Who: Dr. Erick Rostand Gankam Tambo, Head of Pan-African Cooperation and Educational Technologies (PACET)
When: 21–25 October 2024
Where: Niamey, Niger
Why: To foster innovation in agriculture using IoT and solar-powered solutions for sustainable development.
Through their RETO-DOSSO project, Dr. Tambo and his colleagues of the PACET division aim to transform rural Niger by using solar energy, weather information and Internet of Things (IoT) based solutions to improve access to water, boost agriculture and support businesses. The Internet of Things refers to connected devices (sensors) that collect and share data to optimize processes, such as smart irrigation and plant health monitoring systems. In October 2024, Dr. Tambo travelled to Niamey where a “hackathon” launched the RETO-DOSSO Living Lab, which is an open, collaborative space where stakeholders co-create and test innovative solutions in real-world settings. During this event, participants developed technologies to support local agri-tech entrepreneurs and enhance economic opportunities. We sat down with Dr. Tambo to learn more about this valuable mission.
What is a hackathon and what was its purpose in this setting?
A hackathon is a competitive event where teams collaborate to develop solutions for specific challenges, often integrating theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Participants design and pitch prototypes addressing issues in a defined domain, such as smart agriculture, which uses advanced technologies like IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to optimize farming practices. In the hackathon, teams tackled subdomains of smart agriculture, such as irrigation, weather monitoring and regulation in greenhouses, farm security and pest management, combining expertise in agriculture, computer science and electronics. The goal was to create innovative, marketable solutions, evaluated based on feasibility and impact. Winners could receive grants or support for further development, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in smart agriculture.
What were the most creative solutions that were developed?
The hackathon produced innovative solutions tailored to local challenges, including an AI-driven pest management system using cameras to monitor and address infestations, a smart irrigation system and a greenhouse ventilation solution. The winner, whose solution focused on smart irrigation, stood out by effectively addressing all evaluation criteria and delivering a convincing pitch, but the competition was close. Other solutions were highly innovative and could have won as well. The event highlighted not only creativity but also the importance of practicality and strong presentation skills in developing solutions that meet local needs, which is how the winner came out on top.
Furthermore, by introducing modern agricultural technologies and solutions, the event promoted efficiency and innovation in agriculture. These solutions not only aim to improve livelihoods but also provide a transformative approach to farming, addressing unemployment and enhancing agricultural productivity. The ideas developed have the potential to be widely used, and they can therefore benefit both local and broader communities, for example through the Living Lab: an open, collaborative space where stakeholders co-create and test innovative solutions.
How can local organizations continue the work of the Living Lab and what key factors will determine the lab’s success?
To ensure the Living Lab’s continued success, maintaining a collaborative environment is essential. For example, local organizations and other stakeholders are able to use both the physical infrastructure, such as sensors and irrigation systems, as well as the digital tools, such as dashboards for collection and analysis of sensor and weather data. Additional key factors for the Lab’s success include providing access to open-source Smart-Agri Hack Kits or frameworks – consisting of the data dashboard and e-learning resources – and an environment for the organization of future hackathons. The Lab’s replicable model allows it to expand to other regions, with the methodology and materials from the hackathon available for adoption. Ongoing research collaborations will also be crucial in refining agricultural solutions and addressing complex issues, such as the integration of open source crop-models into the dashboard for crop-specific irrigation for their respective growing phase and local weather conditions.
What aspects of this field mission were particularly meaningful to you?
As head of the academic section, I am typically focused on management, so being in the field with the youth was a refreshing and engaging change. I was particularly impressed by the start-up innovators SaraTech we collaborated with, as well as the local partners CIPMEN and the WASCAL programme in Niger for the setup of the living lab and organization of the hackathon. They are already making significant strides in educating people in Niger about IoT in agriculture, using kits to teach students how to design technology from scratch. Their passion and resourcefulness were truly inspiring. While they face challenges like relying on international production, with the right local support, they have the potential to scale their work, create jobs and improve livelihoods for people in Niger and beyond.
