South African farmers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to improve productivity, navigate regulatory hurdles, and optimise farm management, signalling a new era for the country’s agricultural sector.
According to the Green Cape report on the usage of AI in the sector, agricultural technology (also known as agtech or agritech) encompasses a wide range of innovations applied to farming, including hardware like drones, sensors, and robotics.
It also includes software such as AI and data analytics, as well as biotech solutions. These technologies help farmers optimise crop yields, reduce resource usage, and manage farms more efficiently.
The Green Cape report noted that agtech is gaining traction due to pressing challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, soil degradation, increasingly strict regulations, and the need to increase food production for a growing population.
“South Africa’s diverse agricultural landscape, which ranges from large commercial operations to smallholder farms, is seeing solutions tailored to meet varying needs,” the report stated.
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Farmers share their AI experiences
For some farmers, AI has become central to daily operations.
Marvellous Makhado, a crop and aquaculture farmer from Limpopo, said, “AI is helping me structure my business. I get unique ideas from it, from pond constructions, writing proposals and better ways to help with fish and my business growth. I can now say I’m 80% depending on it.”
Small-scale pig farmer Mbali Bengu in KwaZulu-Natal echoes the sentiment. “I use AI to write my business plans, and it also really helps when you are filling out applications for funding. Using AI helps me to put my words together and sound more professional.”
Sphelele Mkhawanazi, a new hemp farmer in KwaZulu-Natal, highlights AI’s role in navigating bureaucracy. “Most things in which maybe other farmers might say that they found to be difficult, I didn’t. I’ve been using ChatGPT to my advantage. Even with the permit, I was able to use AI to guide me,” he said.
Commercial broiler farmer Lerato Aliu highlights the practical applications of AI on her farm.
“All the houses on the ‘Thabang’ side of our farm are run by AI systems that alert us if there’s an emergency, such as extreme temperatures, water shortages, or incorrect pH levels in the water, and other issues of that nature. AI has helped us a lot,” she said.
Uses of AI in agriculture
The report by Green Cape further highlighted that AI in the South African context is diverse in terms of usage:
- Precision agriculture: Sensors, drones, satellites, and big data allow farmers to monitor soil quality, crop conditions, weather patterns, and pests. Companies like Aerobotics provide actionable insights to maximise yields.
- Vertical farming: AI helps manage temperature, humidity, and lighting for indoor farms, making production more efficient and sustainable.
- Animal husbandry: Tools developed monitor livestock behaviour, feeding, and milking, providing farmers with alerts and recommendations to enhance animal health and productivity.
- Food processing: AI increases efficiency, quality, and safety in processing facilities.
Green Agri, an information and resource portal, stated that farmers can use AI-powered tools to keep digital records, analyse historical and real-time weather data, and predict potential plant and animal disease outbreaks.
“AI also provides customised recommendations based on local conditions, helping farmers make informed decisions while reducing environmental impact.”
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