Artificial intelligence in agriculture: opportunities for farmers

Disclaimer: This article is created solely for informational purposes and is not aimed at promoting any products, services, companies or specific solutions. All descriptions are generalized and illustrate the potential of artificial intelligence technologies in agriculture. No suppliers, brands, or commercial products are mentioned or advertised.

Introduction: AI Assistant for farmers

Agriculture provides people with grain, meat, vegetables and fruits, but farmers face many difficulties: drought, lack of workers, expensive fertilizers, crop losses due to diseases or pests. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that can work as a smart assistant, helping to save resources, protect crops, and simplify farm management.

AI acts as a tireless agronomist who monitors the field, or as “eyes in the sky” that notice problems in large areas. These technologies are already being used in farms all over the world. In this article, we will explain how AI can solve farmers’ daily tasks — from watering to caring for livestock — through generalized scenarios.

What is AI? A simple explanation

AI is a set of tools that allow computers to analyze data, find problems, and propose solutions. Here are the main technologies that can be useful in agriculture.:

• Machine learning: A computer learns to distinguish between healthy and diseased plants by analyzing their images, similar to how a human learns from experience.
• Computer vision: Cameras on drones or cars “see” the field, detecting weeds, fruit ripeness or signs of drought.
• Sensors (Internet of Things): Devices in soil or on animals measure humidity, temperature, or health status, and AI processes this data.
• Drones and satellites: They work as scouts, filming fields from the air or from space to identify problems in large areas.
• Robots: Autonomous machines perform sowing, weeding or harvesting without a driver, saving time.

These technologies can be used by both large and small farms, often through simple applications or affordable devices.

The possibilities of AI in agriculture

AI can help to cope with the tasks that farmers are concerned about.: how to grow more with less cost, how to protect crops, how to manage a farm with a shortage of workers. Below are 10 generalized scenarios showing how AI solves these problems.

1. Saving water for crops

The problem: Drought threatens crops, and watering “by sight” leads to overspending of water.

AI capabilities: Sensors in the soil measure humidity in different areas of the field. The AI analyzes the data and creates a map showing where more water is needed and where less can be done. This makes it possible to use water efficiently and maintain plant health.

2. Precise application of fertilizers

The problem: Fertilizers are expensive, and their uneven application leaves some plants without nutrition.

AI capabilities: Sensors detect which nutrients are present in the soil. The AI creates a plan, indicating where and how much fertilizer is needed to avoid overspending and provide the plants with the necessary nutrition.

3. Pest control

The problem: Pests such as insects destroy crops, and pesticides increase costs and damage the soil.

AI capabilities: Drones with cameras capture fields from the air. AI analyzes images and identifies areas with pests, allowing only problem areas to be treated, which reduces the use of chemicals.

4. Protection against plant diseases

The problem: Diseases such as fungus spoil crops, and they are often noticed too late.

AI capabilities: Cameras on the field or drones take pictures of plants. AI analyzes leaves and stems, finding early signs of disease, which helps to take timely measures to protect the crop.

5. Autonomous seeding equipment

The problem: The lack of machine operators slows down the sowing, and hiring workers increases costs.

AI capabilities: Tractors with computer vision and GPS can operate without a driver, performing sowing with high accuracy. Such machines save fuel and speed up work on the field.

6. Livestock health monitoring

The problem: Livestock diseases, such as lameness, lead to losses if they are not noticed in time.

AI capabilities: Sensors on animals track their movement and behavior. AI analyzes the data and warns about possible health problems, allowing timely intervention.

7. Optimization of animal feed

The problem: Feed accounts for a significant portion of expenses, and improper diets reduce productivity.

AI Capabilities: AI analyzes the nutritional needs of animals and makes up rations so that cows or sheep produce more milk or gain weight faster, while reducing feed costs.

8. Reduction of transportation losses

The problem: Grain or vegetables deteriorate during delivery or storage due to inefficient routes.

AI Capabilities: AI plans routes for trucks, taking into account the weather and road conditions, in order to reduce delivery time and maintain product quality.

9. Weather forecast and droughts

The problem: Unpredictable weather makes it difficult to plan sowing or watering.

AI capabilities: AI analyzes weather data and predicts droughts or rains, helping farmers prepare for climate change in advance.

10. Product quality control

The problem: Low-quality vegetables or meat reduce profits, and manual verification takes time.

AI capabilities: Cameras on the production line analyze products. AI detects defects such as fruit stains or damage to carcasses, helping to select only high-quality goods.

AI in the world: global trends

AI is actively used in agriculture around the world, showing areas that can be useful.:

• In arid regions: Drones and sensors help conserve water by supporting crops in conditions of scarcity.
• In Asia: Mobile apps give small farmers tips on crops and market prices.
• In Europe: AI reduces the use of pesticides, making products environmentally friendly.

Governments often support farmers with subsidies for technology, and digitalization centers provide information about available solutions.

Do you want to know how drones help protect crops? Read our article [link to the article].

What AI can bring in the future

AI will continue to evolve, opening up new opportunities.:

• More production: Technology is helping to increase yields for a growing population.
• Climate resilience: AI predicts droughts and suggests sustainable crop varieties.
• Automation: Jobs take on manual labor, compensating for the shortage of workers.
• Ecology: Precise watering and fertilizers preserve soil and water.

Problems of AI implementation

AI has potential, but its implementation is difficult.:

• Cost: Sensors and drones require costs. Possible solutions include subsidies or equipment rentals.
• Communication: The Internet may be weak in rural areas. Some technologies work without a permanent connection.
• Knowledge: Not all farmers are familiar with AI. Training through agricultural centers can help.
• Accessibility: Technology should be available to small farms. Cooperatives and low-cost applications solve this problem.

Conclusion: AI for a sustainable economy

AI is an assistant that can support farmers by helping to save resources, protect crops, and simplify work. From irrigation to livestock care, these technologies make farms more sustainable and efficient.

What tasks in your household do you want to simplify? Share it in the comments and we’ll tell you how AI can be useful!