AI shows potential in climate-smart agriculture mechanization in Africa

With the global population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, food security is one of the most important objectives of our time. The agricultural economy employs 65–70 per cent of Africa's labour force and typically accounts for 30–40 per cent of GDP according to the World Bank. With the population in Africa estimated to reach about 2.6 billion by 2050, it is now important that agriculture and food systems be reviewed in order to find innovative approaches at improving food production and utilisation to enhance food security. Being a high-priority sector for the African economy, agriculture, broadly comprising farming and forestry, livestock (milk, eggs and meat) and fisheries, is on the verge of massive transformation with a greater focus on technology integration. Considering the spectrum of the sector, agriculture is still mired with challenges spread across the value chain and needs better optimisation of operations.