^{By Dessalew Yohannes}

Africa is home to 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, yet the continent remains a net food importer, spending over $43 billion annually on food imports, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB). The paradox of abundant land and low productivity is attributed to multiple factors— climate variability, poor access to modern farming techniques and the lack of data-driven decision-making in agriculture among them. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that extreme climate events have reduced agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa by 34% since 1961. Ethiopia, where agriculture contributes nearly 40% of GDP and employs 80% of the population, is an example. Unpredictable weather patterns there significantly impact the yields of smallholder farmers face. Data-informed solutions are necessary to reduce the vulnerability of farmers who risk reduced output, which leads to more food insecurity. 

The potential of data-driven agriculture to address this massive problem is immense: McKinsey estimates that digital agriculture solutions could increase global agricultural productivity by up to 70% by 2050. On January 17, 2025, Jimma University launched a Data Science Hub to pioneer a shift toward data-driven agriculture in Ethiopia. By integrating AI and machine learning into farming, the project seeks to create an intelligent agricultural system that is both predictive and adaptive. 

Data analytics can be used to enable farmers to optimize irrigation, predict rainfall and improve soil health, thus reducing post-harvest losses, which currently stand at 30% for cereals in Ethiopia, according to the World Bank. The Jimma University Data Science Hub represents a much-needed bridge between scientific research and practical agricultural application. The initiative, led by Dessalew Yohannes Bogale, a Data and Web Engineer and Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) Grand Challenges Africa grantee, seeks to integrate climate data with farming practices to improve productivity and resilience. 

A Collaborative Effort to Future-Proof Farming 

The SFA Foundation prioritises the conversion of research innovations into practical solutions. The Foundation’s Dr Fatu Badiane noted that, “SFA Foundation is passionate about ensuring that research leads to real-world impact. The Data Science Hub at Jimma University is a critical step toward equipping Africa’s agricultural sector with the tools it needs to thrive.”  Says Epherem Tadesse, a former AI center team lead and senior data scientist at Tenacious Intelligence, “Data science is not just about analyzing numbers; it’s about making informed decisions that drive real change. The Jimma University initiative is a catalyst for an agricultural revolution in Africa.” 

A Blueprint for Africa’s Agricultural Transformation 

A World Bank report estimates that precision agriculture could reduce input costs by 30% and increase yields by 25%. Jimma University’s model has the potential to be replicated across Africa, potentially revolutionizing the agricultural sector. 

The new Jimma University Data Science Hub intends to scale its impact by building extensive climate datasets, training local researchers and developing AI-driven farming models. The success of this initiative will be measured not just by research publications but by tangible outcomes—higher crop yields, reduced losses and improved farmer resilience. The engagement and commitment of policymakers and stakeholders in support of this initiative is vital to ensure its success.

About the Author(s)

Dessalew Yohannes

Yohannes is a grantee of the SFA Foundation's Grand Challenges Africa initative, climate and agriculture adaptation cohort.