When Somali Agronomist and farmer Ahmed Tall first came across a Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) video on sweet potato farming, he didn’t realize it would change his entire approach to agriculture. Today, his thriving sweet potato demonstration farms stands in the community as a testament to the power of accessible, science-based education and the importance of translating knowledge into local languages.
Sweet potatoes that Ali has harvested from one of his demonstration farms in a community-based project in Somalia. Ali, who has been a member of the SAWBO AFRICA FARMERS NETWORK for the last four years, uses animation videos in his agricultural extension service provision. Photo Credit: Ahmed Tall.
Learning Through Animation
Like many smallholder farmers in Somalia and across East Africa, Ahmed once struggled with erratic rainfall, pest attacks, and declining soil fertility. Sweet potatoes, though hardy, often failed to produce enough yields and hope to sustain his families that he works with. Access to reliable agricultural extension content to use in the field was limited, and most of the information available was either in English or Swahili, languages not easily understood in many Somali communities.
That changed when Ahmed discovered SAWBO animations through the SAWBO Africa Farmers Network, a WhatsApp based community of farmers, educators, and extension agents from different countries of Africa who share and discuss SAWBO’s animated videos on sustainable farming practices.
One particular animation—“Sweet Potato roots for timely planting materials caught his attention. “The video delivered the secret to multiplying planting vines for potatoes a farmer has bought from the market” says and enthusiastic Ali. According to the agronomist, these videos break down complex agronomic practices into short, visually clear lessons. This particular animation demonstrated how to prepare vines for planting, space them properly, manage pests, and determine the best time to harvest for maximum yield.
“I watched the video several times,” Ahmed recalls. “It was easy to follow, even without much text. I realized I had been struggling to find vine cuttings for planting my sweet potatoes. I also used to plant them too close together and harvesting too early. The animation showed me what to do differently.”
Ahmed applied every lesson from the animation, choosing healthy vines, spacing them correctly, applying organic compost, and managing pests naturally. The results were remarkable. His next harvest produced more than double his previous yields, with larger, healthier tubers which he shared on the community network and his Facebook page.
Farmers began to notice the transformation on his demonstration farms and started asking what he had done differently whenever they visited. Ahmed proudly showed them the SAWBO animation on his phone and explained what he had learned. Soon, a small group of local farmers began watching the same videos together, experimenting with the techniques, and seeing similar improvements in their farms.
“Before, I thought only big farmers could get good harvests,” Fatma, a local farmer from Ahmed’s community says with a smile. “Now I know it’s about knowledge, and that knowledge can come from a short video on your phone.”
An Active SAWBO Africa Farmers Network Member
Ahmed’s enthusiasm and success did not go unnoticed. As an active member of the SAWBO Africa Farmers Network, he began sharing his experiences online and in community meetings. He often participates in discussions with other farmers across the continent, exchanging ideas on crop management, soil conservation, and sustainable farming.
Through the network, Ahmed has connected with farmers from Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and other African countries, learning how they apply SAWBO lessons to different crops and environments. His story has become an inspiration to many, proof that digital learning tools can bridge gaps that traditional extension services cannot.
The Language Barrier: A Call for Somali Translations
Despite his success, Ahmed faces one major challenge; language. Most SAWBO animations are available in English, Swahili, or other widely spoken African languages. While these reach millions, Somali-speaking communities, especially in rural areas, are often left behind.
“Many of my friends and relatives in the villages don’t speak English or Swahili,” Ahmed explains. “They want to learn, but they can’t follow the videos unless someone translates for them.”
To solve this, Kataru Concepts Africa Farming Technologies has taken it upon itself to advocate for more SAWBO animations to be translated into Somali. We have organized for volunteer community translators who are going to help to interpret more videos into Somali. This will help Ahmed’s goal in ensuring that every Somali farmer, whether in Somalia, northern Kenya, or the diaspora, can access SAWBO’s practical agricultural knowledge in a language they understand. He believes that when information speaks a farmer’s language, it becomes truly transformative.
Empowering Communities through Local Knowledge
Ahmed’s story reflects a broader truth, that digital learning alone is not enough, localization matters. For digital agricultural tools like SAWBO animations to make a real difference, they must reach people in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways.
By translating these resources into Somali, Ahmed will find it easy not only helping individuals improve their harvests; but also building resilience across entire communities. In regions where literacy levels are low and extension officers are few, animated videos in the local language can deliver vital information on farming, health, and economic empowerment directly to people’s hands.
His efforts also align with SAWBO’s broader vision, “To make science and education accessible to everyone, everywhere, through free, shareable animations in local languages”. With community leaders like Ahmed Tall, this vision comes alive in the most practical and inspiring ways.
The Bigger Picture: Knowledge Without Borders
Across Africa, farmers are increasingly turning to mobile phones and digital media to learn, share, and adapt new agricultural techniques. Platforms like SAWBO have become crucial tools for bridging knowledge gaps and building climate-smart farming practices.
But as Ahmed’s experience shows, the next step in this digital revolution must be translation, localization and scaling. When a Somali farmer can watch a video in their own language, understand the message, and apply it confidently, the ripple effects go far beyond a single harvest. They build food security, economic stability, and community empowerment.
From struggling with poor yields to becoming a role model in his community, Ahmed Tall’s journey shows the power of accessible education. Through SAWBO animations, he learned how to grow sweet potatoes more effectively, and through his advocacy, he is now helping others learn in the language they speak best.
As Ahmed continues to promote the translation of SAWBO materials into Somali, he is sowing the seeds of knowledge across borders and generations. His story reminds us that when science meets culture, and when technology speaks the people’s language, farming and life can truly flourish.
