In the Kericho region of Kenya, farmer Sammy Selim is busy on his coffee farm, accompanied by young farmer Kennedy Kirui.
To obtain better planting advice, they are using an AI tool called "Virtual Agronomist". Simply inputting the farm's coordinates on WhatsApp, this AI provides fertilization recommendations based on local soil and climate conditions.
Image source note: The image was generated by AI, authorized by the service provider Midjourney
Selim was surprised by the AI's target yield, which was 7.9 tons. He had previously planned to use more fertilizer to increase yield, but now realizes that this could be a waste of money. He excitedly said, "Technology is so useful!"
In Kenya, farmers like Selim are not uncommon. Small-scale farmers face significant challenges due to climate change, pests and diseases, and lack of professional knowledge. In the past, they usually relied on the advice of agricultural extension officers, but due to insufficient government funding, the number of these professionals has gradually decreased in recent years, affecting farmers.
Selim started using the Virtual Agronomist in 2022, and his small farm produced 7.3 tons of coffee annually, a yield he had never achieved before. He also mentioned that previous fertilization methods completely relied on what he called "common farmer's knowledge", without ever understanding the health of the soil, leading to low yields. In one season, his coffee yield was only 2.3 tons, which was truly worrying.
The same situation occurred with Musau Mutisya from Machakos County. He used to judge crop pests and diseases based on personal experience, often inaccurately. Now, he uses the PlantVillage AI app to identify problems, recently taking a photo of damaged corn leaves with his phone, and the AI immediately told him it was "fall armyworm" and provided a solution. "In the past, we could only guess, now it's much better!" he excitedly said.
It's worth mentioning that in Kenya, although there are 7.5 million small farmers, the ratio of agricultural extension officers is 1:1093, much higher than the international organization recommended 1:400. This means that most farmers cannot get timely professional advice, and the emergence of technology just fills this gap.
However, despite the convenience brought by AI tools, some experts have also issued warnings. They believe that over-reliance on these tools could lead to the loss of traditional agricultural knowledge. As a counterexample, Boniface Nzivo uses the FarmShield system in Machakos County, which can monitor temperature, humidity, and soil moisture in real-time, helping him with precise irrigation. He happily said, "With this technology, I no longer have to waste time guessing the amount of water!"
Small farmers in Kenya are using technology to change the face of traditional agriculture, making their lives more efficient and secure.
Key Points:
🌾 Kenyan farmers have improved planting efficiency and yield through AI tools, reducing reliance on traditional agricultural extension officers.
📱 Applications like "Virtual Agronomist" and PlantVillage allow farmers to manage fertilizer and pests more accurately, reducing planting risks.
⚠️ Although AI tools bring convenience, experts warn that over-reliance may lead to the loss of traditional agricultural knowledge, a balance must be maintained.