Discover how Kenyan farmers are using AI technology to improve crop yields, improve productivity, and overcome agricultural challenges like unpredictable weather and pests.
INTRODUCTION
Agriculture is the backbone of Kenya because it directly relates with their economy.With a major population indulging in agriculture as occupation and livelihood .But they face numerous challenges and uncertainty in climatic conditions .They do not use modern tools and techniques.This article is about a coffee Farm in sorwot village in Kericho,Kenya. Sammy Selim and Kennedy Kirui are two farmers who use AI tools Virtual Agronomist for guiding their agriculture and to increase their yield.
AI IN AGRICULTURE
The key features which need AI in Agriculture
1.Prediction over Weather : Usually farmers face a common issue in predicting weather as yield depends on it .AI helps them in predicting weather accurately and prepare a content calendar for each step in agriculture.AI powered tool helps in avoiding risk factors .
2.Fertilizers and Manure Management : AI-based image recognition tools used to detect infected areas using their smartphones and it is destroyed immediately .They also recommend the needed manures and fertilizers .It is the main factor for maximum yield .
3.Concise in farming :AI and Machine learning algorithms analyse soil ,water levels,crops to be used in the field .This will generate real time information on soil health, moisture levels, and nutrient content, enabling farmers to optimize fertilizer and water use, reduce waste, and enhance yields.
Let us see a small conversations of farmers with Virtual Agronomist
Selim opened his chatbox
Selim: Hi,I need your guidance in Fertilizers and the target of yield
VA: Use these types of fertilizers and you can yield 7.9 tonnes of yield.
“My God” -Selim said on seeing this receipt as it suggests a small amount of fertilizers rather than selim planned to use.so he was happy it reduced the money .This shows AI help in small scale farmers to focus on both quality and quantity of the produce .
After this Selim started using Virtual Agronomist for his 0.4 hectare land in 2022.using the recommendations from his VA he produced 7.3 tonnes of coffee which is his highest field.
CASE STUDY
General Farmer’s Knowledge
Selim says this because without knowing his soil health he started using fertilizers and manures resulting in only 2.3 tonnes of coffee.so he took the soil to lab test .It is not sure he may receive his result .This story is same for all farmers .They are not aware of their soil strength and the pest and disease over their crop.
“A big challenge for farmers is not knowing exactly what their soil needs,” said Florah Maritim, factory manager at Sorwot Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society, which buys coffee from local farmers.Musau Mutisya, from Kwa Mwaura village in Machakos county says that they all find it difficult to know their pest and disease on their crop.Later he used a VA to identify his Maize crop infection and asked the same for diagnosis. “We were doing guesswork in the past,” he said. “You’ll end up spending more money treating what you don’t know.” “We believe in the power of digital,” Chikava said. “It can really, really disrupt things.”saysEnock Chikava, director for agricultural delivery systems at the Gates Foundation
BARRIERS IN IMPLEMENTATION
What will be the hurdles faced by farmers in implementing this AI tools
Cost- farmers unable to use this due to their financial situation
Technical Knowledge -Lack of education among farmers
Internet access -Villages find difficulty in getting internet access.
FUTURE OF AI IN AGRICULTURE
GSM released a report on use case of AI in Kenya ,Nigeria,SouthAfrica in Agriculture and Food security .This shows a potential improvement in technology and support socioeconomic growth .The thing to be considered is Smartphones with farmers with internet access and proper technical knowledge and awareness over the technology .Heavy reliance on AI tools to set farming practices may result in the erosion of long-held, and tested, indigenous agricultural practices,” said Wairegi, founder and research director at Athene Research Group.
CONCLUSIONS
It is common saying that AI is a Game changer in many sectors especially in Agriculture .A system called “FarmShield” is used to monitor temperature ,humidity and soil moisture .“I don’t waste time trying to figure out how much water to use,” he said while inside a greenhouse for growing the plant, which needs consistent water supply. “It’s a great technology,”said byBoniface Nzivo in Mua village in Machakos county.
References
1.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/30/high-tech-high-yields-the-kenyan-farmers-deploying-ai-to-increase-productivity
2.https://news.mongabay.com/2024/06/kenyan-farmers-turn-to-whatsapp-ai-tools-to-combat-crop-diseases/
3.https://agrilinks.org/post/ai-cultivating-hope-transforming-agriculture-sustainable-future-kenya-and-beyond
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