Thousands of smallscale farmers in Kenya are set to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to boost productivity and access real-time, tailored farming advice. 

A new initiative by Safaricom PLC and a global NGO, Opportunity International, has unveiled an AI-powered chatbot—FarmerAI—which is poised to offer smallholder farmers instant guidance on best practices to improve yields and resilience. 

With an initial pilot aligned to the potato crop cycle, the initiative aims to support up to 1,000 farmers across key regions by year’s end, marking a step forward in the fusion of technology and agriculture to empower underserved communities.

According to Safaricom, FarmerAI combines generative AI with localized agricultural insights, delivering vital information on topics such as weather patterns, fertilizer application, pest management, and market prices. 

Unlike other solutions that rely on a field agent network, FarmerAI is modelled to directly engage farmers through accessible channels such as SMS and WhatsApp. Safaricom’s DigiFarm service, which digitally connects thousands of farmers, will provide the platforms needed for farmers to interact seamlessly with the AI chatbot.

“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,” said Opportunity International Chief Technology Officer Greg Nelson. 

“Our partnership, and this new tool, will make agricultural information more accessible, actionable, and equitable for everyone.”

The partners said this collaboration highlights the commitment of both organizations to strengthen Kenya’s agricultural sector by providing farmers with tools that help increase their yields and streamline access to financing.

“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," Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom.

"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,” added Dr. Ndegwa.

Statistics from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) show that the agricultural sector contributes roughly 22.4 percent to the country’s total GDP, and smallholder farmers make up around 5.6 million of the overall farmer population.

[email protected]