AI Tools Offer Agricultural Gains but Risk Excluding Smallholder Farmers
AI tools have the potential to significantly increase agricultural productivity, but there is a risk of excluding smallholder farmers if these tools are not tailored to local contexts. Smallholder farmers, who make up around 80% of farmers in developing countries, face challenges such as limited access to improved seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, mechanization, and weaker infrastructure. The Conversation highlights the yield gap between the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa, where maize yields in the U.S. often exceed 10 tons per hectare, compared to 2-3 tons per hectare in parts of Africa. 
