A new partnership between UK-based AGRIVI and the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation aims to boost productivity and income for small-scale farmers through generative AI and practical digital tools.
In a groundbreaking move aimed at modernising agriculture in Barbados, a new partnership between AGRIVI, a UK-based farm management software company, and the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) is set to leverage generative AI to boost productivity and farmer incomes. The collaboration brings AGRIVI’s AI Advisor, a sophisticated digital tool, to small-scale farmers across the island through platforms like WhatsApp, facilitating direct communication with government bodies.
AGRIVI, established in 2013 by founder and CEO Matija Zulj, has long been a leader in agricultural software solutions, providing real-time data insights and operational efficiencies to farmers worldwide. In 2023, the company integrated an AI Advisor into its platform, designed to offer small farmers crucial advice on agronomy operations, financing, market prices, and more, thereby levelling the playing field traditionally dominated by larger, more technologically advanced farms.
“Traditionally, advanced agricultural technology has been in the hands of medium-to-large farms,” Zulj explains. “Our mission is to democratise this technology, making it accessible to all, regardless of farm size or economic standing.” The AI Advisor in Barbados is a pivotal development for the predominantly small-scale farms on the island, which have faced challenges with adopting digital tools due to financial and operational constraints.
The AI tool operates seamlessly on messaging apps like WhatsApp, which boasts over 2 billion users worldwide and supports more than 50 languages. This user-friendly approach allows farmers to access expert agricultural advice without needing to adapt to new habits or technologies, a significant barrier in the past.
The local adaptation of the AI Advisor is tailored specifically for Barbados, utilising AGRIVI’s comprehensive agronomic database in conjunction with local insights provided by the BADMC. This includes specific data on local farming practices, financial aid, and government support structures, ensuring advice is contextually relevant.
Moreover, the AI Advisor plays a role in data collection for compliance and sustainability programmes, assisting farmers in aligning with industry standards while boosting their productivity, thereby reinforcing the supply chain for major commodities on the island.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy by AGRIVI to partner with governments and major agricultural stakeholders globally, providing this technology at no cost to farmers. Zulj highlights the importance of governmental roles in supporting farm productivity and sustainability: “Offering every farm, regardless of size, access to expert knowledge and advice via familiar platforms at any time represents a significant leap in the digitalisation of global agriculture.”
Although details remain sparse, there are hints that similar initiatives may soon be rolled out in other regions, including parts of Europe, Latin America, and Asia, indicating a rapid global shift towards digitised farming operations.
This collaborative effort in Barbados not only promises to enhance sugarcane yields—a staple of the Barbadian economy—but also sets a precedent for how emerging technologies like AI can transform traditional agriculture, offering new economic opportunities and resilience against challenges such as climate change and market volatility. As the world continues to adapt to technological advancements, such partnerships demonstrate the potential for wide-reaching impact in modernising agricultural practices worldwide.
Source: Noah Wire Services
