, cooperatives and local communities in Nigeria, Kenya and Tunisia to better understand their needs, challenges and priorities. These insights help ensure that the solutions developed are relevant and useful in each local context.

2 Turning data into useful tools

BRIDGE-AI combines satellite imagery, weather information, field sensors and artificial intelligence to create digital tools that help farmers make informed decisions. The aim is to transform complex data into simple and practical recommendations that can be used in everyday farming.

3 Testing on real farms

The tools are tested in real agricultural environments through four pilot cases focused on maize, mushrooms, pastures and pomegranates. This allows the project to evaluate how the solutions perform in practice and adapt them to different farming systems and conditions.

4 Working hand in hand with communities

Farmers and local stakeholders are actively involved throughout the project through Living Labs. These collaborative spaces allow users to test the tools, share feedback and help shape solutions that respond to local needs and realities.

5 Sharing knowledge and building skills

BRIDGE-AI provides training, workshops and learning opportunities to help farmers, entrepreneurs and local organisations understand and use new digital technologies. The project aims to ensure that communities can benefit from these tools long after the project ends.

6 Expanding the impact

The final step is to share the knowledge and solutions developed so they can be adopted in other regions and agricultural contexts. By promoting collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange, BRIDGE-AI seeks to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for agriculture across Africa.

Helping farmers make better decisions through accessible digital tools, while promoting more sustainable, resilient and climate-smart agriculture across Africa

Methodology

From data to better farming decisions

BRIDGE-AI combines technology, local knowledge and collaboration to develop practical solutions for agriculture in Africa. The project uses information from satellites, weather forecasts and field sensors, together with Artificial Intelligence, to help farmers better understand their environment and make more informed decisions.

Working with local communities

BRIDGE-AI is developed together with farmers, cooperatives, researchers and local organisations in Nigeria, Kenya and Tunisia. Their knowledge and experience help ensure that the solution responds to real needs and challenges.

Turning information into practical advice

By combining different sources of data, the project transforms complex information into clear and accessible recommendations on crop management, water and climate adaptation.

Testing in real-life conditions

The solutions are validated through pilot projects in different agricultural contexts, allowing farmers and stakeholders to test the tools and provide feedback throughout the process.

Learning together

Training activities, workshops and Living Labs help communities develop digital skills and make the most of the technologies developed by the project.

Building long-term impact

BRIDGE-AI aims to create solutions that can continue to support farmers beyond the project, contributing to more resilient, productive and sustainable agricultural systems across Africa.

Pilot Regions

BRIDGE-AI validates its solutions in real agricultural environments across Nigeria, Kenya and Tunisia. Each pilot addresses different crops, challenges and local realities, helping ensure that the tools developed can deliver practical benefits for farmers and communities.

Supporting climate-smart maize farming

Maize is a key crop for food security and livelihoods in Nigeria. Through this pilot, BRIDGE-AI helps farmers better anticipate climate conditions and make informed decisions about planting, harvesting and crop management. The goal is to improve resilience, reduce risks and support more sustainable production.

NIGERIA

Driving innovation in mushroom farming

Mushroom cultivation requires carefully controlled growing conditions. In Kenya, BRIDGE-AI develops tools that help farmers monitor their production environment and optimise growing conditions. The pilot also promotes the involvement of young people and women in digital agriculture and innovation .

KENYA

Improving pasture management

Pasturelands are essential for many farming communities in Tunisia. This pilot combines environmental information and digital tools to help farmers better understand pasture growth and make more informed grazing decisions, supporting sustainable land management and climate adaptation.

TUNISIA

Enhancing pomegranate production

Pomegranate growers face increasing challenges related to water availability and changing climate conditions. BRIDGE-AI supports farmers by providing tailored recommendations to improve irrigation, crop management and harvest planning, helping increase productivity and resource efficiency.

TUNISIA