By Daisy Okiring

As Kenya joins the world in marking World Creativity and Innovation Day today, a technological breakthrough is quietly transforming the country’s agricultural landscape.

Across farms both large and small, artificial intelligence is reshaping how crops are grown, monitored, and brought to market—offering new solutions to age-old challenges of food security and climate resilience.

“This day celebrates human ingenuity at its finest, and in few sectors is innovation more crucial than agriculture,” says Dr. James Kariuki, agricultural economist at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). “AI represents perhaps the most significant technological advancement in farming since mechanization.”

The digital agricultural transformation

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping Kenya’s farming landscape. The global AI in agriculture market is projected to reach $4.7 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual rate of 23% from 2023, according to World Bank data. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, private investments in agri-tech have skyrocketed from less than $10 million in 2014 to approximately $600 million in 2022.

Kenya is at the forefront of this transformation, with over 80% of its agricultural output coming from smallholder farmers who are increasingly turning to technology to boost productivity and combat climate challenges.

“For a country where agriculture contributes about 33% of GDP, the implications of AI adoption are profound,” notes Sarah Kimani, Director of Digital Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture. “We’re seeing the beginning of a fundamental shift in how farming is practiced across the country.”

Precision farming and resource optimization

Satellite imagery, drone technology, and AI algorithms are helping farmers precisely monitor crop health, soil moisture, and nutrient levels. The Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform now delivers real-time agricultural data to 1.1 million farmers, providing accurate weather forecasts and high-resolution insights that help optimize planting times and resource usage.

Disease detection and prevention

The PlantVillage Nuru app, used by over 10,000 Kenyan farmers, employs AI and machine learning to diagnose crop diseases through smartphone photos. The app works offline—crucial in areas with limited connectivity—and provides instant diagnoses and treatment recommendations, significantly reducing crop losses.

“Early disease detection can mean the difference between a successful harvest and devastating losses,” explains Dr. Esther Wambugu, a digital agriculture specialist at the University of Nairobi. “AI tools are giving farmers information that previously required expert consultation, and they’re getting it instantly in the field.”

Supply chain optimization

AI-powered platforms like Twiga Foods are revolutionizing how produce moves from farms to markets. By analyzing historical data and predicting market trends, these platforms reduce waste, stabilize prices, and ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their produce.

Bridging the digital divide

Despite the promising advances, challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to AI technologies across Kenya’s agricultural sector.

“The risk of a widening digital divide is real,” warns Peter Mwangi, Executive Director of the Agricultural Technology Development Center. “Large farms with capital can easily adopt these technologies, but we must ensure smallholder farmers aren’t left behind.”

Read more:How sustainable agriculture is mitigating climate change in Kenya

The government, working with organizations like the World Bank and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), has launched initiatives to democratize access to agricultural technology. The National Value Chain Development Project aims to institutionalize digital technologies across agricultural value chains, while innovation challenges have identified promising AgTech startups focused on smallholder farmers.

Hello Tractor exemplifies such success stories. This AI-powered platform connects smallholder farmers with tractor owners and uses machine learning to optimize operations. Since 2014, it has digitized approximately 3.5 million acres of farmland, increased food production by 5 million metric tons, and created over 6,000 jobs.

Ethical considerations and governance

As AI reshapes agriculture, questions about data ownership, privacy, and ethical usage have emerged. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has emphasized the need for comprehensive governance frameworks that protect farmers’ interests while fostering innovation.

“We need clear policies on who owns agricultural data and how it can be used,” says Dr. Monica Nderitu, technology policy advisor at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). “Without proper safeguards, the same technologies that empower farmers could potentially exploit them.”

The Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has partnered with the Food System Resilience Program to develop ethical guidelines for AI use in agriculture, focusing on transparency, inclusivity, and fairness in algorithmic decision-making.

The road ahead

Looking forward, experts project continued growth in Kenya’s agricultural AI sector. The World Bank estimates that widespread adoption of climate-smart agriculture technologies could increase productivity by up to 30% while reducing vulnerability to climate shocks.

Chakib Jenane, Regional Director for Sustainable Development at the World Bank, emphasizes a structured approach to AI implementation: “Policy priorities must span the short, medium, and long term, balancing quick wins with strategies to build a robust AI ecosystem in agriculture.”

Short-term priorities include expanding digital infrastructure and launching training programs to demonstrate low-cost AI tools. Medium-term goals focus on strengthening data infrastructure and establishing regulatory frameworks, while long-term strategies aim to align AI initiatives with national development goals and ensure inclusive access.

The Ministry of Agriculture has outlined plans to integrate AI into Kenya’s Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy, with targeted investments in climate-resilient farming technologies and digital literacy programs for rural communities.

Innovation through collaboration

Kenya’s AI agricultural revolution thrives on collaboration between public institutions, private enterprises, academic researchers, and international organizations. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) have established innovation hubs in Nairobi, bringing together technologists and agricultural experts to develop locally relevant solutions.

Meanwhile, Kenyan universities are incorporating agricultural technology into their curricula. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) now offers specialized courses in AI applications for agriculture, preparing the next generation of tech-savvy farmers and agricultural professionals.

Read more: Students strive for education amidst floods in Budalangi & Nyando

“As we celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day, we’re reminded that true innovation happens when we combine new technologies with deep understanding of local contexts,” says Professor Njoroge Mwangi of JKUAT. “The future of Kenya’s agriculture lies at this intersection of AI and indigenous farming knowledge.”

With continued investment, thoughtful policies, and inclusive approaches, AI has the potential to transform Kenya’s agricultural sector into a model of productivity, sustainability, and resilience for the entire continent.

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