Arabfields, Nairobi and Algiers — In a continent where agriculture remains the economic backbone for millions, two landmark initiatives unveiled in the past 48 hours signal a pivotal shift. On one front, the FAO has forged a bold partnership with Kenya to deploy AI-powered drones for crop monitoring. On the other, Algeria has launched a smart irrigation pilot in Oran’s orchards. Fueled by artificial intelligence, these efforts target post-harvest losses and water scarcity, promising higher yields and greater climate resilience.
On November 1, under Nairobi’s clear skies, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced a strategic alliance with the Kenyan government. Dubbed “Drones for the Green Harvest,” the program will deploy 500 AI-equipped drones across East Africa’s breadbaskets, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Fitted with multispectral sensors, the drones will provide real-time diagnostics of crop health, pest infestations, and weather threats.
“Post-harvest losses in East Africa hover around 30% of total output, an unacceptable waste that robs communities of income and food security,” FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu told reporters. The initiative aims to slash those losses by 20% by 2030, saving millions of tons of grains, fruits, and vegetables. Backed by European funding and private-sector partnerships with tech giants like IBM, the project will also train 10,000 local farmers in digital tools. In Kenya, where agriculture employs 40% of the workforce, the program aligns with President William Ruto’s “Big Four” modernization agenda.
Thousands of kilometers away, Algeria’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development took a parallel leap on November 2, inaugurating an AI-driven smart irrigation pilot across 500 hectares of citrus and olive groves in Oran wilaya. A network of connected sensors monitors soil moisture, ambient temperature, and plant water needs in real time. The AI platform, co-developed with the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRAA), optimizes water delivery, cutting waste by 40% while boosting yields by 15%.
“With creeping desertification and recurring droughts, Algeria can no longer rely on traditional methods. This Oran pilot is a concrete response to the climate emergency,” Agriculture Minister Abdelhafid Henni declared at the launch in Bir El Djir. The 50-million-dinar (roughly €350,000) initiative will support 200 family farms and undergo a two-year evaluation before potential nationwide rollout. In a country where agriculture accounts for just 12% of GDP but consumes 70% of water resources, the technology could transform Maghreb oases into models of sustainability.
Announced within hours of each other, the twin projects underscore a continent-wide trend: AI as the engine of “Agriculture 4.0.” Across sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb, where climate change threatens 100 million agricultural jobs by 2050, according to the World Bank, such tools could double export revenues, Kenya alone targets a doubling of coffee and tea sales, while promoting inclusion for women and rural youth often sidelined in traditional value chains.
Challenges remain. Internet connectivity is patchy in remote areas, and upfront costs could widen inequality. “Inclusive training and subsidized access are essential to ensure drones and sensors don’t benefit only large estates,” warns Fatou Diallo, agro-tech expert at the University of Dakar.
As COP30 looms, these African breakthroughs send a powerful message: the continent is no longer merely a victim of warming, it is becoming an innovator. From Nairobi to Oran, AI is planting the seeds of a greener, better-fed future.
