FarmerAI to Support Up to 1,000 Potato Farmers in Pilot Phase
Safaricom has partnered with global nonprofit Opportunity International to launch FarmerAI, an innovative AI-powered chatbot designed to provide smallholder farmers in Kenya with real-time agricultural insights and best practices.
The pilot phase, running until August 2025, will target between 800 and 1,000 farmers, focusing primarily on potato growers. The project aims to enhance access to crucial farming information, including weather patterns, fertilizer application, pest control, and market prices, to improve yields and economic resilience for small-scale farmers.
This initiative follows Safaricom’s continued investment in agriculture, including the Wezesha Agri Program, a KES 120 million initiative supporting youth in agribusiness.
AI-Driven Agriculture: How FarmerAI Works
Unlike traditional advisory services that rely on field agents, FarmerAI leverages generative AI to provide instant, localized guidance via SMS and WhatsApp. The AI system will integrate with Safaricom’s DigiFarm, a digital agriculture platform that connects thousands of farmers to resources, credit, and markets.
Through this direct-to-farmer approach, smallholders can access critical data in real time, enabling data-driven decision-making that can significantly improve productivity and reduce losses.
Kenya’s growing AI ecosystem has seen increased investment, such as Meta’s $500,000 grant to Kenyan AI projects like Digital Green and Jacaranda Health.
According to Greg Nelson, Chief Technology Officer at Opportunity International, the initiative aligns with the organization’s mission of empowering smallholder farmers with accessible and actionable insights.
“AI is already transforming the world around us, but the impact this technology can have on underserved communities is truly powerful. This partnership underscores Opportunity International’s and DigiFarm’s shared mission to uplift smallholder farmers,” said Nelson.
Why AI in Agriculture Matters
The adoption of AI in agriculture is increasingly seen as a game-changer for food security and economic stability, especially in Kenya, where smallholder farmers make up approximately 5.6 million of the country’s total farmer population.
Key Challenges Addressed by FarmerAI:
- Access to Reliable Information – Many farmers struggle with limited access to verified farming best practices, leading to lower yields.
- Market Intelligence – Fluctuating crop prices make it difficult for farmers to plan sales and maximize profits.
- Weather & Climate Risks – Erratic weather conditions due to climate change demand precise forecasting and timely advisory services.
- Pest & Disease Control – Smallholder farmers often lack immediate solutions for disease outbreaks that threaten crops.
By using human-centered AI, FarmerAI aims to bridge the digital divide, making crucial agricultural information more inclusive and accessible.
The growing digital agribusiness sector in Kenya is also seeing a shift, with online agrovets revolutionizing farming by providing convenient access to genuine supplies and expert knowledge.
Safaricom’s Commitment to AI and Digital Transformation
The launch of FarmerAI aligns with Safaricom’s goal of becoming Africa’s leading purpose-driven technology company by 2030.
Speaking about the initiative, Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa highlighted the growing role of AI in solving real-world challenges:
“AI is a critical part of the present and the future. 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, and weather advisories. This AI chatbot will provide smallholder farmers with verifiable information to guide their decisions.”
Safaricom has also been actively supporting startups through initiatives like the Safaricom Spark Accelerator Program, which has nurtured innovative agritech companies such as VunaPay, a platform providing instant payments for agricultural cooperatives.
Field Testing and Future Expansion
During the pilot phase, FarmerAI will be deployed through a co-branded model, featuring both DigiFarm and Opportunity International branding. The project will focus on continuous engagement with farmers via digital platforms and in-person interactions to refine the chatbot’s responsiveness.
Insights gained from direct farmer feedback will be used to enhance the chatbot’s effectiveness, ensuring AI-generated recommendations align with real farming needs.
The long-term goal is to scale FarmerAI beyond potatoes, expanding its advisory capabilities to other crops and increasing farmer adoption nationwide.
Kenya’s Agricultural Sector & the Role of AI
Agriculture remains a pillar of Kenya’s economy, contributing 22.4% to the national GDP, as per the 2022 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) report.
With an increasing demand for digital solutions in agriculture, AI-driven innovations like FarmerAI have the potential to transform Kenya’s farming landscape by:
- Increasing crop yields through data-driven recommendations
- Reducing losses caused by misinformation or delayed interventions
- Enhancing market linkages via real-time price updates
- Supporting financial inclusion through easier access to credit via digital platforms like DigiFarm
By leveraging AI and mobile connectivity, Safaricom and Opportunity International aim to empower farmers with equitable access to digital knowledge, fostering long-term economic resilience and food security.
Conclusion
The FarmerAI project marks a significant step toward AI adoption in Kenya’s agriculture sector, offering smallholder farmers a powerful tool to optimize their yields and market opportunities.
By addressing long-standing barriers to agricultural knowledge and resources, Safaricom and Opportunity International are pioneering a new era of AI-driven, inclusive farming solutions in Kenya.
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