The Agricultural Revolution: Embracing AI for Optimal Farming

Professor Nana Awusi Mensah of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is encouraging farmers and other agricultural professionals to embrace artificial intelligence (AI).

Speaking at the 3rd International Conference on AI in Ghana’s Food Chain organised by Ghana Society of Animal Production and KNUST, he urged agriculturists to recognize that AI is here to stay and to learn how to apply it effectively in their work.

Complementary Tool, Not Competitor:
Professor Mensah emphasized that AI isn’t meant to compete with humans but to complement their efforts, accelerating tasks and enhancing outcomes across all areas of life.

He stated that by viewing AI as a valuable tool, agriculturists can improve production and reduce delivery times, ultimately increasing efficiency.

For example, a task that might take a person three hours could be completed by an AI system in as little as 30 minutes.

Challenges and Solutions:
Despite the immense potential of AI, Professor Mensah acknowledged several significant challenges to its widespread adoption.

The primary hurdles include a lack of necessary infrastructure, unstable internet access, and a deficit of data from agricultural operations.

Additionally, many farmers lack the localized systems needed to make their work more efficient.

However, he expressed optimism, stating that with time, the Ghanaian government can build a stable internet infrastructure that would enable seamless AI applications, such as the automated feeding of poultry and the milking of animals.

Call to Action for Researchers and Policymakers:
Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources-KNUST, Professor Dadson Awunyo-Vitor, also urged researchers to extend their work beyond the laboratory and focus on serving the needs of their communities and farmers.

He also called on policymakers to provide leadership that supports digital transformation, from connectivity to funding and regulation.

He addressed farmers directly, acknowledging that their on-the-ground experiences are invaluable.

He referred to them as the digital generation that will drive Ghana’s agribusiness transformation.

“I envision a system where a farmer in Kumasi could receive an SMS alert from an AI system detecting early signs of disease in their livestock”, Prof Vitor stated.

AI in Poultry Farming:
Dr. Boris Baidoo, Vice President of the Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers (GNAPF), underscored the importance of integrating AI into the poultry business.

He highlighted how an effectively implemented AI system could assist with feed production and poultry care.

Dr. Baidoo echoed the calls for government to build a robust and stable internet infrastructure across Ghana, enabling poultry farmers to access and utilize these valuable systems on their farms.