Publication Details
Title:
From Raindrops to Insights: AI Empowers Hyperlocal Rain tracking in Ghana.
Details:
Authors
Parissa Akefi,Laurens Beck,Alexander Edin,Ruthu Rooparaghunath,Krasen Todorov,Kairui Wang
Abstract
This paper illustrates the development and application of an AI-based system aimed at addressing
the critical need for accurate and accessible meteorological data among farmers in Northern Ghana. Due
to climate change, irregularities in the rainy season pose a significant challenge to determining optimal
crop planting times. Recognizing the importance of rainfall data for effective crop management, our
system automates the process of data collection and interpretation using Computer Vision models. The
innovation lies in the use of locally available resources: rain gauges made from plastic bottles. The
system processes images of these gauges, shared via WhatsApp, to automatically measure and visualize
the rainfall data. This solution not only enhances the scalability and reliability of the existing manual
method but also represents a sustainable approach to addressing community-driven needs in regions with
limited resources.