Japan pilots AI projects in Zimbabwe agro, health sectors
HARARE, (CAJ News) – JAPAN is piloting an artificial intelligence and drone-based solution to aid Zimbabwe control an infestation by the quelea birds that impact on agricultural harvest.
Simultaneously, the Asian country is rolling out technological innovations to assist the Southern African country boost its health sector, in the area of child mortality.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Japan Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Innovation Challenge, is piloting AI and drone-based solutions to control quelea birds, which are a major threat to Zimbabwe’s small grain harvests.
This intervention is hailed as an environmentally friendly, tech-driven approach that supports innovation, policy dialogue, and new livelihoods through collaboration with government, private sector and research institutions.
The flurry of quelea birds is a setback to Zimbabwe, which has endured a series of droughts in recent seasons.
Japan is also working with the Zimbabwean government to harness digital innovation to address child mortality.
Child mortality refers to the probability of a child dying before their fifth birthday.
Japan has introduced the RISE initiative, featuring Bebbo 360, a mobile parenting app offering real-time, evidence-based guidance from pregnancy through early childhood.
The app will be adapted for Zimbabwean users with local languages, offline access, and personalised content.
These innovations are part of Japan’s provision of US$6,95 million in funding to the four UN agencies in Zimbabwe.
“Collectively, they will directly benefit over 86 000 people and reach hundreds of thousands more through digital platforms and life-saving messaging,” the Japanese Embassy and UN in Zimbabwe jointly stated.
– CAJ News
