Safaricom and Opportunity International have launched FarmerAI, an AI-powered chatbot that delivers real-time agricultural insights to farmers across the country. This is a major move to support Kenya’s smallholder farmers and enhance productivity, sustainability and digital inclusion among the underserved farming communities especially in the rural areas.

What is FarmerAI?

FarmerAI is an AI-driven platform that gives Kenyan farmers immediate, actionable advice on key agricultural practices. The chatbot is powered by advanced AI algorithms that can provide insights on:

  • Weather patterns: Help farmers plan their activities according to local weather forecasts.

  • Fertilizer application: Guide farmers on best practices for fertilizer use to maximize crop yield.

  • Pest management: Offer tips on how to manage and control pests.

  • Market prices: Allow farmers to access current market prices to make informed decisions on when and where to sell their produce.

FarmerAI is available on SMS and WhatsApp so that farmers—especially those in remote areas with no internet—can still access technology and make data-driven decisions to improve their farming practices.

Pilot Program and Rollout Plans

The FarmerAI pilot program is currently underway and aims to enroll up to 1,000 farmers in key agricultural regions by end of 2025. The pilot runs parallel to Kenya’s potato crop cycle, providing farmers with relevant advice and guidance throughout the growing season so they can make timely decisions.

This will be a co-branded program with DigiFarm (Safaricom’s digital agriculture platform) and Opportunity International branding to reflect the strong partnership behind the project.

The Vision behind FarmerAI

Dr. Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO said, “AI is today and the future. Our mission at Safaricom is to be Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030. So we are committed to bringing tech solutions to our customers and stakeholders that will benefit them. FarmerAI is the first solution we are bringing to farmers that allows them to interact with AI and feel the power of that technology.”

For Opportunity International, FarmerAI is a human-centered digital intervention. The development of this tool has been built on continuous engagement with farmers to ensure the solution addresses their specific needs and challenges. During the pilot, farmer feedback will be collected digitally and in person to refine and improve the tool.

Good for Kenyan Farmers

FarmerAI will change how smallholder farmers in Kenya get and use agricultural information. With instant, accurate, and localised information, farmers will not only have the right resources but also the power to make informed decisions. This AI powered solution will:

  • Increase productivity: Guide farmers on best practices for crop management and pest control.

  • Improve sustainability: Help farmers optimise resource use, water and fertiliser, for more sustainable farming practices.

  • Boost food security: Enable farmers to produce high quality crops and get to market at the right time.

  • Economic growth: Strengthen Kenya’s agricultural sector, the backbone of the economy.

The initiative also highlights the importance of digital inclusion by bridging the technology gap between rural and urban areas. By providing farmers real time support and information, FarmerAI will not leave farmers behind in a digital world.

Next

FarmerAI is just the beginning of a smarter, more connected agricultural sector. Safaricom and Opportunity International see this as a first step toward transforming agriculture in Kenya, with plans to further expand and improve the service. The insights gathered during the pilot will guide the further development of the platform to ensure it remains relevant and useful for Kenyan farmers.

In the long term FarmerAI will:

  • Empower more farmers with digital tools.

  • Strengthen food security across the country.

  • Improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers through smart farming solutions.

By leveraging AI, this initiative offers a clear path to a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future in Kenya.

As Kenya’s agricultural sector adopts FarmerAI, the opportunity for transformative growth is huge. Technology in farming is not just about increasing productivity but also about a future proof economy where smallholder farmers can thrive.