Agriculture is the backbone of East Africa’s economy, yet millions of farmers face daily struggles to grow enough food to sustain their families. The challenges are clear: poor soil management, lack of affordable soil testing, limited access to market information, and the devastating impacts of climate change. Traditional methods are outdated, expensive, and inaccessible for rural farmers. This leaves them guessing about which crops to plant, leading to poor yields, food insecurity, and poverty.
In Uganda alone, over 70% of the population relies on farming, but unpredictable weather patterns, degraded soils, and rising costs make farming an uphill battle. Similarly, in Kenya and Tanzania, small-scale farmers are losing crops to erratic rainfall and droughts because they lack tools to adapt. The effects are not just on farmers but on entire communities, as food shortages drive up prices and stall economic growth.
This is where Soilla steps in as a game-changer. Soilla is a mobile and web app that combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to provide farmers with real-time, affordable solutions to grow better crops and earn more income.
How Soilla Battles Current Problems
1.Affordable Soil Testing- Farmers no longer need expensive labs. With Soilla, they can take a picture of their soil, and the app provides instant analysis, recommending the best crops to plant. This saves time, money, and reduces errors.
2.Climate Adaptation- Soilla helps farmers adapt to climate change by providing IoT-based real-time data on soil moisture, temperature, and weather patterns. Farmers know exactly when to plant, water, or fertilize, reducing the risks caused by unpredictable weather.
3.Boosting Income- By providing daily market prices, Soilla ensures farmers sell their produce at the best prices, maximizing their profits.
4. Community and Collaboration- The app connects farmers, enabling them to share knowledge, access resources, and find services like seed suppliers or agricultural experts.
5.Sustainability- By promoting better soil management, Soilla reduces land degradation, improves productivity, and helps combat food insecurity.
Why This Matters
In the face of the climate crisis, small-scale farmers need innovative tools to survive and thrive. Soilla doesn’t just offer solutions; it empowers farmers to adapt, improve yields, and secure their future. By bridging the gap between modern technology and traditional farming, Soilla is building resilient communities, reducing hunger, and driving economic growth in East Africa.
With Soilla, we’re not just tackling problems—we’re creating opportunities and paving the way for sustainable agriculture, food security in a changing world.
For instance, in Uganda, farmers lose up to 40% of their potential yields due to poor soil management and lack of accurate information. In Kenya, small-scale farmers contribute 70% of the food supply but face the same struggles with outdated soil testing methods that are too expensive or inaccessible. In Tanzania, unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change further complicate farming decisions, yet farmers rarely have tools to help them adapt.
Traditional soil testing methods, like sending samples to labs, are costly, time-consuming, and often impractical in rural areas. Farmers cannot afford the fees, travel, or wait times, leaving them without the knowledge needed to improve their practices. As a result, crops fail, families go hungry, and communities miss out on the potential for economic growth.
The Soilla App revolutionizes farming by putting affordable, cutting-edge technology into the hands of farmers.
1.AI-Powered Soil Analysis- Imagine a farmer in a remote village in Uganda. Instead of traveling to a lab, they take a photo of their soil using the Soilla app. Within seconds, the app analyzes the soil type and suggests the best crops to grow. This eliminates the need for expensive experts and minimizes errors, empowering farmers with knowledge to improve yields.
2.IoT Sensor Monitoring-A farmer in Kenya receives real-time data on soil moisture and temperature from IoT sensors connected to the app. They know exactly when to water their crops, saving water in drought-prone regions.
Makerere University
Kakebe Technologies
BetterLife AgroTourism Farm Ltd
FAO- Uganda
Ministry of Water and Environment Uganda.
ICCB International- Kenya
FADECO- Tanzania
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries- Uganda