Chris Houston: Humanitarian Grand Challenge Request for Proposals

Jessica Agnew, Ph.D., Associate Director of CALS Global, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, explores the potential of blockchain to solve global food security challenges. Introducing their Laser Pulse project’s unique user-based design, creating ‘stickiness’ and encouraging long-term use. 

Benedicto Hosea, CEO at Mboni ya Vijana, partnering with Plant Village, explains how have implemented a global AI app to help farmers in Tanzania with detecting pests in staple crops, and further improve their knowledge for resilience. 

Worlali Senyo, Head of Corporate Services at Farmerline, explores how to encourage (small-holder) farmers to digitize and inspire social behavioral change for more resilience and agricultural productivity. 

 Sonja Perakis, Senior Market Monitoring Advisor, and Janeen Cayetano, Data and Geospatial Analyst, at Catholic Relief Services discuss the importance of data-driven response to food security and explain how to get started with a market monitoring dashboard.  

Leila Toplic, Head of Emerging Technologies Initiative at NetHope, demonstrates how AI can assist vulnerable communities in adapting to the effects of climate change. She shares three examples on anticipatory action, climate-smart agriculture, and AI for environmental protection.

[Publication referenced ‘Digital for Climate Adaptation and Resilience’]

Anthony Whitbread, Principal Scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), demonstrates how big data is being used to support livestock farming. 

Franziska Atwii, Team Lead of the Innovation Lab in Kampala at Welthungerhilfe, shares how they are scaling and customizing agriculture extension apps for each country to better support small holder farmers.  

Nixon Mageka Gecheo, Senior Program Officer, Digital Systems & Solutions for Agriculture at AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa), shares lessons learned and examples of using digital agriculture innovations in Africa.  

Thembani Malapela, Knowledge and Information Management Officer at FAO e-agriculture, explains what impact digital technologies and data have to improve global food systems and address the current food crisis. 

Dr. Sanjana Hattotuwa, Special Advisor at the ICT4Peace Foundation, offers advice for civil society organization to better use their online presence and social media for peace building efforts.