Nairobi, Kenya — The transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture, particularly for East African smallholder farmers, will be unlocked not by sophisticated technology alone, but by trust, ethical data sharing, and farmer-centric design, according to a high-level roundtable held in Nairobi on October 28, 2025. The “AI for Agri” forum, hosted by The Embassy of The Kingdom of The Netherlands and Yielder, brought together innovators, researchers, and partners to assess the pathway for a successful AI revolution in the region’s crucial farming sector.
A key reality check was presented by Bart Pauwels, Agricultural Counselor at the Dutch Embassy, who noted that even in the technologically advanced Netherlands, only about 15 per cent of farmers have shown interest in AI adoption. This low uptake underscores that transformation is driven by inclusion and adoption, not merely innovation. Pauwels stressed the urgency of blending Dutch expertise with Kenyan ingenuity to ensure smallholder farmers are equipped with tools that genuinely enhance yields and reduce waste, thus making AI a true force for empowerment. This sentiment was echoed by Alexander Valeton of Yielder/farmbetter, who asserted that for farmers to reap benefits, AI solutions must be simple, seamless, and built around their everyday realities.
The discussion swiftly moved to the “lifeblood of AI”: data. Jasper Grosskurth, Managing Director at Dalberg Research, highlighted the critical need for quality, well-structured, and shared data to power effective algorithms. He pointed out that Africa and Kenya have a unique opportunity to build smarter, more inclusive data frameworks from the ground up, avoiding the fragmentation seen in other regions. Grosskurth urged stakeholders to prioritize data integrity, accessibility, and local context to ensure AI solutions are both relevant and trustworthy.
Designing an environment conducive to AI adoption was at the core of the first session, with Almut van Casteren, Co-Founder of eProd Solutions Limited, cautioning against repeating the mistakes of past fragmented IT initiatives marked by poor data quality and a lack of farmer trust. She emphasized that AI must simplify the work of farmers and cooperatives, not introduce complexity. Participants agreed that success should be measured not just by efficiency and profit margins, but also by equity and inclusion, ensuring youth and women benefit. This requires strong partnerships between government, the private sector, and research, coupled with continuous feedback loops.
The sensitive issue of data sharing was led by Emmanuel Makau of Mercy Corps AgriFin, who emphasized that while AI relies on data, this must not come at the expense of farmers’ rights. He differentiated between rightful data owners and data processors, asserting that all sharing must be built on trust, explicit consent, and clear communication. The consensus reached was a guiding principle for the sector: “open where possible, closed where needed,” balancing the need for collaboration to unlock efficiencies in the value chain with the protection of individual privacy.
The roundtable closed with an optimistic vision, guided by Vandana Thottoli of SNV, of a human-centered AI future where every farmer has access to smart tools that make farming more profitable and sustainable. The collective reflection confirmed that for East Africa to become a leader in smart, inclusive agriculture, innovation must be combined with supportive policies, digital literacy, and affordable financing. Ultimately, the forum concluded that AI acts as a bridge, connecting knowledge, technology, and people, paving the way for a more resilient food system rooted in transparency and collaboration.
