ARU students and staff engage in a group discussion on the challenges facing agriculture, laying the foundation for exploring how AI can be leveraged to transform the sector.

 African Rural University (ARU) and Professors Without Borders (PROWIBO) have commenced a 10-day training programme aimed at exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to transform agriculture and Community led tourism.

The programme, which began  24^th  August 2026 and runs through to 2 September 2026, brings together participants to examine the challenges affecting farmers and, in the coming days, explore how AI and its tools can be used to develop practical and sustainable solutions.

Day One; Understanding the Challenges

On the first day of the programme, Dr. Angelo Salasini, PhD, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Business Management at Texila American University Zambia (TAUZ led the morning session; guiding participants through discussions focused primarily on identifying and understanding the challenges faced by farmers.

Dr. Angelo Salasini introducing the programme overview evolving AI and Agriculture

Participants engaged in six (6) focus group discussions to identify key challenges within the agricultural sector. The discussions provided an opportunity for participants to share perspectives and examine the realities confronting farmers.

A focus group discussion involving students and staff on agriculture

In the continuing days of the programme, participants will move from identifying challenges to exploring how AI and its tools can be leveraged to address those challenges.

Ms. Hannah Bamwerinde, a tourism enthusiastic and researcher from Kabale University led the evening session in a co-creation in the concept of understanding    community led tourism, sustainable tourism

Students sharing what their 5-day ideal tourism spots and programmes

The upcoming sessions will provide an opportunity for participants to examine possible AI-driven approaches and consider how emerging technologies can be applied to agriculture and also promote tourism.

Professors Without Borders Team

This year’s PROWIBO team at African Rural University includes Dr. Angelo Salasini, PhD, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Business Management at Texila American University Zambia (TAUZ) and Ms. Hannah Bamwerinde, a tourism enthusiastic and researcher from Kabale University.

The team also includes Kritika Dhiwahar, who serves as an officially onboarded Teacher Mentor under India’s National Council for Teacher Education, and Kimberly Eckert, Head of Work-Based Learning Innovation & Design for Craft Education at Western Governors University.

By Joseph Odoi