Digital Advice with Artificial Intelligence in the Context of Smallholder Farming in the Global South

The world’s 500 million smallholders produce two-thirds of the food. Still, they struggle with low productivity and income, vulnerability to climate change, and poor access to information on practices that could help enhance their production and secure their livelihoods. A significant issue limiting agricultural progress in developing countries is a lack of access to agricultural knowledge. Information is crucial for socioeconomic and sustainable development because it enables individuals to make educated decisions. Smart technologies offer an alternative that farmers can harness whenever needed. Artificial intelligence promises data-informed solutions to assist farmers and their challenges.

We are designing and testing a chatbot that can talk to smallholders in their local languages and uses video material to teach new technologies and farming solutions. The project shall improve farming practices, sustainability, and human well-being among smallholders.