Maize planting rains

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Project period: 01 November 2025   To: 31 January 2027

Project details

Research Area: AI-Driven Prediction of Effective Maize Planting Rains for Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Malawi Active project-Pilot funded by CRAFS Summary: This research focuses on developing and validating Artificial Intelligence (AI) models to predict the onset and reliability of effective planting rains for maize in Malawi. The work combines satellite and ground-based rainfall data through machine learning (LSTM, CNN, and ensemble models) to capture complex spatio-temporal rainfall patterns influenced by local topography, convective systems, and Lake Malawi effects. By defining planting rains dynamically based on agronomic thresholds and farmer observations, the study aims to generate ward-level planting advisories that reduce false starts and improve crop establishment. The approach bridges data science, meteorology, and agronomy to support localized decision-making and strengthen national early warning systems through partnerships with DCCMS, NASFAM, and CRAFS.