Tech-Powered Solutions Combatting Food Insecurity in Botswana

Tumo Kgabeng, at the age of 24, has emerged as a driving force in the agricultural transformation of Botswana through his role as the Chief Technical Officer at Anton Tech. The company, initially conceived during the Botho Hacks 2021 hackathon, evolved into an AI research startup with a mission to revolutionize the agriculture industry and combat the pressing issue of food security in Botswana.

Kgabeng’s journey in computer programming began at a young age, with him delving into Python basics at 14. By 17, he was already pursuing a BSc in Computer Systems Engineering and actively engaged in the developer community. With experiences as a React Engineering Developer and leading a Google Developer Student Club during his college years, Kgabeng’s technical expertise laid a solid foundation for his subsequent ventures.

Anton Tech’s Agritech solution stands out for its innovative approach, utilizing deep learning to address longstanding challenges in traditional agricultural practices. The technology employs image data from various sources, including drones, satellites, or devices with cameras, to detect pests, diseases, and soil organic carbon levels. This enables real-time crop and animal disease detection, precision farming through drone-assisted data collection, and centralized data analytics.

The solution caters to the inefficiencies in current methods of tracking agricultural issues, where the turnaround time for applying expert advice can take months. Anton Tech’s platform streamlines the process, allowing users to submit images of plants through messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Twitter. Neural networks then analyze the images, providing prompt identification of diseases and recommending appropriate treatments.

Anton Tech’s precision farming endeavors add another layer of sophistication to their agricultural innovations. By deploying drones to gather data at scale, they empower farmers to pinpoint specific areas on their farms in need of treatment. This precise targeting enhances efficiency, steering away from the conventional practice of broadly applying herbicides and pesticides across entire farms. This approach not only optimizes the use of resources but also contributes to more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices. Anton Tech’s commitment to such advanced methodologies showcases their dedication to revolutionizing agriculture with cutting-edge technology.

Anton Tech’s influence reaches beyond on-the-ground innovations, as their centralized data analytics play a pivotal role in transforming the agricultural landscape. The analytics dashboard they provide becomes a powerful tool for government parastatals, enabling them to digitize and aggregate data effectively. This sophisticated platform facilitates the visualization of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and empowers stakeholders to identify crucial patterns and trends across the entire agricultural value chain. By bringing data-driven insights to the forefront, Anton Tech contributes significantly to informed decision-making and strategic planning within the agricultural sector, fostering a more resilient and responsive industry.

Absolutely, Tumo Kgabeng’s trajectory exemplifies the impactful intersection of youth-driven initiatives and technological innovation. His evolution from a self-taught programmer to the Chief Technical Officer of Anton Tech signifies the potent role young talents play in addressing pressing global concerns like food security. Anton Tech’s dedication to harnessing AI for agricultural enhancement highlights the transformative capabilities of technology, paving the way for sustainable farming practices in Botswana and beyond. This narrative resonates as a compelling testament to the positive influence that determined individuals, coupled with cutting-edge technology, can exert on critical issues shaping our world.