Safaricom and Opportunity International have launched FarmerAI, a groundbreaking AI chatbot aimed at providing smallholder farmers in Kenya with real-time agricultural insights and best practices. The initiative is designed to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities and improve the productivity and livelihoods of farmers who contribute significantly to Kenya’s agricultural sector. As highlighted by a 2022 report from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), agriculture accounts for approximately 22.4% of the country’s GDP, with smallholder farmers making up a large portion of the population, estimated at 5.6 million.
FarmerAI combines advanced generative AI with localized agricultural knowledge to deliver essential information on various farming practices. The chatbot addresses a wide range of issues such as weather patterns, pest management, fertilizer application, and market prices, providing farmers with relevant advice at crucial times. Unlike traditional solutions that rely on a network of field agents, FarmerAI aims to directly engage farmers through accessible digital platforms like SMS and WhatsApp, which are commonly used by farmers in rural areas.
The project, which is set to run through an initial pilot phase from now until August, will focus on farmers involved in the potato crop cycle. By the end of the year, the initiative hopes to enroll between 800 and 1,000 farmers across Kenya’s key agricultural regions. Safaricom’s DigiFarm service, a platform that already digitally connects thousands of farmers, will serve as the conduit for interaction between farmers and the AI-powered chatbot.
This partnership brings together Safaricom’s technological infrastructure with Opportunity International’s mission to support smallholder farmers. As Greg Nelson, the Chief Technology Officer at Opportunity International, emphasized, AI’s potential to positively impact underserved communities cannot be overstated. The collaboration between Opportunity International and DigiFarm underscores the organizations’ commitment to enhancing the agricultural sector, ensuring farmers have access to accurate, timely information that can improve their yields and livelihoods.
Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, also expressed the company’s excitement about FarmerAI, highlighting how AI will empower farmers by providing them with accurate information on farming decisions such as planting, irrigation, and weather patterns. The chatbot is designed to offer farmers verifiable data on common agricultural concerns, making it a crucial tool for decision-making in the field.
FarmerAI’s development is deeply rooted in human-centered design, with regular engagement between the project team and farmers. This ongoing interaction is expected to ensure that the technology remains adaptable to the real-world challenges faced by smallholder farmers. The design of the chatbot will be continuously refined based on feedback and field insights, ensuring its relevance and usability.
The initiative also aims to address broader issues such as food security and income generation in rural communities, which often face challenges like limited access to information, technology, and financial services. By providing farmers with easy access to the tools and knowledge they need, the project seeks to foster long-term economic resilience and improve food production across Kenya. Through this partnership, both Safaricom and Opportunity International hope to empower smallholder farmers, help them increase productivity, and ultimately contribute to the country’s economic growth.
With this AI-driven solution, Safaricom and Opportunity International are not only transforming the way farmers access agricultural information but also making strides in fostering sustainable development within the rural farming communities of Kenya. By ensuring farmers can make data-driven decisions, the initiative supports both immediate agricultural success and long-term economic prosperity.
