“Last year’s income was quite high, so I decided to build a good house for me to live in, and this is what I am working on finalising.” — Dorcas Macharia, smallholder farmer, Reru
Across Africa, smallholder farmers face mounting challenges - unpredictable weather, rising input costs and limited access to expert guidance. But change is underway, driven by a new generation of science-backed tools like iSDA’s Virtual Agronomist.
How Virtual Agronomist Works
Virtual Agronomist delivers personalised, expert advice via WhatsApp, tailored to each farmer’s soil, crop and weather conditions. It guides decisions on fertiliser use, pest control and planting schedules - combining local data with cutting-edge science.
What makes it powerful is not just its precision, but its accessibility and responsiveness. Advice evolves with real farmer feedback, ensuring it stays relevant, practical and affordable.
The result? Stronger yields - and life-changing gains beyond the farm. Farmers have reported average yield increases of 1.6x and a significant reduction in wasted inputs thanks to tailored advice.
Dorcas’ Story
In Reru, Dorcas has farmed coffee and maize for more than 20 years. Until recently, her yields were modest - but with Virtual Agronomist’s guidance, things have shifted dramatically.
“Previously, I used to harvest about 2,000 kilos, but I harvested about 3,000 kilos last year due to the training.”
Before, Dorcas applied fertiliser by eye - scattering it unevenly across the surface. Now, she applies the right amount, at the right depth, improving both efficiency and output.
The difference is visible in her fields - and in her life. “My income has increased and I have built a permanent house, which I am continuing to work on finishing.”
She’s also sharing what she’s learned:
“I am trying to evangelise to everyone that this is the right path for all of us, so that all of us can benefit.”
Her cooperative is seeing the ripple effects - stronger yields, better knowledge, and greater collaboration.
Edna: Investing in Education and Empowering Others
In Mendera, coffee farmer Edna Chepng’etich echoes Dorcas’s story of growth and giving back.
“The first benefit I experience is the Virtual Agronomist training. The second one is, I have harvested more kilos.”
The increased income has enabled her to focus on her family’s future:
“I want to pay school fees since my children are in school. I want to expand my business, build my house, and help other people.”
And she’s already doing just that - empowering neighbours with the same tools that helped her.
“There’s even a woman who lives near here who has already started using it. I have taught them how to use it.”
Edna is proof that when farmers thrive, so do their communities.
More Than Yields: Real, Tangible Change
Dorcas and Edna’s experiences highlight a deeper reality: when smallholders receive personalised, trusted advice, they can build resilient livelihoods that extend far beyond the field.
With Virtual Agronomist, farmers across the continent are increasing productivity, improving soil health and using their income to invest in education, housing, and community wellbeing. This is what transformation looks like - and it’s only the beginning.
Learn More
Discover how Virtual Agronomist is helping African farmers build stronger businesses, brighter futures, and more resilient communities – visit our Impact page.
