FAO showcases AI-driven agriculture solutions at Zimbabwe Defence University

Harare, Zimbabwe – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has spotlighted how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping agriculture and food security in Africa during a recent guest lecture at the Zimbabwe Defence University (ZDU), highlighting practical technologies already being promoted and deployed in Zimbabwe and across the continent.

The lecture positioned AI as a strategic accelerator for transforming agrifood systems to be more productive, resilient and inclusive, in line with FAO’s vision of Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life.

Speaking to 35 defence studies scholars, policymakers and practitioners, the Assistant FAO Representatives-Programmes, Tendai Munyokoveri and Food Security and Agricultural Livelihoods Assessment Specialist, Dowsen Sango, demonstrated how data analytics, machine learning and digital tools are now being applied across the full agricultural value chain from climate prediction and pest surveillance to irrigation management, advisory services and food safety systems.

From climate intelligence to smart farms: AI in action on the ground

FAO outlined how AI is being used to strengthen climate resilience and agricultural productivity, particularly for smallholder farmers who are most exposed to climate shocks.

“AI-powered predictive models are enabling earlier detection of drought, water stress and extreme weather, allowing farmers and institutions to make timely decisions on planting, harvesting and resource allocation,” said Dowsen Sango. “These approaches support national early warning systems and proactive responses to food security threats, reducing the cost of late humanitarian interventions.”

At the core of FAO’s approach is a growing suite of AI-powered platforms that combine satellite imagery, geospatial data and machine learning to turn information into action. These agro-informatics tools enable more targeted, timely interventions by strengthening data collection, analysis and sharing across institutions.

FAO also highlighted the WaPOR portal, which provides open-access insights on agricultural water productivity across Africa and the Near East. By enabling direct data analysis, WaPOR supports smarter irrigation planning and climate-smart water management, particularly in water-scarce regions.

Another key system showcased was the Agricultural Stress Index System (ASIS), a satellite-based early warning tool that flags crop water stress and drought risk. ASIS helps governments and partners identify high-risk areas early and act before losses escalate.

In Zimbabwe, FAO is supporting precision agriculture technologies that optimise water and fertilizer use through sensor data, satellite imagery and machine learning. Smart irrigation solutions such as DripTech-Daab Dconnect allow farmers to remotely monitor pumps and soil moisture, improving water-use efficiency in drought-prone areas.

Drone-based services are also being promoted for crop mapping, yield estimation and early detection of pests and nutrient deficiencies, particularly in high-value crops such as citrus and nut trees

One locally developed innovation highlighted during the lecture was CROPFIX, an AI-enabled pest and disease diagnostic tool created by a Zimbabwean youth-led startup. The platform uses image recognition trained on more than 25 000 local field images and works in low-connectivity environments via WhatsApp and text messages, supporting early warning and rapid response to pest outbreaks among thousands of smallholder farmers

Digital advisory services, food security and responsible AI governance

Beyond the farm, FAO demonstrated how AI is transforming agricultural advisory services and decision-making systems. AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants, developed in partnership with ministries of agriculture and academic institutions, are helping to address the high extension worker-to-farmer ratios common in Africa by delivering real-time, local-language agronomic advice via mobile phones.

At national and global levels, FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) uses AI and machine learning to analyse food security data, forecast crop failures and identify emerging risks, enabling governments to act before crises escalate. In Zimbabwe, AI-enabled crop monitoring tools such as EOSTAT are improving the accuracy of crop statistics and yield predictions, strengthening evidence-based planning and policy formulation

FAO also emphasized that the expansion of AI must be accompanied by strong governance and ethical safeguards. During the ZDU lecture, FAO highlighted its commitment to responsible, human-centred AI through initiatives such as the Rome Call for AI Ethics and partnerships with governments, universities and technology companies. Key risks including data quality, unequal access, bias and digital exclusion are being addressed through policy support, capacity building and investment in national digital ecosystems.

Aligning AI with Africa’s development priorities

Tendai Munyokoveri highlighted that AI is not an end in itself, but a tool to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s food security and resilience agendas.

“By integrating AI into climate-smart agriculture, food safety, logistics, market access and inclusive finance, FAO aims to empower smallholder farmers, reduce losses along value chains and build agrifood systems that can withstand climate, economic and security shocks,” she said.

The engagement at the Zimbabwe Defence University underscored the growing relevance of AI not only for agriculture, but also for national resilience, food security and strategic planning. As FAO continues to scale up digital and AI-enabled interventions in Zimbabwe and across the continent, partnerships with academic institutions and policy thinkers are expected to play a critical role in shaping informed, ethical and locally adapted innovation.