Some tech experts say that embracing artificial intelligence (AI)-powered agriculture will be a game changer for farmers in the country.

One of them, Jide Awe, said on Tuesday in Abuja that AI was a transformative tool that should be adopted by every farmer.

Mr Awe is an innovation and technology policy advisor and founder of Jidaw.com

He said as a transformative tool, AI had the ability to tackle a range of challenges, from unpredictable weather to market volatility analysis.

He said drones and smartphone cameras equipped with computer vision could detect early signs of a problem before it manifests, adding that AI plays a crucial role in pest and disease control.

The expert said farmers were able to analyse vast amounts of data, such as weather patterns, and predict local conditions suitable for crop varieties.

He stated. “This can lead to better yields and more robust crops. There are also great opportunities to improve the efficiency of resources, which is critical for both profitability and sustainability. For instance, sensors in the soil can be combined with machine learning. This will provide precise guidance on when and how much to irrigate and fertilise. This conserves water and reduces contamination and water pollution, leading to healthier soil.’’

He said that agriculture is physically demanding.

According to him, AI-powered technologies such as autonomous tractors, robotic harvesters and drones could automate repetitive or difficult tasks.

He added, “In that way farmers can work more efficiently and speed up processes while maintaining high quality. Beyond the farm, AI can help farmers and other agriculture stakeholders and players with smarter, faster and more reliable ways of operating in the market and seizing market opportunities. AI-driven analytics help farmers and agricultural businesses predict commodity prices. This helps farmers decide when to sell their crops to maximise profit and reduces post-harvest waste.’’

On his path, Chris Uwaje said AI had become a fundamental domain for human existence worthy of deep-dive interrogations.

Mr Uwaje said AI can boost agricultural development by addressing various challenges to enhance sustainable productivity.

“The first operational guideline is to respect the complex laws of nature by invigorating global environmental protection at all levels. This will help to avoid a brewing natural catastrophe capable of eroding global agricultural ecosystems,” he said.

He noted that AI could also help to advance sustainable agriculture development by helping farmers to leverage smart irrigation systems, soil condition analysis and weather conditions optimisation.

He stated, harvesting. All the above depend on and require strategic intervention of AI technologies and intensive training and achieving skill-based human resources.’’ 

(NAN)