In the evolving landscape of AI for agriculture, the future lies in hyper-personalization and multimodal models. AI will increasingly use diverse data sources, which include images and videos, to offer personalized solutions. The focus is on enhancing localization, predicting trends, and addressing challenges, such as climate change and market fluctuations. As AI becomes more integrated, institutions should embrace its transformative potential to benefit smallholder farmers, ensure the services are tailored to their unique needs, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agriculture ecosystem.
Leveraging AI for climate resilient
Our recent work in Bihar highlighted climate change’s persistent impact, which led to disruptions from heat waves, droughts, and floods over the past decade. This has led to a significant increase in pest infestations for farmers. Bangladesh also observed similar challlenges where extreme heat and saline land from previous cyclones complicated land preparation. Erratic rainfall delayed and dried seeds, followed by torrential downpours that flooded and washed away crops. Cyclone Amphan further worsened conditions. It wiped out standing crops and introduced saline water, which made the soil less fertile. We worked with CGAP in Bangladesh and DECODIS in Nigeria on a macro scale and found climate change’s adverse effects on livelihood capitals. Now, in collaboration with the Government of India, Agristack, and the Government of Bihar, we intend to address these challenges by integrating a digital farmer services platform, which uses technology to enhance agricultural production, financing, and market linkages.
Voices of India’s MSMEs: Insights notes from The Diaries – Edition 1
The first note in this series of notes—Insights note-Edition 1—covers aspects related to the business finances of informal enterprises (IEs) and how external factors affect them. It also unpacks informal enterprises’ adoption of digital technology and how they use it in business.
The note discusses examples from MSC’s Financial Diaries research on IEs to validate the findings. It also provides recommendations for policymakers and financial service providers to address IEs’ challenges.
The use of digital platforms for business—insights from Women’s Business Diaries in Bangladesh
This note uses data from surveys, daily diaries data, and qualitative interviews to unpack how female business owners in Bangladesh use digital platforms for business and examine their challenges. This note is a part of the ‘The Big Smalls of Bangladesh’ series under the Women’s Business Diaries project in Bangladesh.
The role locally-led adaptation plays to build climate resilience – Part 2
The many aspects of Financial Inclusion
MicroSave Consulting (MSC) is a boutique consulting firm that has, for 25 years, pushed the world towards meaningful financial, social, and economic inclusion. These podcast series are hosted by MSC for dedicated founders, start-ups, investors, and other stakeholders in the startup ecosystem. Through this bouquet of curated conversations around developments in the financial inclusion space, we offer insights and lessons based on our research and expertise.
The role locally led adaptation plays to build climate resilience 2
In this second episode of our two-part series, Pranav Singh, a climate change expert at MSC, engages Tahira Mohamed, an interdisciplinary social scientist at ILRI, and Wendy Chamberlin, a development professional focusing on building climate resilience among pastoralists. They look at the value of equitable engagement and indigenous knowledge while shedding light on the role of financial inclusion and local governments in empowering pastoralist communities.
The role locally-led adaptation plays to build climate resilience – Part 1
The many aspects of Financial Inclusion
MicroSave Consulting (MSC) is a boutique consulting firm that has, for 25 years, pushed the world towards meaningful financial, social, and economic inclusion. These podcast series are hosted by MSC for dedicated founders, start-ups, investors, and other stakeholders in the startup ecosystem. Through this bouquet of curated conversations around developments in the financial inclusion space, we offer insights and lessons based on our research and expertise.
The role locally led adaptation plays to build climate resilience 1
In this podcast, Pranav Singh, a climate change expert at MSC, is joined by Tahira Mohamed, an interdisciplinary social scientist at ILRI and Wendy Chaplin, a development professional who works to build climate resilience among pastoralists. In this first episode of a two-part series, the speakers share their thoughts on the inequitable impact of climate change on female pastoralists.