Sammy Selim walked through the lush greenery of his coffee farm in Sorwot village, Kericho, Kenya, alongside younger farmer Kennedy Kirui. They took breaks to input the farm's coordinates into a WhatsApp chat with Virtual Agronomist, an AI tool that advises on fertilizer application. After answering some questions, the chatbot recommended targeting a yield of 7. 9 tonnes with specific fertilizer types and quantities—much less than Selim originally planned. “My God!” Selim exclaimed, realizing he could have wasted money. In Kericho and beyond, small-scale farmers are increasingly turning to AI tools to enhance their crop quality and yield. Pests, diseases, and limited technical knowledge have historically led to substantial losses. Farmers relied on agricultural extension officers for guidance; however, their numbers have dwindled due to funding cuts. Selim adopted Virtual Agronomist in 2022, influenced by another farmer with a smartphone. By following its recommendations, he achieved his highest yield of 7. 3 tonnes of coffee. Previously, he applied fertilizers based on "general farmer’s knowledge, " which resulted in lower productivity. Soil testing was also problematic, with results taking months or failing to arrive. Florah Maritim from Sorwot Coffee Farmers Cooperative noted that farmers struggle with understanding their soil needs.

Similarly, Musau Mutisya from Machakos county was previously uninformed about pests. Now, he uses the AI app PlantVillage, which assists in pest identification and control, saving him from costly guesswork. Both AI tools leverage extensive image and data training to function effectively. Despite Kenya having 7. 5 million small-scale farmers, the ratio of extension officers to farm households is significantly high (1:1093), compared to the recommended 1:400. Enock Chikava of the Gates Foundation emphasizes that technology can bridge this gap. A July report by the GSM Association noted that agriculture accounts for most AI applications in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, highlighting the need for improved digital skills and smartphone access. Both PlantVillage and Virtual Agronomist utilize a "lead farmer" model where tech-savvy farmers help others in their community. While PlantVillage is free, Virtual Agronomist charges for coffee-related advice. However, some scientists warn against over-dependence on AI, as it may overlook indigenous farming knowledge. Despite these concerns, for farmers like Boniface Nzivo in Machakos, AI represents a significant advance. He utilizes FarmShield to monitor environmental conditions for watering his cucumbers efficiently. “It’s a great technology, ” he said, appreciating its convenience.