AI is already used by 17% of farmers worldwide — McKinsey

Around 17% of farmers worldwide are already using artificial intelligence in their day-to-day work, according to McKinsey. Adoption is particularly strong among farmers in the Americas, where AI is being used for production planning and analysis of data collected by farm machinery.

Farmers are using chatbots and other AI tools to help set up combines, choose crop protection application strategies, and analyze information gathered by tractors and other equipment during planting, crop treatment and harvesting.

Interest in these technologies is growing as fertilizer, diesel and other production costs rise. AI can help farms plan operations more accurately, reduce costs and improve production efficiency.

At the same time, only around 4% of farmers currently pay for AI solutions. The high cost of new technologies and difficult economic conditions in the agricultural sector are still limiting broader commercial adoption.

Experts also note that AI cannot fully replace agronomic experience and field observations, especially during unusual weather events. AI-generated recommendations therefore still need to be verified and adapted to the specific conditions of each farm.

Tags: farmers, fertilizers, diesel fuel, AI