Any developing economy can be seen as being built upon the agricultural sector. However, this long-standing industry encounters numerous challenges that hinder productivity, affect livelihoods, and jeopardize global food security.
AI’s integration into agriculture in Africa has brought significant advancements and efficiencies to the sector. This integration of AI technologies in agriculture has been transformative, addressing numerous challenges and modernizing traditional farming practices. AI algorithms have been used to analyze data from various sources (soil sensors, weather forecasts, satellite imagery) to predict crop yields accurately, helping farmers make informed decisions.
The ‘AI for Africa’ report from the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), which represents mobile network operators, reveals that nearly 49 percent of AI applications are focused on agriculture and food security. This is followed by climate action and energy use cases, which account for 26 percent and 24 percent, respectively.
Aerobotics, a firm based in South Africa, employs sophisticated machine learning techniques to process high-resolution, multi-dimensional images from drones and satellites. This enables them to deliver detailed insights about individual trees, including their count, size, health, and chlorophyll content. Furthermore, Aerobotics offers specific data on fruits, such as detection, size, and color, which are vital for forecasting yields and profits. While their primary clientele consists of African farmers, they also provide services to other region.
Hello Tractor is a renowned ag-tech company committed to boosting food and income security across sub-Saharan Africa. Farmers in this area often face labor shortages and limited resources, which result in underutilized land, late planting, and decreased earnings. To combat these issues, Hello Tractor provides affordable and convenient tractor services. They upgrade tractors to Smart Tractors, allowing owners to generate additional income. The platform also offers remote tracking, helping tractor owners monitor their equipment virtually to prevent fraud and misuse. It is also known as Uber for trackers in Kenya has enabled farmers to excess timely machinery for farming.
Zenvus, a farming company in Nigeria uses advanced sensory technology to help smallholder farmers access real-time soil data. This innovation enables better crop management and easier access to financing, reducing the risks associated with trial-and-error farming.
According to Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe, founder of Zenvus, Zenvus technology is made to eliminate guesswork in farming. “This technology utilizes electronic sensors equipped with GPS, installed in the soil to monitor pH, nutrient levels, moisture, and temperature, thereby eliminating much of the guesswork in farming,” he said.
Smart irrigation technology has been used to leverage weather and soil moisture data to assess the irrigation needs of a landscape. A soil moisture sensor is one of the smart technologies designed to track soil moisture levels in automated irrigation systems. It consists of a module, a detection probe, and connecting wires. The sensor offers both digital and analog outputs and includes an adjustable potentiometer to control its sensitivity to moisture. If soil moisture drops below a preset threshold, the digital output rises; if it goes above the threshold, the digital output falls.
Insect pest infestations and disease infections are significant challenges in agriculture, causing substantial economic losses. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a promising approach to crop protection by mitigating both biotic and abiotic stress factors, thereby reducing their harmful impacts. AI applications in crop protection include pest management, disease management, weed management, and addressing abiotic stresses such as nutrient deficiencies.
AI is being used to analyze data from drones and satellites to monitor crop health and detect issues such as pest infestations and disease outbreaks in real time; it also integrates data from various sensors to assess crop conditions and identify threats, enabling timely interventions.
Farmers in Tanzania are using the M-Shamba digital platform that offers digital learning on agronomy, climate-smart practices, and food safety to farmers via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and interactive SMS services. Additionally, it connects farmers with field experts through a Cloud-Based Virtual Call Centre, providing real-time and personalized support.
Digital Green a AI -driven platform collaborates with governments and community organizations across various countries, utilizing its AI-driven platform to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of public extension services. Digital Green strengthens government-supported public extension systems in African countries like : Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria by offering an AI-powered assistant that provides timely, localized advice. The platform is used by extension agents (EAs), who are typically college-educated government employees with expertise in crops, livestock, and horticulture, and are often native to the areas they serve. These EAs act as educators and facilitators, working closely with local farmers to enhance their productivity and livelihoods.
AI’s integration into agriculture is not just a technological shift; it’s a fundamental change in how we approach farming. By leveraging these innovations, we can address global challenges such as food security, climate change, and resource management, paving the way for a more productive and sustainable future.
AI has indeed taken the reins of the agricultural sector, driving unprecedented advancements and shaping the future of farming. The journey has just begun, and the possibilities are as vast as the fields we cultivate.