Safaricom empowers Kenyan farmers with AI-driven digital advisory

Safaricom partnered with Opportunity International to develop FarmerAI, an AI-powered chatbot for smallholder farmers in Kenya's rural regions. This chatbot, designed with human-centered principles, leverages generative AI to provide localized advice on weather, pest management, fertilizer application, and market prices. Accessible via SMS and WhatsApp through Safaricom’s DigiFarm platform, FarmerAI eliminates the bottleneck of traditional field agent networks, enabling farmers to receive timely, actionable insights. The service began as a pilot during the potato crop cycle, enrolling up to 1,000 farmers and engaging with them to ensure solution responsiveness and usability. FarmerAI also helps farmers access digital financing services and strengthens economic resilience in remote communities. The solution supports increased crop yields, food security, and improved farmer incomes by bridging the digital divide. Collaboration between Safaricom and Opportunity International demonstrates the impact of technology in agriculture and underscores their commitment to equitable knowledge distribution for underserved populations. The project has received positive feedback for its accessibility and ongoing digital engagement with end-users. Results highlight increased access to actionable farming knowledge, empowerment of smallholder farmers, and strengthened rural digital connectivity.