This initiative aims connect next generation weather & climate technologies with farming communities

Innovation sprints are initiatives aimed at achieving specific outcomes in agricultural innovations, and at COP27 in Sham El-Sheik, Egypt, 22 innovation sprints were announced. The event, which followed on from COP26 in Glasgow, showcased 30 innovation sprints that align with focal areas such as smallholder farmers in low and middle-income countries, emerging technologies, agricultural research, and methane reduction. CNBC Africa's Agile de Villes spoke to Georgina Campbell Flatter, Co-founder and Executive Director of TomorrowNow.org, to discuss their NGO's involvement in these innovation sprints. Campbell highlighted the importance of connecting next-generation weather and climate technologies with farming communities in need. TomorrowNow.org, a non-profit organization, aims to bridge the gap between impactful technologies and vulnerable communities affected by climate change. One of the key technologies they are utilizing is satellite data provided by the company tomorrow.io, which offers high-resolution rain data critical for early warnings and disaster preparedness. By partnering with governments and local organizations, TomorrowNow.org is working to ensure that this technology reaches those who need it most, particularly in tropical regions like Africa. Campbell emphasized that TomorrowNow.org focuses on empowering vulnerable communities, such as smallholder farmers and youth, who play a crucial role in fighting climate change and shaping the future of agriculture. Through partnerships with organizations like CalRo, an agricultural research center in Kenya, TomorrowNow.org has been able to scale up services like SMS alerts to reach a larger number of farmers. These services are provided free of charge to benefit farmers in need of vital weather information. One of the major announcements at COP27 was the 'Aim for Climate Innovation Sprint' introduced by TomorrowNow.org. The sprint aims to reach 20 million farmers with next-generation weather intelligence by 2025 and to expand access to 100 million farmers by 2030. Campbell described the initiative as bold but necessary, highlighting the urgent need for farmers to have access to technology that can enhance their resilience to climate change. She expressed confidence in achieving these targets, citing the ongoing partnerships with private, public, and NGO stakeholders who are committed to making a meaningful impact. In terms of geographical reach, TomorrowNow.org is taking a continent-wide approach, starting with Kenya and then expanding across East Africa and the rest of the continent. Campbell emphasized that the potential beneficiaries of next-generation weather intelligence extend to about two-thirds of the planet, signaling the vast impact that this initiative could have on farming communities worldwide. With a clear focus on empowering marginalized communities and leveraging innovative technologies, TomorrowNow.org's participation in COP27 reflects a dedicated effort to address the challenges of climate change and support agricultural sustainability. The collaborative approach involving diverse partners underscores the importance of collective action in driving positive change for vulnerable populations and shaping a more resilient future.