Safaricom PLC in conjunction with Opportunity International has introduced FarmerAI, a chatbot designed to equip smallholder farmers with real-time, tailored agricultural insights, In a bid to transform agriculture through artificial intelligence.

The initiative, set to pilot until August, will initially focus on potato farmers, aiming to enrol between 800 and 1,000 farmers across Kenya by the year’s end.

Unlike conventional agricultural extension services that rely on field agents, FarmerAI will directly deliver critical farming information via SMS and WhatsApp, leveraging Safaricom’s DigiFarm platform to ensure seamless farmer engagement.

AI meets agriculture

Designed to enhance productivity, FarmerAI will provide farmers with essential guidance on weather patterns, fertiliser use, pest control, and market prices.

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This AI-driven tool integrates generative AI with localised agricultural data, making expert advice readily accessible to those who need it most.

Opportunity International Chief Technology Officer Greg Nelson highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence on underserved communities.

“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,” he stated.

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

Empowering farmers through technology

The chatbot, co-branded under DigiFarm and Opportunity International, is part of a broader effort to equip Kenyan farmers with the resources needed to increase yields, improve financial access, and modernise their farming practices.

Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa underscored the company’s commitment to leveraging technology for meaningful change.

“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," Ndegwa stated

"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."

Bridging the digital divide

To ensure FarmerAI remains relevant and user-friendly, the pilot will incorporate continuous feedback from potato farmers, both digitally and through direct engagement.

This human-centred design approach aims to refine the chatbot’s responsiveness to real-world farming challenges.

Kenya’s agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the economy, contributing 22.4 per cent of the GDP, according to a 2022 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) report.

Smallholder farmers, who account for 5.6 million of Kenya’s farming population, often struggle with limited access to information, financial resources, and market connectivity.

Through FarmerAI, Safaricom and Opportunity International seek to narrow the digital gap, making farming knowledge more accessible, timely, and actionable.

By doing so, they hope to boost food security, increase farmer incomes, and create a more resilient agricultural sector for the future.