Artificial intelligence is increasingly being deployed to support agriculture across Africa, helping farmers access information on weather, cropping practices and market conditions. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says better connectivity, reliable infrastructure, appropriate data and digital skills are essential for smallholder operations to benefit from these technologies. Meshack Malo, FAO's deputy regional representative for Africa, told UN News that fewer than 10 percent of farmers currently benefit from digital agricultural services, with rural communities particularly limited by poor connectivity.
Training and policy needed for scaled impact
Equally important are training and education so farmers can integrate these systems into daily decisions. Without national strategies for science, technology and innovation and supportive policy, solutions cannot scale sustainably.
Beyond specific advisory projects, the broader environmental benefit of precision agriculture remains disputed. A peer-reviewed review published in January 2026 in the Nature portfolio found some evidence for lower fertilizer use but overall only limited or overstated research on environmental gains.