Safaricom and Opportunity International have launched FarmerAI in Kenya. This AI chatbot will give smallholder farmers real-time farming advice.
It will send messages through SMS and WhatsApp. The chatbot will provide details on weather, fertilizers, pest control, and market prices.
The pilot project will run until August, following the potato planting cycle. Organizers expect to enroll 800–1,000 farmers before the year ends.
Unlike other farming support systems, FarmerAI does not need field agents. Instead, it reaches farmers directly on their mobile phones.
Bringing AI to Rural Farmers
FarmerAI uses artificial intelligence to provide accurate and timely farming information. Safaricom’s DigiFarm platform will support the chatbot, making it easy for farmers to connect with AI. Farmers will receive instant responses to their questions. This will help them make informed decisions about their crops.
“AI is already transforming the world around us, but the impact this technology can have on underserved communities is truly impactful. Above all, this partnership underscores Opportunity International’s and DigiFarm’s shared mission to uplift smallholder farmers.
“Our partnership, and this new tool, will make agricultural information more accessible, actionable, and equitable for everyone.” – Greg Nelson, Opportunity International Chief Technology Officer, Opportunity International.
Safaricom’s CEO, Dr. Peter Ndegwa, emphasized the importance of AI in agriculture.
“AI is a critical part of the present and the future. Our mission at Safaricom is to become Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030.
“In line with this, we are committed to bring to our customers and stakeholders technological solutions that will positively impact on them. FarmerAI is the first solution we are bringing to farmers that enables them to interact with AI and feel the power of that technology.
“One of the challenges that farmers face today is access to the right information at the right time such as what to plant, when to plant, weather advisory among others. This AI chatbot will allow smallholder farmers access verifiable information on common questions to guide their decisions.”
Also Read: Bayer and Pula Foundation to Insure 10 Million Smallholder Farmers by 2030
Boosting Food Security and Income
FarmerAI will feature branding from both DigiFarm and Opportunity International. The chatbot will use farmer feedback to improve. Developers will engage farmers both online and in person. This will ensure that the chatbot remains relevant and useful.
Kenya’s agricultural sector contributes 22.4% of the country’s GDP. Smallholder farmers make up 5.6 million of the farmer population. Many of them struggle with access to timely and accurate information. This AI chatbot will help bridge the digital divide in rural areas.
Opportunity International and DigiFarm aim to boost food security and increase incomes. They hope to make farming more profitable and sustainable. By using AI, they want to empower smallholder farmers with the right knowledge at the right time.