AI adoption grows in African and Indian agriculture to combat climate change

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being utilized to bolster agricultural resilience against climate change in Africa and India. In Africa, the third Innovate Africa Challenge, launched by Smart Africa in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aims to scale proven AI solutions. The initiative focuses on practical technologies for crop forecasting, pest detection, and water management to assist farmers facing irregular rainfall and droughts.

In India, the agricultural sector is integrating AI to manage weather uncertainty and resource constraints. While AI offers potential for improved irrigation, fertilizer application, and market intelligence, discussions are shifting toward ensuring productivity gains benefit farmers directly. Experts emphasize the need for a human-centered model supported by public digital infrastructure and farmer data rights to ensure economic benefits reach smallholders rather than just tech platforms.