Across Africa, smallholder farmers and fruit distributors face crop loss caused by undetected fruit diseases, poor quality produce, and inefficient post-harvest practices. Valor AI, an agri-tech startup founded by Abayomi Harmony Iremitide, is addressing these pain points head-on.
The platform leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision to help farmers and distributors detect fruit diseases early, assess produce quality, and implement actionable recommendations that reduce post-harvest losses.
In this edition of Techparley’s DRIVE100, where we spotlight Africa’s most impactful startups, we turn our attention to how Valor AI is transforming African agriculture by helping farmers and fruit distributors detect diseases, assess quality, and reduce post-harvest losses using AI-powered solutions.
“Valor AI helps farmers and fruit distributors detect fruit diseases, assess quality, and reduce post-harvest losses. This empowers them to increase yield, improve revenue, deliver healthier produce to consumers, and minimize food waste,” Harmony told Techparley.
How Valor AI Works
According to the team, Valor AI operates via a user-friendly mobile application designed for both urban distributors and smallholder farmers in remote regions. Its core features include:
- Disease Detection: AI models accurately identify fruit diseases in real-time.
- Quality Assessment: Evaluate the ripeness and overall quality of produce.
- Actionable Recommendations: Guidance on treatment, storage, and handling.
- Offline and Multilingual Support: Ensures accessibility even in areas with limited internet and diverse local languages.
The benefits, Harmony says, include reduced food waste, higher crop yields, increased revenue, and safer, healthier produce for consumers.
Standing Out in a Competitive Landscape
While competitors such as Plantix, AgroAI, and PEAT’s Plant Disease Identifier operate in similar spaces, Valor AI distinguishes itself through accessibility and usability.
Its offline capabilities and multilingual support make it uniquely suited for smallholder farmers in remote areas, an often overlooked demographic in agri-tech solutions.
“Valor AI is not just another app; it’s a practical tool that delivers real-time insights, even without internet connectivity,” Harmony emphasises.
Milestones and Market Traction
Since its inception, Valor AI has achieved significant milestones:
- Developed a functional AI-powered mobile app for fruit disease detection and quality assessment.
- Won a major hackathon and placed second at the Africa SME Assembly.
- Attracted early adoption and positive feedback from farmers and distributors.
Harmony say these achievements signal not just technical innovation but also market validation.
Meet the Team Driving Valor AI
The startup’s strength lies in its multidisciplinary team:
- Abayomi Harmony Iremitide, Founder & CEO: Combines full-stack development expertise with a passion for AI-driven solutions.
- Chibuzor Nwachukwu, Data & AI Engineer: Ensures the accuracy of disease detection models.
- Freda Efod, Data Analyst: Translates complex data into actionable insights for farmers.
This blend of technical skill and real-world agricultural understanding positions Valor AI to tackle the challenges of African fruit farming effectively.
Overcoming Challenges
Valor AI has faced hurdles such as limited local agricultural data, low technology accessibility, scepticism towards AI, and resource constraints. The team addressed these by forming local partnerships, piloting offline and multilingual solutions, and optimising resource use.
Despite these challenges, experts say Valor AI is proof that innovation, when combined with a pragmatic understanding of local contexts, can transform sectors and improve livelihoods.
Looking further, the startup plans to integrate predictive analytics, advisory services, and continental expansion, ultimately positioning itself as a leader in AI-driven agriculture in Africa, helping millions of farmers reduce crop loss and increase productivity.
One of the most pressing challenges in African agriculture is the scale of post‑harvest loss. In Sub‑Saharan Africa, an estimated 37% of food produced is lost between harvest and consumption, according to data from the Rockefeller Foundation.
By designing models specifically for fruit disease detection and quality assessment, industry leaders say Valor AI can ensure relevance, accuracy, and practical impact, helping farmers make data-driven decisions and optimise yields.
Talking Points
It is impressive that Valor AI has designed its platform with offline and multilingual support, addressing a major barrier smallholder farmers face across Africa.
This single feature alone positions Valor AI as a practical, usable solution for farmers and fruit distributors in remote areas, enabling them to detect diseases, assess fruit quality, and take immediate action to reduce post-harvest losses.
At Techparley, we see how tools like this can accelerate agricultural digital transformation, bringing AI-driven insights to communities that have traditionally been underserved by technology.
The integration of disease detection, quality assessment, and actionable recommendations into a single platform means farmers can now operate with data-backed efficiency, similar to large agribusinesses with access to experts and laboratory testing.
As Valor AI scales, it has the potential to become a catalyst for reducing food waste and improving agricultural productivity across Africa.
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