AI on the farm: real-world results
Across fields and greenhouses, artificial intelligence is quietly helping farmers grow more with less. In India, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) worked with Microsoft to deliver a simple advisory that used AI and weather data to suggest the best time to sow seeds. Pilots with smallholder farmers in Andhra Pradesh reported more timely planting and higher yields, showing how practical digital tools can boost incomes and resilience. It’s good news for communities facing unpredictable rains and rising costs.
In Africa, the PlantVillage team at Penn State University created Nuru, an AI assistant that identifies crop diseases and pests using a smartphone camera. Developed with partners including the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nuru has been used in countries such as Kenya and Rwanda to spot threats like cassava mosaic disease and fall armyworm early, when action is most effective. By putting quick, reliable diagnosis in the hands of extension agents and farmers, this uplifting innovation helps protect harvests and reduce losses.
Satellites, early warning, and greener inputs
From space to soil, data-driven insights are strengthening food security. NASA Harvest, led by the University of Maryland and directed by Inbal Becker-Reshef, applies AI to satellite imagery to estimate crop conditions around the world. Its analyses support the GEOGLAM Crop Monitor for Early Warning, used by organizations such as FAO, the World Food Programme (WFP), and FEWS NET to track drought, floods, and heat stress. These early warnings help governments act sooner—pre-positioning aid, stabilizing markets, and guiding farmers with timely, optimistic advice. WFP’s HungerMap LIVE also blends machine learning with field data to anticipate hunger hotspots, making responses faster and more targeted.
On the ground, precision tools are cutting waste and emissions. John Deere’s computer-vision “See & Spray” technology targets weeds with pinpoint accuracy, lowering herbicide use while maintaining yields—a positive step for farm budgets and biodiversity. In the Netherlands, Wageningen University & Research’s Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge showed that AI-guided greenhouses can match or outperform expert growers while using fewer resources like energy and water. These inspiring advances mean more food grown sustainably, from tomatoes under glass to cereals in open fields. As public research bodies such as CGIAR and national agricultural institutes expand responsible AI breeding and advisory programs, the future looks bright: smarter decisions, stronger harvests, and more secure food supplies. With farmer training, open data, and inclusive connectivity, AI can remain a practical partner—uplifting rural livelihoods and delivering truly scalable, positive impact.
